8 - Thse Cadian Champian, Tuesday, Jauary 5, 1999 -Agency helps afflicted help themselves BY IRENE GENTLE The Champion Krawczyk swallowed what she hoped were enough pis to end ber life. OnIy instead of dying, she landed in a hospital psychiatric ward. The doctors said she bad a borderline personslity disorder and was suffering from suicidai depression. She was 16 years-old. Today, Ms Krawczyk is still diagnosed witb s bar- derline personality disorder but she is also the 27- year-old program director at Teacb, Empower, Advocate for Community Healtb (TEACH). TEACH is Halton's first and only agency address- ing the information and advocacy needs of the mental- ]y ilI by the mentally ill. It is estimated that one in five Canadians will suffer from a mental ilînesa at some point in their lives. Despite being open juat tbree montha, the word is out about TEACH. Its grand opening in December attracted 65 people, almoat double wbat was anticipat- ed. As well, tbey receive about 100 e-mails per day. Sometimes, it's about companionsbip. Ms Krawczyk bas appmoximately 16 clients she visita just ta keep company. Most often TEACH acta as an information service, dohing out the facts on everytbing from medication to î ws i apsyhiari wad wthpeople wbo were twice my age and obviously more ill than 1 was," she recalled. "It was a temifying experience." TEACH was the brainchild of Chris Geisbrecbt, wbo petitioned the Ministry of Healtb witb bis con- cept of an information and sdvocacy agency mun for the mentally ilI, by those wbo know firstband wbat the challenges are. At first, bis ides was rejected. He took bis own lîfe 'before be could see it brougbt ta fruition. Now TEACH is mun by people wbo believe in that premise as passionately as Mr. Geisbrecbt did. It oper- ates on a $77.000 budget provided by the Ministry of Health. "It's very mucis a legacy ta Chris," said Ms Krawczyk. TEACH has also been good ta Ms Krawczyk, who has managed ta stay out of hospitals for the past five years. She bas struggled ta keep her life on track. So she is thrilled ta be working to belp others find their way, too. 'I'm the only staff member right now. I'm busy and 1 love it," she said. TEACH's helping hand extends ta the families of people suffering from mental ilînesses. "A lot of families have difficulties gaing ta visit a loved one in a psychiatric ward because there's a stig- ma," she said. 1I offer them as much information as possible on the particular ilîneas. I tell them what it's like and what tbey can expect." For the sufferers themselves, Ms Krawczyk uses information ta combat what she sees as a current ten- dency ta medicate lirat and explain later. 1I know fmom personal experience that there's les and less tberapy and more and more medication given out," she said. Despite this, many don't have gaod information on the drugs tbey're ingesting. "Some people we talked ta had no idea that the medication they're taking had certain side effecta, said Ms Krawczyk. She is careful not ta îay blame at the feet of the medical community. "Witb cutbacks there's an awful lot of clients as compared to nurses," abe said. "We're trying hard not to step on anyone's toes. The health professionals we've talked ta have been very supportive of us." In the new year, TEACH is hoping to forge an even better relationsbip with local hospitals. "My goal is ta work directly witb the staff in hospi- tais to let people know we're out there," said Ma Krawczyk. In the meantime, Ms Krawczyk battles the stigma of mental ilîneas. "There are very high functioning consumers out there who want ta make a difference like myseif,"" she said. "We're people, too. We're entitled ta the same rights as otbers.À TEACH is located at 225 Main Street East, suite eight in Milton. For more information calI 693-8771 or e-mail teach@interhop.net Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Program director Christine Krawczyk hem been run off her feet ince the debut of TEACH, the only agency In Halton provldlng Information and advoca- cy by and for the mentally Ili. <-New ofikcer is on the beat College course is on the web Mitnhsanwpatri offcratre1yaeadlie hr oto i i Work and family responsibilities often make it diffi- independent study at times that suit tbem, yet appreci- police swote is 12 oecnsits oecently. . -He attended Carleton University in cuit ta pursue part-time studies, so Sheridan College is ste interaction witb fellow pupils and thse instructor. Constable Trent Cttaleclcy joined thse Ottawa, wbere he received a baclselar oft making it a little easier.. Applications are being accepted for the next session, tanks of the Halton Regional Police ans in law and sociology. He warked as8 Back fora third session since its launcb last year ia which begins January 16. To register or for more Service andI bas been assigssed to town. a purchaser, youth worker andI bike Sberidan's first course offered tbrougb the Intemet - information, contact Professor David Nowell at 845- Bain un Saskatchewan, Constable patroller for thse City of Camibridge prior Marketing on the Web. This unique learning opportu- 9430, ext. 2860 or via e-mail: david.nowell@sherid- Chalecky moved ta Cambridge at an ta bis appointinent with Hakton police. nity is designed for mature students wbo thrive on anc.on.ca.