The Self Advocacy Leadership Training Program SALT

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• The Self Advocacy Leadership Training Program
  (SALT)
• Prepared by Connie Benjamin, RSW
• Co-presenter Axcella Zelensky

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Todays Outline

• Description of the Self Advocacy and Leadership
  Training Program
• Axcella Zelensky sharing her experience with the
  SALT program
• Small group discussion
• Questions and closing remarks

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What is SALT?

• The SALT program helps people living with a
  mental illness to gain the skills necessary to
  become more effective advocates on the following
  levels
• Personally
• Professionally
• Politically

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What is Advocacy?

• Advocacy means being able to meet needs by
  speaking in favor of, or asking for something
  that helps you or someone else.

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Mission Statement

• To provide self-advocacy and leadership training
  through empowering, interactive workshops that
  support people living with a mental illness in
  making healthy decisions.

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Program Description

• The SALT program is composed of a series of 12
  psycho-educational workshops
• Each workshop runs for two weeks on Tuesdays and
  Wednesdays from 130-415 pm
• Between 6-10 participants attend each workshop
• Follow up support groups are offered following
  each workshop

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Program Description

• Participants register for individual workshops
  based on their interests
• A manual is given for each workshop
• A certificate is given upon workshop completion
• Workshops are interactive and include activities
  such as small and large group discussion, role
  plays, journaling, videos, games, skits and art
  work

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Eligibility

• People who
• Are between the ages of 18-64 years old
• Living with a mental illness
• Are able to concentrate and take part in
  challenging group activities
• Want to work towards making positive changes in
  their lives and community

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Workshops

• Communication Skills
• Dealing with Difficult Situations
• Self-esteem
• Stress Management
• Time Management
• Relationships Boundaries

• Money Sense
• Successful Goal Setting
• Managing Change
• Anger Management
• Wellness Recovery
• Preparing for work or volunteering

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Key Principles

• Group rules
• Participants are committed to practicing the
  skills learned within the workshops
• Workshops recognize the inherent knowledge and
  wisdom of participants
• The program continually evolves based on
  participant feedback

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Evaluating Program Success

• Workshop attendance rate is 88
• Workshop completion rate is 87
• The drop out rate is 13
• 100 of participants surveyed stated they would
  recommend the program to a friend in need of
  similar help
• 88 of participants surveyed expressed
  satisfaction with the quality of service received
• Definitions
• Attendance rate - number of people who
  registered for and attend the workshop
• Workshop attendance - number of people who
  attend and complete the workshop
• Drop out rate - number of people who attend but
  do not complete the workshop
• Survey refers to the CSQ-8 Quantitative
  Questionnaire

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Evaluating Program Changes

• Since the workshops have changed to be more
  interactive
• Participation has increased by 17
• The completion rate has increased by 28
• The drop out rate has decreased by 28

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Future DirectionsDevelop a Level 2 workshop
series that includes

• Advocacy...What is it?
• Understanding Stigma
• Understanding Government
• Knowing your Human Rights
• The Mental Health Act
• Advocacy Within Systems
• Advocacy in Health Care

• Community Participation
• Leadership Training
• Telling Your Story
• Advocacy in Action
• Starting a Peer Support Group
• Level 2 Facilitator Training

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Other Future Directions

• Evening workshops
• Increased one-on-one support

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Axcellas Story

• Axcella will share her experience with the SALT
  program.

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Small Group Discussion

• Each group will be given a topic to discuss
• Select one person to record your discussion
• Select one person to present your discussion to
  the larger group

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Contact Us

• Self Advocacy and Leadership Training
• (SALT)
• Connie Benjamin, RSW
• 780-414-6300
• www.cmha-edmonton.ab.ca

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References Resources

• Copeland, Mary Ellen (n.d.). Creating wellness a
  workshop with Mary Ellen. (Video)
  http//www.mentalhealthrecovery.com
• Branden, Nathaniel (1994). The six pillars of
  self-esteem. USA Bantam Books.
• Covey, Stephen, Merill, Roger, Merill, Rebecca
  (1994). First things first. USA Fireside
• Edmonton Financial Literacy Society Me and My
  Home workshop
• 780-944-1552
• Edmonton John Howard Society Anger Management
  Group 780-423-1635
• National Network for Mental Health (NNMH)
  http//nnmh.ca/contact.htmlConflict book
• Mental Health Commission of Canada
  http//www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages
  /default.aspx
• Cloud, Henry, Townsend, John (1995). Boundaries
  workbook when to say yes and when to say no.
  USA Zondervan