News and Events
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| GN: | Expectations during the holidays are so unrealistic. What’s the best way to deal with them? |
| EG: | At this time of year, we’re often invited to social and family gatherings we’d rather not attend. We may also feel we don’t have the physical or mental stamina to deal with the heightened responsibilities and expectations. Our focus group came up with some good ideas. “Acting in our own best interest.” We should try to separate what we look forward to from what we dread, so we can enhance the one and decrease the other. That may mean limiting our social obligations and deciding ahead of time whom we would really like to spend time with and under what circumstances. “Anticipation” is a great word. Remember how you reacted in the past during a demanding situation or when a relative brought up an unpleasant incident? Be proactive instead. For instance, you can redirect the course of a conversation by asking others about their interests. That way you won’t feel like a victim of unwanted scrutiny. |
| GN: | What about someone on a limited budget? |
| EG: | If money is tight, why not focus more on the spirit of the season? You could suggest limited gift-giving (in dollars and/or number of individuals). How about exchanging skills, talents and passions instead of merchandise? Try to avoid frenzied last-minute shopping, when desperation and overspending often take over. |
| GN: | Can anything counteract feelings of loneliness and isolation? |
| EG: | Maintaining existing support networks at this time can be crucial. If you belong to a club, sports team, support group or a spiritual organization, participate. Phone friends whose company you really enjoy. If you don’t feel like socializing but dread staying home alone, have a short list of alternative destinations: a museum, a library, the gym, a park. Establishing a routine is helpful for many of us. So is being part of some sort of meaningful activity. Volunteering can be an intellectual stimulus and a great way to meet new people. For really difficult days, there’s help at Tel-Aide, 514-935-1101, and Suicide Action Montreal, 1-866-277-3553. An infinite number of websites, including AMI’s own, offer information and support. |
Elizabeth Gluch animates a variety of wellness and lifestyle groups at the day hospital of the Allan Memorial Institute.
AMI-Quebec Wins Champion of Mental Health Award!
In the picture MC Graham Richardson, CTV Ottawa news anchor, presents Ella Amir, executive director of AMI-Quebec, the prize for the 2011 National Champion Of Mental Health in the community sector By The Canadian Alliance On Mental Illness and Mental Health
Seeking Nominations for the Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards
Communities rely on strong support from a number of sources, including volunteers, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. That support could include activities like raising funds for community projects, giving employees time to volunteer or creating a new after-school program for at-risk youth, to list only a few examples.
Every day, local businesses, not-for-profit organizations and thousands of individuals volunteer their time, energy and skills to improve the well-being of families and communities across the country. They help make Canada stronger by creating change and inspiring hope.
The Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards is a new program that has been created to celebrate these Canadians who make a difference. A total of 17 awards will be given at both the regional and national level. Recipients will be eligible to identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant for $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000 (national award).
Those chosen for the awards must be nominated. The first call for nominations opened on July 12 and will close on September 9, 2011. Award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony to be held in early 2012.
Do you know an individual or group, a business or not-for-profit organization that is making a difference in your community? Recognize their contributions and show your appreciation by submitting a nomination.
To learn more about the Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards, please visit www.pm.gc.ca/awards
Mental illness as entertainment? Howie Mandel made it happen at our most successful fundraiser yet.
The status of RDSP
(Per email of January 11, 2011)
On March 4, 2010, the Government of Canada, through its Budget 2010, announced two enhancements to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), grant and bond. We are pleased to advise that the legislation to enact these changes received Royal Assent on December 15, 2010. The ‘carry forward’ and ‘roll over’ provisions will provide Canadians with disabilities and their families with more flexibility when saving for the future.
Please find below some questions and answers that we hope will assist you in helping your members and clients to understand and benefit from these new provisions.
What is the carry forward?
As people with disabilities and their families may not be able to contribute regularly to their RDSPs, the carry forward allows beneficiaries to claim unused grant and bond entitlements for a 10-year period (starting from 2008, the year RDSPs became available). In order to claim unused grant and bond entitlements, the beneficiary must be eligible to receive the grant and bond (at the time of the claim, the beneficiary must be aged 49 or under).
