Western Health is recognizing the importance of Mental Illness Awareness Week by supporting 25 schools and community groups to hold activities throughout the region. These activities will take place in schools, communities and workplaces across the region.
“During Mental Health Illness Awareness Week, our goal is to raise awareness of mental illness to reduce the stigma and promote the message of recovery,“ says Michelle House, Vice-President of Population Health. “Our goal is that through activities such as community breakfasts, poster contests, and movie nights, we will promote positive mental health.”
According to the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, one in five Canadians is likely to experience a mental illness. If you are experiencing a difficult time in your life and you need support, contact your local Mental Health & Addiction Services office or:
Mental Health Crisis Line 1-888-737-4668
NL Health Line 1-888-729-2929
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Mental Health & Addiction Services
Corner Brook 634-4506/4171
Stephenville 643-8740
Port aux Basques 695-6250
Burgeo 886-1550
Deer Lake 635-7830
Norris Point 458-2381
Port Saunders 861-9125
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Media Contact:
Heidi Staeben-Simmons
Director of Communications
Western Health
709-637-5252
heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca
Backgrounder: Mental Illness Awareness Week Events
Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association: Lunch and Learn session and Movie Night.
Rec House Community Youth Network: Lunch and Learn presentation followed by Mental Health Jeopardy and a movie focused on mental health.
Community Education Network: Helping Skills Program closing event including lunch, appreciation activity and nutritious snacks.
Movie Night in Parsons Pond for youth ages 13 and up (St. Paul’s, Cow Head, Parsons Pond). Youth Outreach Worker will lead discussion with the group relevant mental illness information.
Healthy Baby Club: Brunch (Lunch and Learn session) at Family Resource Centre for pregnant moms regarding postpartum depression.
Community Mental Health Initiative: Children’s coloring contest, Distribution of Hugs for Mental Health in various locations, two Movie Nights for youth.
Family Outreach Resource Centre: Lunch and Learn session focusing and depression with Youth Outreach Worker as the Guest speaker.
Twilight 50+ Club: Seniors Bowling and sharing mental health information. Poster, display and promotional items with messages relating to mental health topics.
St James All Grade and St Pete’s School: Poster/essay contest
Poster contest and advisory class challenge at Presentation Junior High: Peer mentors delivering messages over the PA and in the advisory classrooms.
Lunch and Learn presentation for Community Health Nurses about postpartum depression.
The Employment Preparation Centre: Lunch and Learn presentation to colleagues in other locations/agencies on workplace mental health and life-work balance.
Dunfield Park Community Centre: Mental Illness/ Mental Health Presentation or Jeopardy by Community Health Nurses and Ball Hockey Tournament for Youth ages 10-16.
Bonne Bay Health Centre: Seniors and Depression video with snacks and refreshments for Long Term Care staff and residents. Reminiscence Activity with snacks, refreshments, and prizes for Long Term Care residents and staff.
Bay St. George Status of Women’s Council: Host a movie night at the Women’s Centre featuring a movie about mental illness.
St. Boniface All Grade School: Community breakfast with presentation on mental illness awareness. Distribute pamphlets and info sheets on mental illness.
All Saints All Grade: Family game day to have community come together to promote positive mental health.
St. Jude Academy: Community breakfast with presentation and information about mental illness awareness.
Grandy’s River Collegiate: Classroom presentation and activities on self esteem and stress management by the Mental Health Worker.
LeGallais Memorial: Classroom presentation and activities on self esteem and stress management.
Kids First Resource Centre: Breakfast/brunch sessions offered to participants in four areas prior to regular resource centre programming. Discussion and information distributed about mental health/illness.
CC Loughlin Elementary School: Parents breakfast program at Dunfield Park.
French Shore Academy: Poster contest for students on mental health awareness. Examine mental health issues such as friendship, bullying, peer pressure, etc.
Community Youth Network, North Shore: Movie Night and Mental Health Jeopardy.
Mind your Mind Working Group: Community breakfast with interactive activities.