App for emergency persons. AAMFT Conference

"This web app aids those who are deployed to emergency response events in maintaining their own physical, emotional, and social well-being. It provides resources for before, during, and after deployments that help to responders to take care of daily needs, monitor their own functioning, reflect on experiences, and more. A variety of responders (e.g., physicians/nurses, EMTs, police/fire personnel, behaviorists) will find this app useful. Caring for oneself is essential in order to do this kind of work well. https://firstrespondertoolkit.com/" I wanted to share the above information with you. I was going to try it myself first, but I am assured that this is all legitimate. Yesterday was busy, but today I will have a few breaks with the same amount of four hours instruction. I require 20 hours of continuing education yearly and I was concerned that this year I would not be able to get courses, boy was I wrong. I have had so many invitations, that it is first come, first sign up. I don't accept invites unless it is from my associations or universities. I have checked into some interests and found that they were suspicious, so I don't even bother anymore. Much of what I have attended is not new, however some is and I will want to share with you. Because there is so much information and I still have to share my notes, I will stream line it, like I have above. I have talked to you about trauma, but I never had a kit to help you. I will update you on any information or research. If the States continues providing me with this, I will not divorce them. They are advertizing their universities and maybe today I will be able to visit them during my breaks. Virtual is making it possible for me to attend. My pets are getting older and needier. They have given me such joy and continue to do so, that they are my priority in keeping them feeling secure and happy. This pandemic has allowed me to appreciate the benefits of telehealth and so I shall continue with this stream. Will talk again next week. I am enjoying the conference, though navigating was a trial and error. I shall be more prepared today and in future. Keep safe.

Two Day Conference - AAMFT tid bits

Remember when I said I was not going to renew my membership with the States? Well, I paid my dues for another year since they offered a two day free conference which begins today. I just can't seem to divorce from the States. It's been another busy week and I have decided to take a few weeks off near Christmas, from the 20th to Jan 4. I don't normally do that because people become very sad during that time. However, everyone is much sadder because of COVID and elections and etc.....so I am going to take the time off and take a break from all this continuous education etc....and get back to my book. I don't want to stop writing because I am busy. I am now 100% on line or telephone though I have not eliminated person to person completely. There is always a window. Normally I do telephone because people don't have a computer or idea how to use one. Technology was not kept up with everyone, even the young. There is always a learning curve and someone always gets missed. I am sorry I am not enlightening you today. I do have to go now. Keep safe, wear your mask and stay 6' away from people not in your household. Reach out if you can to someone who is alone or elderly or sad. A phone call can go a long way. What do you think? www.redigondapsychotherapy.com silvaredigonda.ca (books for fun only)

www.silvaredigonda.ca

My new web site has just been completed and is now up and running. www.silvaredigonda.ca

