CIF Project Summary

Special Action Committee (SAC)

The Special Action Committee (SAC) is a group of dedicated peers who have been involved with Vancouver mental health services for many years. The key organizers volunteer to source, organize and host public education events for local peers. Funding for the events is provided by the Consumer Initiative Fund program, Vancouver Mental Health and Substance Use Services.

Key members of the SAC were former members of the past Special Advisory Committee, a legacy of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services days. Back then the Vancouver mental health teams sent representatives from their local client advisory committees to a larger community meeting for networking and to gather info to share back with their home committees.

Since 2015, the new SAC has organized approximately three workshops a year, covering a wide range of topics. Popular topics are repeated allowing more peers from across the city to attend. Attendance at the sessions averages about 35 people, with some hot topics attracting over 50 attendees.

• Open to those in Vancouver with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
• Participation is free

Topics Previously Covered

November 2023
A talk from Pain BC about resources for managing chronic pain

November 2022
BC Disability Benefits and Transition to OAS. Ask an Advocate, go here for more info

November 2021
A talk on Personal Safety

November 2020
Coping with Anxiety and Depression During a Pandemic – a talk by Dr. Tigerson M. Young

February 2020
A Workshop on Brief Action Planning by the Centre for Collaboration , Motivation and Innovation

October 2019
Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, GIS and Other Benefits

June 2019
Changes to Disability Benefits

March 2019
Mental Health Act

October 2018
Transit Safety

July 2018
Eating Well for Your Wellbeing (a with a VCH Registered Dietician from the VCH Healthy Living program)

February 2018
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

October 2017
Mental Health Housing, a joint presentation by VCH Mental Health Supported Housing and BC Housing (videotaped)

June 2017
VCH Crisis Response Team

March 2017
Sleep Disorders

October 2016
A workshop for those on BC Disability Benefits  – Changes Provincially and New rules on Assets for Persons on PWD II

June 2016
ECT and Depression (Dr. Joseph Tham)

February 2016
ECT and Depression (Dr. Joseph Tham)

October 2015
Changes to Provincial Benefits after Age 65 (Disability Alliance BC)

June 2015
Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications (Dr. Ric Procyshyn)

February 2015
Provincial Benefits for People on PWD after 65

October 2014
Employment Services for People with Disabilities (Service Canada/YWCA)

June 2014
Service Canada re Federal Benefit Programs

January 2014
MH Team client input requested regarding client Transitions to Other Community Services

September 2013
RDSP in-person workshop (PLAN BC)

February 2013
Changes to Disability Benefits (BC Coalition of People with Disabilities)