MHU-Survey Research &

Program Development
Salimah Walji-Shivji LLB, RSW, MSW, BSW Vice President
& General Counsel, Agecare
&
Patricia Mielcarek (MSW Student), Mariam Beawerwala
(MSW Student), Lauren Mar (Sociology Student)
 Agenda
• Project Summary
• Purpose/Goals
• Literature review
• Description & Demographics of population at MHR
• Research Method & Theory
• Data Collection & Analyzation
• Programs at MHU
• Questions

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 Project Summary
• This research is focused on creating successful
programs for the residents on the MHU at Skypointe
• The research came from an identified need to better
understand the residents, their mental health diagnosis
and impact on programming
• Research has been created and conducted using a
resident-focused approach

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 Project Summary
• Consultation was done with other mental health
organizations (CHMH & Claresholm Mental Health and
Addiction Center)
• A site tour was done Claresholm Mental Health and
Addictions Centre
• Results will be combined with academic evidence-
based research in creating achievable and realistic
programming
 Goals
• Primary goal is to develop a variety of programming,
accessible activities, group support, and technology for
MHU residents to enhance meaningful activities,
wellbeing and promotion of independence
• The secondary goal is to modify the common living
space and hospitality as per residences reported
preferences.

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 Goals
• Inquire about the common area living space, including
common areas of decor and food.
• Inquire about the use of technology among residents
• Assess the level of leisure activity enjoyment
• Inquire on residents vocational programming interests,
work experience, and long-term goals
• Assess interest for accessing peer support &
psychoeducational
 Literature review
• Boredom is often a concern expressed by residents
living in psychiatric settings
• According to research boredom is associated with
responses such as substance abuse, increase stress
and anxiety, depression, hopelessness and hostility
(Vodanowich & Watt 1999; Bracke et al. 2011;
Sommers & Vodanowich 2000)

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 Literature Review
• The literature reviewed indicated three recurring themes
that need to be addressed to effectively combat
boredom:

1. meaningful relationships

1. meaningful roles

1. having a sense of control and self-determination

 Literature review
• A Vocational Rehabilitation program offers the
opportunity to have a goal-oriented day thus reducing
the likelihood of boredom
• This kind of rehabilitation also focuses on the strengths
of the individual affording them self-determination and
self-governance

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 The Clubhouse Model
• The clubhouse model began with the Fountain House in
New York in the 1950s
• A clubhouse model promotes an environment where all
members and staff must contribute to the upkeep and
maintenance of the clubhouse building itself through
various jobs (Doyle, Lanoil, & Dudek 2013)
• This model takes a more strengths based and holistic
approach to recovery where the focus is put on what an
individual can do or is interested in doing (Bartz, &
Futterman, 2008)

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 The Clubhouse Model
• The aspects that most contribute to the success of the
clubhouse is the autonomy and self-governance rooted
in the values of the model
• The fundamental elements of vocational rehabilitation in
a clubhouse model include:

1. the right to meaningful relationships

1. a choice in the type of task being completed

1. a choice on the duration of each work activity

1. a choice in staff selection

 Technology

• Technology is currently being used in supporting adults

living with mental health diagnoses in care (Hu, 2015).
• The use of technology may be a great asset, tool and
addition to programing at the MHU
• According to the literature the use of technology can be
an effective way to support settlement and promote
independence

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 Description of population
• There are two sides on the MHU – the east is the
secured side and west is the unsecured side
• All residents are living with mental health concerns who
require a significant amount of support to meeting their
daily needs
• Ages range from 19 - 93
• SkyPointe MHU: Primary and Secondary
Diagnoses collected in June of 2019

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 Primary Diagnosis
25

20

15

10

0
Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Bipolar Affective Depressive Other Specific Other Primary
Disorder Disorder Episode Personality Diagnoses
Disorder
Totals Unspecified Other Paranoid Current Episode Mixed

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 Secondary Diagnoses
20

18

16

14

12

10

0
Total
Addiction-related Depressive Disorders Personality Disorders
Anxiety Disorders Cognitive Disorders Dementia
Bipolar Affective Disorder Other Secondary Diagnoses
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 Admission Information
West
12

10

0
Hospital LTC/SL Centennial Centre for Claresholm Mental Health Community
mental health and brain Centre
injury

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 Admission Information
East
18

16

14

12

10

0
Hospital LTC/SL Centennial Centre for Claresholm Mental Health Community
Mental Health and Brain Centre
Injury

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 Theoretical Approaches
• Clubhouse Model
• Systems theory (Person-in-environment)
• Strengths-based approach
• Resident focused philosophy
• Asset-based community development approach

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Current Recreational Programming

• There were around 126 activities offered in the month of

July for the east side, 55 of those occurred off unit
• 115 activities were offered for the west side and 52
occurred off unit
• The activities that occur off unit are open to all LTC and
SL residents
 Recreational Activity Themes
• There a large number of activities and programs
available for residents to attend at Skypointe MHU under
the following categories:
o Cognitive
o Physical
o Social Spiritual
o Emotional

