Things it might be helpful to know about this program:

• FAME Family and Caregiver Support Services offer a range of supports to individuals who are acting as a caregiver for someone who has a mental health concern. Services include monthly peer support groups, one-on-one counselling, with similar services available for children and youth.
• To be eligible for this program an individual must be a caregiver for someone who is experiencing mental health and/or addiction-related challenges.
• Eligibility for service will not be denied on the basis of language or disability. Supports will be arranged for as needed.

Once in service you can expect the following:

• To be provided with a service agreement, outlining expectations of clinicians and clients.
• To have an assessment completed at the beginning of service to identify areas of need.
• To have a service plan developed at the beginning of service based on areas of need and goals.
• To have scheduled appointments, offered in the office, community location, virtually or by telephone.
• To be connected to a primary clinician who works within a collaborative care team. This model of service ensures clients will have continuity of care and minimized service disruption if a primary worker is unavailable for a period of time.
• Emotional support, providing a safe space to speak openly and share feelings around being a caregiver for someone living with a mental health issue.
• An opportunity to become part of a community of other caregivers through group participation as a means of normalizing your experience in the caregiver role and fostering awareness that you are not alone with your struggles.
• Education and support to develop an understanding of service navigation of the mental health system within the service area.
• Information and support to improve your understanding of the mental health diagnosis and treatment of someone you care for.
• Resources and referrals to other services that will benefit the caregiver.
• Support to develop a personalized safety plan, identifying stressors and defining self-care strategies as a means of coping with challenging situations as a consequence of your caregiving role.
• Coaching on how to respond if someone you care for is experiencing instability of mental health, including community resources, emergency services, and/or crisis services within the mental health care system.
• Coaching and support to effectively communicate with someone you care for that is experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
• That your status and progress will be documented.
• Clients can be discharged for the following reasons:
• Client choice
• Service completion
• Frequent no-shows, cancellations, or dropping out of the program
• Your will be made aware of the agency’s complaint process and how to access it.
• You will be made aware of your right to privacy, how your personal health information is being kept secure, and how and under what circumstances the agency will collect, use or disclose your personal health information.

If you would like the pdf version of this program description click here.