North Eastern Mental Health Week Planning Committee
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK (May 4th to May 10th 2015) LAUNCH
MAY 4th - LIVE: TIMMINS
VIDEO FEED: IROQUOIS FALLS, KAPUSKASING, HEARST, COCHRANE, KIRKLAND LAKE, ENGLEHART, NEW LISKEARD
The North Eastern Mental Health Week Planning Committee officially launched Mental Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week live at 707 Ross Avenue East, Timmins. Other community locations participated by live video feeds.
In attendance at the launch were representatives from the North Eastern Mental Health Week Planning Committee and their respective organizations including; Bob Brush, the Board Vice-Chair for District School Board Ontario North, Richard Lambert Belanger Executive Director for NEOFACS, Clark MacFarlane Executive Director CMHA Cochrane Timiskaming Branch, and Jennifer Moore-Bertrand, Manager of Mental Health Services, Timmins & District Hospital.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will develop a mental illness at some point in their lives. Mental health affects family, friends and colleagues. The CMHA theme for 2015 is “Get Loud for Mental Health.” Feeling the importance to have a strong and unified voice, the committee was formed to share one vision and one campaign.
“The Canadian Mental Health Association Cochrane-Timiskaming Branch is pleased to be part of today’s celebrations to highlight Mental Health Week. CMHA has been celebrating Mental Health Week since creating it in 1951 as a way to put an end to the stigma and create communities where everyone belongs. Our 64th Annual Mental Health Week – focused this year on men and boys – encourages people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage others on issues related to mental health.” Said Clark MacFarlane, Executive Director for CMHA
“We are happy to have the opportunity to work with such community partners in recognition of Mental Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week,” said Richard Lambert Belanger. “NEOFACS provides many mental health services for children and youth in the Districts Timiskaming and Cochrane, having allies working towards the same goals, means we are able to reach and help more people.”
The committee was proud to unveil their “Be Kind and Pass It On” Campaign. This fun and unique initiative received an enthusiastic reception from all those in attendance. The campaigns concept is simple acts of kindness can speak volumes.
“We wanted to capture the message that simple acts of kindness can speak volumes to someone who is struggling with mental health,” said Brooke Ballantyne, Communications Coordinator at North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services. “We wanted a campaign that would reach individuals in all of our communities. The coins will be distributed throughout North Eastern Ontario and we hope the random acts of kindness that accompany the coins will make everyone’s day a little brighter.”
“By taking a moment to reflect and be kind, we can promote healthy minds and stronger relationships,” said Rachele Cull, Acting Executive Director, Misiway.
In addition to the Be Kind and Pass it On initiative, some committee members will be offering information and or training sessions. The Porcupine Health Unit will be offering safeTALK training to anyone 15 years of age or older in Timmins later on in May. More information about the safeTALK training can be found at http://www.porcupinehu.on.ca .
Building on the simplicity of the Be Kind initiative many schools in our region will be circulating the coins sharing information about mental health and children’s mental health in addition to other fun activities.
The excitement was evident in the children and youth who attended the launch.
The Timmins and District Hospital will also be providing information sessions during Mental Health Week covering topics such as Anxiety, Depression, and Relaxation/Stress Management. In addition, they will be hosting an open house on May 8th between 12:30 and 3:00pm.
“We invite service providers and the public to come out and learn more about the Mental Health Services TADH has to offer,” said Jennifer Moore-Bertrand R.N., Mental Health Service Manager at the Timmins and District Hospital. Individuals interested in participating in the information sessions or the open house can find more information by contacting the Out-Patient Mental Health Department at 705-267-6315.
The promotion of Mental Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week has always been important to each of the committee members, but now the committee has the momentum of working collaboratively. The Be Kind and Pass It On campaign will become a staple for Mental Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week from year to year. The committee is looking forward to hearing the stories behind the coins as they are shared following random acts of kindness.
If you receive a coin, you can share your story on twitter #MHW2015, #bekind or by emailing one of the committee members whose information can be found on http://www.mentalhealthweek.net
Be kind and pass it on.
Media Contacts:
NEOFACS
Brooke Ballantyne,
Communications Coordinator, NEOFACS
705-360-7100 ext 5217
705-365-0302 cell
CMHA Cochrane Timiskaming Branch
Andreanne Denis
Communications Manager
CMHA Cochrane Timiskaming Branch
330 Second Avenue, Suite 201
Timmins, Ontario, P4N 8A4
Phone: 705-267-8100 Ext. 2230
Fax: 705-268-8742
Timmins and District Hospital
Quinn Thompson
700 Ross Avenue East
Timmins, Ontario, P4N 8P2
Phone: 705-267-2131 ext 6331