Strong support network softens
bumps in the road

by Jade Ho

I am currently the facilitator of the Richmond Women's Support Group. Our meetings take place at the Women's Resource Center at 7000 Minoru Blvd. every second and fourth Monday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Many of us also attend the Holistic Night which is held every third Monday.

I first attended the Women's support Group when it was facilitated by Donna M. I liked attending the meetings and I felt pampered at the Holistic nights. The treatments I tried out were crania-sology, healing touch and reika, new things which I would never have experienced if the Group had not taken me there. Later in the year, Donna approached me and asked if I would like to facilitate the group. I saw it as an opportunity to develop my leadership skills and I excitedly agreed.

I was previously involved in Cape Town, South Africa, with a Sunday Brunch Group for all types of mental illness. It was started and run by consumers only. We met at a restaurant, chatted about our week and provided support to each other. It was an informal group; we went out afterwards and phoned each other as well. We became close knit and I made a few personal friends as well.

I was also involved with a bi-polar discussion group in Cape Town which met monthly. I greeted people at the door, served refreshments and jointed in the discussions. The person who started the group was bi-polar and had created a web site with information, hand-outs and books which he got from the Internet and an international bi-polar conference attended in the US.

Facilitating the Richmond Women Support Group is different from the Sunday Brunch group and the Bi-polar group entirely. It is up to the members to decide how the group is run and what they like to do. We usually have a general chat and go with the flow.

I came to Canada on my own and the Support Group has opened up a way for me to make new friends and also made me independent, motivated and busy. This has improved my life-style and my self-esteem. I attend meetings with Network coordinator Helen Turbett and the other Network Group Facilitators to share ideas. I was also involved with the Circle of Hope and City Fest this year which helped me to learn more about Canadian culture.

Helen is a very pleasant and easy person to talk to and I find her a good support when I need someone to talk to. Its great to know there is someone you can go to share your issues with and just have someone listen to you. The lending ear is what the Network is all about and I am pleased to be one of the many people who are making our lives richer through it. May we grow stronger with the years to come!