Updates on Hallowe’en, seminars, elections! - Food for thought

Once again it has been a busy week. Even my vehicle is sick and so it is getting treatment as we speak. It is on its last wheels. I told you I would update you on my Hallowe’en experience. This is the first year that I never put out anything, not even a pumpkin though they were very cheap. I didn’t because I did not want to encourage children to go trick or treating at my home. Normally I will get 125 + and that is not counting their parents, dogs (I have treats for them too) etc…This year I put out the sign that I was invisible due to Covid and to help themselves to treats. I had about a total of 10 children in all. There was barely a dent in what I had out. I was impressed at how meticulous each child was as she/he carefully chose a treat. I was also impressed at how no one took the entire bowl. They were so polite and sweet. It was nice to see. Aside from seeing clients, I have also attended meetings, seminars and conferences (I need to send a reminder for a certificate). I have a drawer full of certificates just in case I am asked by my college for proof. I am going to have to think of a better way, rather than keep filling up drawers. Perhaps I shall keep them on a usb stick. Good idea. There has been quite a controversy this year about racism and I did hear lectures on what I wrote earlier about the Oriental community, and also black lives from three different men speakers. I have decided not to share all that. You know that racism is wrong. You know that prejudice is wrong. Who did impress me the most was one man at a meeting as a guest speaker and not an educator. He is a reporter and he spoke about unity. He talked about the Jane and Finch corridor and how the university, York, helps. I remember being told years ago about how gang sexual assaulters would persuade young girls that they shouldn’t bother reporting it to the police because they are even worse. He talked about how newspapers are full of black men in the crime section and not very much in the community pages. As a reporter he was able to influence and he spoke about a florist who gave him a dozen roses and asked that he give 11 away. This was for community spirit. What this reporter did as well is plant a dozen roses and when people walk by his house he will cut off a rose and give it to them to start a conversation. His talk during this meeting had me reflecting on what I can do for my community. My community is not underserved or is it? My community is changing. Someone started a community alert system and conversation and so residents were contacted and of course I am one. They recommend services and if someone doesn’t perform we all know about it. If someone steals or goes canvassing, we all hear about it. It is very proactive and it unites. What I liked about the reporter is that he too unites. With the US elections I wasn’t expecting such a close race. It tells me that this election is very polarized. I completed watching the 9/11 history series and contemplated how connected we all were. I had tears watching the towers go down at the time. I remember how we all stood united. I remember how Canada helped. With the elections in the States, I see the polarized division and only hope that we all unite once again. I love the States. I had actually wanted to work there, but now with my registration, I am no longer allowed to work there for more than a year without jeopardizing my license. Oh well. New York I shall visit once again and Disney World, you are my favourite happy place. The States is my neighbour regardless who is elected. This morning 24 hours news reported that wholesale foods won’t allow their employees to wear poppies. What can I say to that? Have a good weekend. I should be back to normal in my reports next week. If you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask. Today I am going to finalize my new website with shopify. I will give it a go. It is a Canadian Company and I am able to connect to the post office here which will be easier for delivery costs world wide. The web site for that should be www.silvaredigonda.ca I am now at www. silvaredigonda.com. I shall keep my American site for advertising my psychotherapy services. I am adding a calendar for psychotherapy as well, but I won’t be able to provide many appointments. I have no time to write my book. It is still a 20pages. Have a good weekend. Be safe. Keep your distance and wear your mask. This pandemic is very serious and very real. Bye for now.

Hallowe'en and bringing you up to date

The weekend is here once again. It has been a busy week. I had a full day education with one organization, a meeting with an association. Another meeting with a guest speaker today and of course I see my clients in the midst of all this. TGIF. I cannot believe Hallowe'en is here. Hey, I even managed to go out and buy a mini bottle of champagne to celebrate the American elections, but I will have to wait for next weekend to celebrate that with pizza, because I have an early, early morning Wednesday. Tomorrow is my first virtual Hallowe'en party celebration. I am not quite sure how it works, but I am game. It is with the Sisters of Crime. Men are members too and that is how I was introduced to the organization. My book is still suffering due to all the other work I am doing. However, it is all in my brain cells. Tomorrow night should prove interesting. I have been debating what to do with kid's who knock on my door. Aside from when I have been out of the country or working the night shift or going out trick or treating myself, I have never missed it. This year I did not decorate my house except for one table cloth runner which I bought in the States last year. The rest of my fun stuff is still in its storage waiting for next year. I debated about what to do. So, finally I decided that kids will still get their treats if they come around. I will put out a sign tomorrow (orange) and say that this year I am invisible and they are to help themselves. I shall put the chips and chocolate and they can take whatever they want. My neighbourhood is full of kids and they are so very cute. I just cannot stop myself, my bad. Please parents take the sanitizer with you, stay 6' apart and better still celebrate at home with popcorn, games, scary kid movies. However, I know that in my neighbourhood, they will still come out and I just cannot ignore that. I'll let you know how that goes next week. I have lots of information for you and I will make some time to get it out to you. Stay safe. Enjoy the holiday and make time for fun.

