West African drumming is one of more than a dozen programs open to clients at Eric Martin Pavilion's psychiatric day hospital.
Programs fall into three categories, according to Drew Barnes, co-ordinator of the psychiatric day hospital.
"We have programs that help people understand their illness and learn how to manage it," he said. Those include therapy groups for people dealing with a common illness, such as depression or anxiety.
Stabilization programs, such as drumming, help people get better faster, he said.
"They're really things that help people with diversion and distraction - to get people to take their focus off their illness for short periods of time," he said.
The third group of programs falls under health promotion, including smoking-cessation sessions as well as strength training and other exercise groups that connect clients with their community.
"There are so many benefits to being active and being active in your community," Barnes said.
Clients can also participate in special activities like the dragonboat racing team. This is the 13th year that the hospital has sent a team - comprising service providers, clients and family members - to the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. The Komodo Dragons took the bronze metal.
"For me it's a real metaphor, when we put them all together in the same boat, and have them paddling together," Barnes said.
Other day programs
gong ? Qi
- Relaxation
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for psychosis
walking ? Power
depression ? Managing
training ? Strength
cessation ? Smoking
- Yoga
eating ? Healthy
- West African drumming - Amy Smart