Grant and bond entitlements are based on the beneficiary's family income. The grant amount also depends on how much is contributed to the RDSP. For unused grant entitlements, the matching grant rate will be the same as what would have applied in the year the entitlement was earned.
When does the carry forward come into effect?
The carry forward comes into effect on January 1, 2011.
As it will take time to develop the electronic system to process these transactions, the functionality to administer the carry forward will not be available immediately. Therefore, 2011 carry forward entitlements are expected to be paid into RDSPs in early 2012.
Is there a special application form for the carry forward?
Whether an individual already has an RDSP, or opens an RDSP in January 2011 or thereafter, a special application form will not be required for the carry forward. Grant and bond entitlements will be calculated automatically.
What is the roll over?
The proceeds (or a portion thereof) from a deceased individual’s Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), and Registered Pension Plan (RPP) can be rolled over, tax free, into the RDSP of a financially dependent child or grandchild with a disability.
The amount of money rolled over into an RDSP will form part of the $200,000 lifetime contribution limit. For example, if there is already $50,000 in private contributions in an RDSP, the amount rolled over from an RRSP, RRIF and RPP cannot exceed $150,000.
A matching grant will not be paid on RRSP, RRIF and RPP contributions.
When does the roll over come into effect?
The roll over comes into effect July 2011. This measure will be effective for individuals who pass away after 2007.
BACKGROUNDER
The RDSP is a long-term savings plan that helps people with disabilities, and their families, save for the future. To be eligible, a person must be:
- under the age of 60;
- a Canadian resident with a social insurance number; and
- eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (Disability Amount)
There is no annual contribution limit to the RDSP, but there is a lifetime contribution limit of $200,000.
To help people save, the Government of Canada will pay a matching grant of up to $3,500 a year, depending on the amount contributed and the beneficiary’s family income. There is a lifetime limit of $70,000 in grant payments.
The Government of Canada will also pay a bond of up to $1,000 a year into RDSPs of low- and modest-income Canadians. There is a lifetime limit of $20,000 in bond payments. No contribution is necessary to receive the bond.
Grants and bonds will be paid until the year the beneficiary turns 49.
For more information about the RDSP, grant and bond, please visit www.disabilitysavings.gc.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800-622-6232). TTY users may call 1-800-926-9105. A detailed brochure – available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, audio cassette, CD, DAISY, and computer diskette – is also available by calling these numbers.
Should you wish to make an inquiry by e-mail, please send your message to rdsp-orgs-reei@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
An open house and launch of our cookbook Food for Every Mood was held in our office on November 29. More than 150 guests learned about AMI programs, sampled recipes, and purchased books. The cookbook, our fundraising committee’s latest project, includes a variety of recipes and artwork by persons facing mental health challenges. It was welcomed with enthusiasm; in less than a month more than 675 books were sold. The revenue will support AMI programs. Many thanks to all those who were involved in the production of the book, its launch, and continuing sale.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD COOKBOOK ORDER FORM
Cookbook Project Committee:
Arlene Berg
Jean Bethel
Joyce Cohen
Lynn Nulman
Karen Waxman
Shelly Shalev
Sharleen Young
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Pam Litman
Fundraising Consultant
514-486-1448
pam@amiquebec.org
Wear the button, spread the word
One in five. Twenty percent of the population. That's how many Canadians will be affected by some degree of mental illness in their lifetime.
When you wear a 1 in 5 button, you'll be teaching people that mental illness isn't some rare misfortune that only besets strangers. Rather, it can and does intrude uninvited on any family anywhere, even the next door neighbors.
AMI created the 1 in 5 button as a fundraising project to help fight stigma and increase understanding of the prevalence of mental illness. The buttons cost $5 each and are available at the office.
Call 514-486-1448 and button up your overcoat, your T-shirt, your jacket, your...
For more information on these upcoming events call 514-486-1448.
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