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Current activities being offered to West

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 Limitations of Recreational
Programming
• Most programing is offered to the whole building-
including older adults – focused on the SL and LTC
residents
• Some residents require one to one support - East
• Number of staff available for East side support
• Portering not always possible due to staff ratio
• Cost of activity is a barrier to attendance
• Staff burn-out

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 Research Methodology

• Qualitative survey research questionnaires

• The survey (through 16 open-ended questions)
measured the following themes:

o Environment o Vocational
o Food o Recovery College interest
o Leisure o Groups and workshops
o Technology o Educational history

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 Research Methodology
• All questions were open-ended to include residents’
voice, needs and wants
• Resident feedback will be included to improve the MHU
and create programming according to their interests in
regards to vocational programs, introducing technology,
and peer support groups on the unit

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 Research Methodology
• Interviews were conducted with residents on both sides
of the MHU unit.
• Verbal consent was received prior to completing
interviews with residents.
• All residents were approached on two separate
occasions to participate in the survey
• Residents had the option to stop the survey or refuse to
respond to any question on the survey during the
interview
• Residents were entered into a draw to win a $20 gift
card for the participation in the research

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 Survey Participation
• 64% of the residents that were living at Skypointe during
the 2 weeks of data collection, were able to participate
• The data consists of 36 surveys, 33% of which were
from east and 66% were from west
• Out of the 26 residents on the east 46% participated
• Out of the 31 residents on the west 84% participated

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 Results
Environmental Concerns
East West
10

0
No Change Walls Seating Smoking Service Delivery Environemental
Changes
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 Results
Food
East West
12

10

0
Variety Too cold Snacks No change Larger portions Flavour
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 Results
Leisure
East West
12

10

0
Sports and Self Care Outings None Fitness Entertainment Cultural and Arts and Crafts
Games Spiritual

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 Results
Technology
East West
16

14

12

10

0
Camera Computers Group Independent No Phones Quilla Video Games
Technology
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 Results
Vocational Programming
East West
14

12

10

31
 Results
Recovery College
East West
16

14

12

10

0
Interested Not Interested Unknown

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 Results
Groups
East West
9

0
General Interest Not Interested Peer Support Psychoeducational Unknown
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 Results
Educational Background
East West
9

0
High School Completion Less than Highschool No response Post Secondary

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 Current Programing at MHU
1. Volunteer Life Skills Pilot Program
2. Tuck Shop
3. Horticulture (Garden centre)
4. Potential:
• Peer Support Learning Groups (psychoeducational
groups) - Partnership with CMHA

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Program Recommendations

Computer lab was the most popular response

regarding technology

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Program Recommendations

Example of one of the most recurring responses

for programming from residents was cooking

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 Program Recommendations
● Peer support groups- such as Alcoholics
Anonymous
● Outlined therapeutic focused peer support
and psychoeducational groups on various
mental health concerns
● To support residents in engagement and
understanding with their mental health
treatment

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 If money was no object
Residents have expressed they would enjoy a facility
which has a swimming pool and gymnasium to play
sports for general wellbeing and regulation activities

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Questions & Discussion

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 References
Bartz, A., & Futterman, R. (2008). Psychologically-based vocational rehabilitation for co-occurring
disorders: a manualized group treatment model. Journal of Groups in Addiction and Recovery,
3(3-4), 243-263. DOI: 10.1080/15560350802425016

Binnema, D. (2004) Interrelations of psychiatric patients experiences of boredom and mental health.
Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 25(8), 833-842. DOI: 10.1080/01612840490506400

Doyle, A., Lanoil, J., & Dudek, K. (2013). Fountain House: Creating Community in Mental Health
Practice. New York: Columbia University Press.

Hu, Y. (2015). Health communication research in the digital age: A systematic review. Journal
of Communication in Healthcare, 8(4), 260-288. Retrieved from https://www-tandfonline-
com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/doi/abs/10.1080/17538068.2015.1107308

Pattyn, E., Praag, L. V., Verhaeghe, M., Levecque, K., & Bracke, P. (2011). The association
between residential area characteristics and mental health outcomes among men and women
in Belgium. Arch Public Health, 69(1). DOI: 10.1186/0778-7367-69-3

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 References
Sommers, J., & Vodanovich, S. (2000). Boredom proneness: Its relationship to psychological‐ and
physical‐health symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(1), 149-155. Retrieved from:
https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200001)56:1<149::AID-
JCLP14>3.0.CO;2-Y

Vodanovich S. J. & Watt J. D. (1999). The relationship between time structure and boredom
proneness: an investigation within two cultures. The Journal of Social Psychology 139(2). 143-
152. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311975208_On_The_Nature_of_Boredom

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