SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT
The Low Vision Self-Help Association meets on May 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Church of St. John the Baptist, 233 Ste. Claire Ave. in Pointe-Claire. Joël Coutu will describe the birds he has observed in the Technopark Wetlands of St Laurent. Free admission. Call 514-626-2649. Friends for Mental Health offer a bipolar disorder and psychosis support group for caregivers starting May 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 750 Dawson Ave. in Dorval. Free. Call 514-636-6885. My Tool Box: The Building Blocks to Self-Care — McGill University Health Centre’s chronic disease self-management program will resume in May. They offer practical and interactive workshops developed by the University of Stanford to help individuals (and caregivers) manage the day-to-day challenges of living with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, cancer, asthma, fibromyalgia, hypertension and arthritis. Workshops are free of charge and offered downtown, N.D.G. and Pointe-Claire. These six-week, 2.5-hour workshops are offered at various times, including morning, afternoon and evening. To register, visit mytoolbox.mcgill.ca or call 514-934-1934, local 71585. The West Island Community Resource Centre is a communitybased, non-profit organization that offers West Island citizens the resources and information they need, by phone, email and in person. They also offer resource publications and no-cost legal and tax clinics several times a year. Call 514-694-6404. Lou Gehrig’s Disease/SLA/ALS family caregivers support group meets on the first Monday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Offered by Nova West Island. Call 514-6958335, local 209 or visit novawi.org.
DivorceCare, support group open to anyone struggling with the effects of separation or divorce on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at St. George’s Anglican Church, 23 Perrault Ave. in Ste-Annede-Bellevue. One-time fee of $25 includes a workbook. Call 514-4576934 or visit divorcecare.org. GriefShare, seminar and support group for those going through loss and grief following the death of a loved one, every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. George’s Anglican Church. The program is designed to help support participants on the journey of grief and to help them to a place where they might find healing and hope. Call 514-457-6934 or visit griefshare.org.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a low-cost non-profit organization that help with weight-loss support. They meet Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Cedar Heights Park Chalet, 20 Robinsdale Ave. in Pointe-Claire. Visit tops.org. The West Island Cancer Wellness Centre is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people living with cancer by providing free programs and services created to address their emotional, physical and spiritual needs. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 115 du Barry St. in Kirkland. Visit wicwc.org call 514-695-9355. Arthritis West Island Self Help offers support and exercise programs to help individuals deal with arthritis and chronic pain. Spring program begins in April in Dorval, Dollard and Pierrefonds. Visit awishmontreal.org or call 514-631-3288. The Quebec chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association is a non-profit organization that is a voice for people who are adversely affected by gluten, who are dedicated to improving diagnosis and quality of life. Their vision is to see the gluten problem found, treated and cured. They offer information and support in following a safe gluten-free diet. The organization relies on membership and donations. Visit celiacquebec.ca, email info@ celiacquebec.ca or call 514-893-9856.
New Moms support group, offered by the West Island Women’s Centre, meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Columba-by-the-Lake Church, 11 Rodney Ave. in Pointe-Claire. Free of charge. Free child care available. To register, call 514-781-8529.
Gamblers Anonymous offers help to anyone suffering from a gambling problem. Call 514-484-6666 or visit gamontreal.ca.
The Family Resource Centre, a non-profit organization designed to support children aged 6 to 25, parents and professionals, offers a variety of services to help youth with social, academic and behavioural difficulties. Group formats offered every Tuesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Pierrefonds. For more information, call 514-685-5912.
The Family Life Centre offers short-term counselling to West Island and Off-Island families, couples and individuals. Free or by donation. Call 514-630-7794 or email familylifecentre@gmail.com.
LGBTQ Support Group for parents of a child who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or questioning their sexual identity. A discussion group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Beaconsfield United Church, 202 Woodside Rd. Call 514-794-5428 or visit lgbtq.youthcentre.ca.