Laura Feeney highlights importance of BCHS mental health program

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Laura Feeney was 22-years-old when mental illness overcame her. Her illness left her incapable of comprehending the reality of the world around her, and she was admitted to the Mental Health Inpatient Unit at the Brantford General. Laura spent three months recovering in the unit from complex hallucinations where she could see, hear and even taste things that were not really there.

Laura’s illness forced her to leave her job, which was a source of added stress in her family. She couldn’t care for herself while she was in the Mental Health Inpatient Unit, and was glad for the care she received from the BCHS staff.

From left: Recreational Therapist Debbie Court, Grateful Patient Laura Feeney, Dr. Shreekant Sharma and Recreational Therapist Brad Mears.

“The staff gave me the best care ever,” said Laura.

When a patient is admitted to the Mental Health Unit, nursing staff begin a psychological assessment, which is then completed by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist directs a patient’s individual daily care through ongoing assessments and communication with a team comprised of nurses, pharmacists, social workers, occupational therapists, therapeutic recreationists, family doctors and other psychiatrists along with the patient’s family. Doctors visit on a regular basis and can refer patients to any of the many treatment programs offered at the hospital.

Laura had a long way to go to beat the psychosis that left her paralyzed with anxiety.

“I knew I was sick,” she said. “I knew that. I got it.”

She said many people came to visit her when she was first admitted to the Brantford General, and many pointed out that she was not the same person they knew before. Mental illness had taken over her life and had completely changed the way she interacted with others and the world around her.

Medication was one avenue to help ease Laura’s symptoms and allowed her to focus on learning strategies for living with mental illness.

While a patient, Laura accessed a relaxation course that included guided imagery, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation and she was introduced to the Acute Day Program at Brantford General, which she attended for three months.

The Acute Day Treatment Program is tailored to educating individuals about mental illness and addictions and providing strategies for treatment. The skills learned help to reduce a patient’s symptoms, and reduce relapses and re-hospitalization. Therapy also empowers individuals to influence their own wellness and recovery. The focus is on life and social skills training, recreation and forging beneficial links within the community.

The service is tailored to adults in Brant County who are 16 years of age or older and are seeking help for a mental health issue with or without addiction.

A psychiatrist can make a referral to the program and the process begins with a team-based approach to treatment.

The Mental Health and Wellness program at the BCHS, with its team of expert medical care providers, helped Laura to set goals and learn to keep herself – and her mind – occupied with tasks that would distract her from having negative and distressing thoughts.

“That’s one really important thing I took from here – to keep busy,” she said.

“I don’t know when I’m going to be 100 percent better, or if I will, but I am trying my best to recover,” said Laura, adding, “If it wasn’t for the BCHS, I would probably not be here today.”

Laura, now 49 years old, still visits the Brantford General regularly to receive the medication that she takes to control her symptoms, although she admits she has improved enough that she doesn’t require as many prescriptions. The medication clinic allows individuals such as Laura to receive ongoing personal support, education and monitoring of their medication regimen.

“It certainly has been a long journey and sometimes it is one minute at a time or hours at a time,” said Laura, “but it’s working.”

It’s been many years since Laura Feeney suffered a mental health crisis, but today she is still able to cope with her mental illness by recalling skills she learned as a patient of the Brant Community Healthcare System.

She isn’t alone in her struggle. The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that by age 40, about 50 percent of the population will have or have had a mental illness. In any given year, 1-in-5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness, approximately eight percent of adults will face major depression at some time in their lives, and one percent of the population will be affected by schizophrenia.

As Laura learned first-hand, when crisis or illness impacts you or a loved one, the Brant Community Healthcare System is here to offer you exceptional healthcare in your time of need. Now is the time to make a difference, please consider making a gift TODAY that is meaningful to you, and support a strong healthcare system for our community.

Your involvement, through a donation of any size, will allow the BCHS Foundation to purchase essential patient equipment and invest in vital programs not funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, provide essential resources to maintain the exceptional level of compassionate patient care, and invest in new and innovative technology.

To make a donation, visit the BCHS Foundation website at bchsysfoundation.org or call 519-751-5510.

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For more information on how you can make a donation or offer your support to the 12 Days of Giving campaign, please contact the BCHS Foundation at 519-751-5510 or by email at foundation@bchsys.org

NOW is the time to make a difference, please consider making a gift today that is meaningful to you, and support a strong healthcare system for our community.

Thank you to our many generous sponsors!

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When crisis or illness impacts you or a loved one, the BCHS is here for you in your time of need.

Your gift today could help save a life tomorrow.