Acute discrimination and the Asian-white mental health gap during COVID -19 by Dr Wu (notes)

I attended this one hour session provided by Dr C. Wu, Associate Professor at York University’s Department of Sociology. He stated that before the pandemic there was a low level of harassment and threats in Canada and the U.S.A. This changed. He showed a slide of an Asian woman in Vancouver (I believe it was) being punched. There have been over 2500 anti-racism incidents in the States. In Canada - over 40% report more racism. What are the consequences? When people experience racism, it could lead to higher rates of mental incidents. In China Town (downtown Toronto) a middle aged woman at the Dragon Mall started swearing at a man, calling him “a fu——-g Chinese.” There has been 30 methods of data collected in the States. Longitudinal studies depict Asian Americans having a higher level of discrimination. There is a gap between white and Asian immigrants, over time - First wave in March there was a rise in discrimination and a huge increase in mental issues. Asian and white immigrants tend to be healthier (younger/healthier). During the 2nd wave there was a decline in gap. The findings were that Asian immigrants had an increase in mental health issues. In Canada there is a similar pattern. What can be done? Group - specific mental health interventions and support in response to COVID 19 pandemic. Health professionals play a key role in countering racism and its consequences. Ensure medicine as a field continues to care for all minority communities. We need to find a way to stop all this hatred. People are born here; belong here. The Chinese community is less likely to use mental health services. In Western society we are more open to it. When President Trump calls COVID 19, the Chinese Virus there is a spike in Asian mental issues each time. Research has shown that since the outbreak, there is prejudice against Asians. In data analysis only Asians show correlation to the pandemic. Historically the Chinese were discriminated against in the States and Canada. There are historical issues and now the pandemic has worsen it. This educational piece is on U-tube and Facebook. Any errors are my own. I have a virtual meeting and a one hour educational piece regarding couples in crises and brief therapy today. Monday I have an educational day with a Professor from the States regarding racism. Next Month I will be attending 8 hours at two hour intervals regarding Ignatian spirituality. I will be sharing with you as much as possible. If you ever have questions, I am more than happy to try to answer them. I am also working on a web site with Preet to list my books/ebooks on shopify. You will be able to order my books from all over the world. I am also starting a new online calender for new clients in my private clients. I am afraid I don’t have much room or openings but since I am paying for the service, I should be using it. Take care. Tomorrow is my day of rest. Talk soon.

