Teddy Bear Craft Class at PEP

The Nipissing Family Program at People for Equal Partnership in Mental Health (PEP) celebrated an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant for their Teddy Bear Craft Classes with MPP Monique Smith and Grant Review Team member Carol Ann DiBartolomeo tonight.

Smith said she is delighted to be able to play a part in program and recognizes the importance of not just supporting the person living with mental illness but also supporting the family and loved ones affected as well.

“The program that they have developed here through the creation of teddy bears is a therapeutic program is an interesting initiative, it’s really creative, and I think will help a lot of families certainly here at PEP Place.”

As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Smith said that she understands the importance of the classes and sees a potential of provincial growth for the program.

“I think that Pep does a lot of creative good work and certainly is a good model for a number of other communities and I’ve been working together with the folks at NEON and at PEP to try and promote what they’re doing here and to bring it to other communities throughout the province.”

Executive Director of PEP, John Bowcott, is pleased with the grant and knows the impact the Teddy Bear program will have on the members of The Nipissing Family Program at PEP.

“”It’s a way for the family members to get together and to get to know one and other, to share their common stories and make themselves feel like you know they are not the only ones out there who are dealing with these problems of family members with mental illness.”

Bowcott says mental illness affects everyone not just the person afflicted with the illness and that often the needs of the family members affected by the illness are left untreated.

“There’s a lot of support for those who are going through a mental illness but there is very little support for the family, and this is where we’re hoping to raise the awareness through this Teddy Bear program and to get the family members to come out and to have some fun.”

The one year $7,600 grant will cover the costs of the facilitator, craft materials and administrative supplies, but more importantly it will allow family members that have loved ones living with a mental illness to come together and share experiences and support one and other.