Patients in Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s inpatient mental health unit now receive an activity book created by a Chatham woman who drew on her own experience with hospitalization.
Andrea LaForce developed the book, which is given to every patient admitted to the unit. The hospital says it offers simple, step-by-step activities and prompts meant to help patients focus on the present moment, reduce overwhelming feelings and provide structure when it is hard to process information or make decisions.
LaForce, who has bipolar disorder, said the book grew out of a personal binder and detailed schedule she used during recovery. It later became a simplified resource for others.
“I wanted to build a physical resource that offers a gentle structure to lean on,” LaForce said. “When a person is in crisis, their ability to process information goes way down, which is something that is hard to understand unless you have experienced it. So, I created this resource as a guide for those who need help getting through the next five minutes.”
The book is designed to require minimal mental effort, breaking things into manageable steps and offering activities that encourage grounding.
Dan Saunders, the hospital’s manager of mental health and addictions programs, said the book reflects one of the priorities in its 2025-2030 strategic plan.
“This resource is a great example of how we are continuing to enhance services focused on mental health and addictions, one of the priorities identified in our 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan,” Saunders said. “Having this activity book available to every Inpatient Mental Health patient is another practical tool to support them during their hospital stay and as they navigate their mental health journey. We’re grateful to Andrea for drawing on her own lived experience to create a resource that can make a difference for others.”
LaForce worked with Charlene, a social worker on the unit, to get the book to patients. She said the project was part of her own recovery.
“In a lot of ways, creating [this book] was part of how I got better,” LaForce said. “I was organizing what I felt I couldn’t control – my thoughts – and eventually that became something I could share with other people. Getting this resource into the hospital was a huge milestone for me.”
LaForce has made other versions, including one for the workplace that her employer has adopted. She hopes to expand into schools, community centres, workplaces and youth organizations.
“The goal is to expand into schools, community centres, workplaces and youth organizations…anywhere people might need immediate, compassionate mental health support,” she said.
Organizations interested in the resource can contact the hospital’s communications department at communication@ckha.on.ca.
