Amber Scott is the Canteen Manager and Patient-Oriented Research Lead at the Patient Client Family Council in Penetanguishene. In this episode of Underestimated Amber joins us to share her personal experience with mental health and self care and the benefits of Peer Support in this community.
The Patient/Client and Family Council (PCFC) – also known as PCFCConnect – is a non profit organization started in the mid 1990’s as a Consumer Survivor Initiative. The PCFC partners with mental health and addiction service providers across Simcoe and Muskoka region to improve the mental health care system. All PCFC staff and volunteers have personal experience with the mental health or addictions systems, either directly or supporting a loved one. The goal of the PCFC is to ensure that people living with mental illness and addictions have the best quality of life, both within the hospital setting and in the community.
The PCFC strives to have a strong voice in the mental health system by:
- offering support to patients and their families
- assisting with system navigation and offering resources
- representing service users on hospital committees, working groups and policy development/consultations
- sharing the client and family voice to partner for system improvements
- facilitating peer-led support and self-help groups and services
- providing Peer Support and transition services
- offering education, volunteer opportunities and supported employment opportunities
- networking with other regional and provincial Peer initiatives
The PCFC has offices located at both Waypoint and the Community Health Hub located in Midland. To learn more about the PCFC, visit pcfcconnect.org.