How and when to deliver care in-person vs. virtually (notes) CAMH

Yesterday I attended an one hour education period with CAMH virtually. Tomorrow I have another hour with York University. I don’t want to fall behind too much and so what I have decided to do is to write my notes to you and keep a copy of that for myself, record my education hours on my resume and for my college and appropriate association and then I can carry on with the other stuff. So, as you know I have gone from in person at my home office to virtually or telephone. However, there are still times that I do see a person in my office. I went from an office that was comforting and warm to an office that is almost sterile. My books I donated to my old professor, a Jesuit. He is now in a retirement home and so I asked him to donate them to the library when he is finished. He has told me that to read all those books a person can get a fine education. I did not donate the books he wrote. I have only one shelf of books in my office right now and another in my other home office. I re-placed my comfy love seat with wooden/metal chairs which is easy to sanitize. I have cleaning supplies replacing cute ornaments on my filing cabinet. I have had one long term client in my home office and I could tell he does not like the changes. However, COVID has changed everything. Back to CAMH. The presenters were Sandra Easson-Bruno from North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services and Dr Allison Crawford - CAMH, General Psychiatry and Health systems Division, Associate Chiefs. I am always honoured to be invited. There was discussion regarding how overdoses skyrocketed in April, May and June. I see people who suffer addiction as well as their partners and/or families. Sometimes one doesn’t think he or she has a problem but arrives because of an ultimatum. There are different stages which I have written about before so I won’t elaborate. However, there are times when one really wants to get help and there the work can begin. The one suffering the addictions is the one who needs to recognize that he or she needs the help. When it comes to virtual therapy the presenter stated there was an indication that some are less vocal and they might disengage from treatment. Loneliness can increase. There was concerns about the family environment virtually. There are eyes there. I have noticed that myself especially with children. They know their parents are listening and therefore children won’t open up. Others I see use the therapy virtual room as a way of letting others know what they are saying. It is easy to tell when they start whispering with something they don’t want to share. Yes there are eyes as the presenters reported and I have noticed. With my weekly discussions of self/client care this is one topic which has been shared as we all experience virtual therapy in our care for others (I have missed last week and will also miss this week due to seeing clients and more education). In person, when I see clients, they are free to speak. There is no one listening except me. No one is standing by the door. They are safe and free. Another issue raised regarding the elderly is the circumstances of virtual when there is confusion with an elderly person, or a fall. I do see elderly people in my office and not on line. Usually a family member will bring them in and I encourage the escort to return in 50 minutes. I tell them where the local bakery is. CAMH is having 7000 virtual visits a month. I have gone from seeing people 99 % in person and about 1% by telephone to 99% virtually and 1% in person or communicating via telephone. I do try to encourage virtual. However people I see can afford to see me, either because of their EAP, Insurance or ability to pay my fee. I have decided not to increase my fees this year due to COVID. The presenters talked about Virtual mental health and the client’s experience. What happens when they cannot afford a virtual device? How can they access a device? How about their ability to engage? They also talked about those having no access what so ever to technology, not being able to see or hear. They talked about social isolation being huge. However, they also talked about great virtual programs. One of the things they mentioned is how many organizations where people depended on are now closed. I have heard complaints about that especially from the families of seniors. They talked about guidelines for virtual groups. Overall, a lot was covered in an hour. So now I will post the hour in my education platforms. My own thinking has changed since using virtual. If you read one of my previous blogs where I posted a paper regarding the ethics of virtual therapy, you will notice how I examined the pros and cons of virtual vs in person. Because of COVID I have had to move quickly to continue the care of my clients. I also had to consider my own health risk. I am six feet away from my clients in person. There is a sanitizer bottle near me and one near my clients. However, I do prefer to see clients virtually. I had to find a platform to keep my clients as safe as possible and so there are more expenses incurred for that service. After COVID I will continue to see clients virtually, because it offers a platform to those who can’t visit me because of distance, travel etc….I have noticed that some clients no matter how sick they are still wanted to see me but after COVID, they can from the comfort of their homes. The session I had with CAMH also stated they would send us the slides which I will be grateful for since they have forms I would like to have my clients compile if they wish since they can compare their virtual experience to in- person. I want to know the pros and cons my clients feel about virtual vs in person. I already have knowledge of that from clients who share it immediately without asking. There are also the guidelines for group work. I already know how to do group therapy but have never done it virtually though I offered it during the pandemic to one senior’s group. There wasn’t access or know how of virtual use. There went my offering. It is the thought that counts. No? So, I understand the concerns for those dealing with seniors. If there is a big company out there or even people who no longer have use for their devices, please donate them to CAMH or other organization who can provide it to people who don’t have access to technology. That can mean so much for someone suffering in isolation. There was also a request for that from hospitals during the COVID madness when it started. Please reach out to an elderly person by phone to just say hi. I have seen so much sadness because of the pandemic, but I have also seen so much caring from our people in Toronto as well. So many have stepped up to help others. And that helping of others is also therapeutic. It has emotional health benefits. I have two more educational events this week. There is another one hour talk from York University regarding Acute Discrimination and the Asian - white mental health gap during COVID -19. I want to share that with you probably on Friday if I can. Saturday I will be attending a virtual meeting with Canadian Association of Family Therapy (I also have to start recording hours for them as well) and a session early evening/late afternoon regarding brief therapy for couples in crises. It is all good. One of the mentions in the talk from CAMH is the effect this is all having on service providers. As for myself, I took an entire month off this summer. I am also taking the time and money to beautify my outside space. I started this fall and will continue in the spring. I want to spend as much time outside as possible during our short summer. The summer disappeared so fast. Take care. Don’t forget to focus on self care. Talk soon.