The fourth annual Champions of Mental Health Gala was held May 11, with six special awards handed out to individuals and groups who better the lives of the community's mentally ill.
Presented by the North Battleford Branch of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan, it was held at the Dekker Centre in North Battlford.
The first presentation of the night was the Supportive Employer Award, this year given out to Ron and Grace Lang of Sobeys. Accepting the award on behalf of his parents was Scott Lang. Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford administrator Linda Shynkaruk made the presentation.
"Part of what makes us holistic individuals is the work we do," said Shynkaruk. "It, of course, helps us financially, but more importantly it gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment and makes us feel that we are a contributing member of society."
Shynkaruk shared the nomination made by mental health therapist Casey Sitter, who wrote, "Ron and Grace are very supportive employers working in conjunction with the Vocational Therapies Department at Saskatchewan Hospital, North Battleford. They have previously [employed] and currently employ a number of our clients with the commitment to long term employment and sustainability. The staff at Sobeys North Battleford has been encouraged to look beyond the stigma that is associated with mental illness. They work diligently to foster an environment of acceptance, care, honesty and integrity."
A Mental Health Employee Award was presented by Lucy Bendall to Terry White, accepting on behalf of nominee Ruth Reshke-McKay, who was unable to attend the gala.
Bendall described Reshke-McKay as an employee who had made a positive impact on the lives of individuals suffering from mental illness. She was nominated by many of her co-workers as well as clients.
Trained as a recreation therapist, Reshke-McKay has spent the last 25 years of her 30 year career at Battlefords Mental Health Centre. She has taught life skills and has been innovative in introducing programs to enrich the lives of the mentally ill. Even though she is currently on medical leave, clients still call to inquire after her well-being.
"Ruth is a devoted, dedicated and caring employee," said Bendall. "She is a direct and practical person, with a wonderful sense of humour. Every client, regardless of their issues was treated with respect and dignity. She was able to address the individuals concerns and needs and assist them to a richer, fuller life as they coped with their illness."
Often clients shared their fears and worries with her, said Bendall.
"She listened not only with her ears but with her heart."
Maureen Kopp also received a Mental Health Employee Award. In presenting the award, Shirley Bedford, president of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan, said Kopp, who has been with Edwards Residential Services Inc. for 15 years, has a special skill with people.
"Her personality lends itself to working with people who have disabilities."
She has a wonderful rapport with clients, said Bedford. She is always smiling, engages their trust and is reassuring to them. She is very dependable, and in no way "flappable."
Kopp started as an in-house shift worker and is now the manager of supportive independent living program for Edwards Residential Services Inc. Much of what she does at the residential level makes the outpatient work psychiatric nurses do with their clients easier and more effective, said Bedford.
"She's just a wonderful person," said Bedford.
Receiving an award for Mental Health Volunteer was Joyce Salie. In making the presentation, RPN Carol Funk said Salie is enthusiastic and has demonstrated excellent communication skills. Clients, staff and fellow volunteers appreciate her open, honest and sincere approach.
As a volunteer at SHNB, said Funk, "she celebrates with us and she grieves with us when asked to lead a memorial service for staff or resident."
In addition to her regular chaplaincy commitment, Salie leads occasional spiritual services, delivers a Christmas message and shares fellowship with the staff, residents and visitors, said Funk.
"Even when faced with personal demands and challenges, Joyce always makes time for us."
Highlighting a letter of recognition from Prairie North Health Region's Volunteer and Spiritual Services Manager for the Battlefords area, Darlene Kingwell, she said for the last 20 years Salie has been involved with the SHNB Chaplaincy Committee, a committee that rotates weekly Sunday services at the SHNB Chapel, along with celebrations, visitation and referrals to individual residents. Kingwell also wrote, "She has also been very active in our long term care facilities and acute hospital in officiating memorial services as part of the bereavement program in palliative care."
The Battlefords RCMP were honoured with a Community Based Mental Health Organization Award. RPN Judy Lavoie was the nominator and also presented the award.
"Often an RCMP officer is the first individual who has contact with the client or family in challenging and emotionally charged situations. Clients are sometimes found in difficult, stressful, dangerous and even life-threatening situations," she said.
The RCMP are on the front lines in the city, on the highways, outlying communities as well as the legal system, often in crisis, she added.
They are the lifeline to medical intervention at times, said Lavoie. In hospital they are often called to assist with volatile situations.
"They come quickly at all hours to help. They have responded in a sensitive, respectful, compassionate and understanding way."
Often, their presence alone is enough to de-escalate a difficult situation, she said.
"They do fulfill their mission to serve and protect."
The final award was a surprise to its recipient, Shirley Bedford of North Battleford.
Executive director of RPNAS Bob Allen described Bedford as a very special person, one who has touched and continues to touch the lives of many people. Her life, he said, has been spent in the service of others, giving selflessly to others and going above and beyond.
"I first met her in 1969 or so when we were students at Saskatchewan Hospital. She graduated and became an RPN in 1972. She continued to advance her education in hospital administration and has been a continual champion of professional development, serving wherever the work needed to be done."
He said she has been constantly involved on a volunteer basis with the RPNAS in many capacities, both locally and provincially and nationally, serving in every possible capacity, from volunteer secretary, registrar, council member, president elect and currently president.
"Our archives are full of her work on committees and it is impossible to list all of her contributions," said Allen.
She faces life with a tremendous sense of humour is always ready to help others face life's difficulties and challenges, he said.
"She is the consummate professional and exemplifies those qualities we admire in others. In a profession that is quite misunderstood by most, she intuitively knows what we are there for."
He went on to say. "A colleague of hers shared a moment of an experience with me. She and Shirley were leaving the hospital one afternoon recently, and a long term client came running up and said, 'Mrs. Bedford! Mrs. Bedford! Remember that time we went out for coffee a long time ago? We had a good time, didn't we?' Shirley turned to her colleague and said, 'That's really what it's all about, isn't it?'
In conclusion, Allen commented, "In her report as president this year, she said, 'The will to persevere is often the difference between success and failure.' We are all fortunate she continues to see the need."
The evening concluded with entertainment. Cochin Community Players presented the one-act play Bloom.
