Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa (PSO) is a non-profit member-driven organization founded in 1991 by a handful of consumer/survivors of the mental health system. PSO has grown into a dynamic group of over 200 consumer/survivors from all walks of life. Membership is free to psychiatric survivors. All of PSO's voting members, directors, volunteers and staff are consumer/survivors of the mental health system. PSO staff and volunteers offer individual and group peer support, and inform and educate the community about the needs of consumer/survivors. We offer telephone information and referrals to resources and supports in Ottawa. Members drop in to meet friends over tea or browse PSO's mental health library and resource boards. PSO offers a safe and non-judgmental environment for consumer/survivors to get together, support each other, and build upon our skills. If you wish to receive an information package including our brochure and our latest issue of the PSO Update, please call PSO Monday to Friday between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m.
PSO Drop-in & Resource Centre
PSO members are welcome to gather in our comfortable drop-in centre, where we exchange ideas and information, and enjoy each others company over a cup of tea or coffee. Office resources available to members include computers with internet and e-mail access, a photocopier (5 cents per copy), a fax machine and a lending library. Community information boards are available for browsing. The Community Resource Guide, produced by PSO, is available free of charge to members. PSO staff offer information and referrals to members and the public over the telephone; please call during our office hours, which are Monday to Friday, 12:00 to 4:00p.m.
Education & Empowerment at PSO
On an individual basis, PSO encourages and supports members to advocate for their own needs. We hold regular information sessions for our members to promote awareness about their rights, about community resources, and about healthy alternatives which may supplement traditional mental health services. PSO holds information sessions about government policy and legislation that will affect us as consumer/survivors, and we seek membership feedback and comments about policy and legislative changes. To ensure that the consumer/survivor voice is heard within the greater mental health system (and within the social services sector), members participate on a wide range of committees and coalitions at the local, provincial and national levels. PSO delivers presentations to sensitize social service providers and governmental planning bodies about the nature of mental illnesses, and how specific planning and implementation measures may help meet consumer/survivors' needs. For further information about PSO's activities and how you can get involved, please call us.
Peer Support at PSO
Peer support encourages us to help ourselves. PSO runs a self help group every Wednesday from 2:00p.m. to 3:15p.m. The group has a specific topic for discussion or an open group where members can talk about what concerns them. A staff person usually facilitates the group. Please see the calendar for other support groups happening in Ottawa.
PSO Drop-in & Resource Centre
PSO members are welcome to gather in our comfortable drop-in centre, where we exchange ideas and information, and enjoy each others company over a cup of tea or coffee. Office resources available to members include computers with internet and e-mail access, a photocopier (5 cents per copy), a fax machine and a lending library. Community information boards are available for browsing. The Community Resource Guide, produced by PSO, is available free of charge to members. PSO staff offer information and referrals to members and the public over the telephone; please call during our office hours, which are Monday to Friday, 12:00 to 4:00p.m.
Education & Empowerment at PSO
On an individual basis, PSO encourages and supports members to advocate for their own needs. We hold regular information sessions for our members to promote awareness about their rights, about community resources, and about healthy alternatives which may supplement traditional mental health services. PSO holds information sessions about government policy and legislation that will affect us as consumer/survivors, and we seek membership feedback and comments about policy and legislative changes. To ensure that the consumer/survivor voice is heard within the greater mental health system (and within the social services sector), members participate on a wide range of committees and coalitions at the local, provincial and national levels. PSO delivers presentations to sensitize social service providers and governmental planning bodies about the nature of mental illnesses, and how specific planning and implementation measures may help meet consumer/survivors' needs. For further information about PSO's activities and how you can get involved, please call us.
Peer Support at PSO
Peer support encourages us to help ourselves. PSO runs a self help group every Wednesday from 2:00p.m. to 3:15p.m. The group has a specific topic for discussion or an open group where members can talk about what concerns them. A staff person usually facilitates the group. Please see the calendar for other support groups happening in Ottawa.