Our heartfelt thanks to the managers, staff and all the Noodlebox customers who participated in September 20th Noodlebox Charity Day Fundraiser.
News
Thank you Bell Let’s Talk for supporting CMHA work across BC
Canadians across the country will join together on January 25 on social media to text, talk and tweet about mental health for the 7th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day.
Bell’s annual campaign encourages people to “start a conversation” about mental health with friends, family and co-workers, recognizing that simply talking makes a significant impact in breaking down stigma and eliminating discrimination.
As Canada’s nation-wide leader and champion for mental health for almost 100 hundred years, CMHA wholly embraces opportunities such as this to talk openly about mental health. Every day CMHA BC helps British Columbians access the resources they need to maintain and improve mental health, build resilience and support recovery from mental illness and addiction.
We applaud Bell for continuing the conversation and helping to promote awareness of mental health issues.
We also want to say “thank you” for the direct support we have received from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund over the last five years. Donated funds have been awarded to CMHA branches in Vancouver, South Cariboo, Kelowna, Prince George and the Shuswap / Revelstoke region allowing us to enhance delivery of front-line services to individuals in these communities.
Here are just some of the projects that these donations have been used to assist:
- Development new materials to help BC youth gain life-long mental health skills, self- esteem and social support through the Living Life to the Full for Youth course
- Helping teens whose parents have a mental illness build coping skills, friendships and resilience through fun recreational group activities like snowboarding and swimming.
- Supporting the opening of HOpe Café in North Vancouver, which employs people with lived experience of mental illness as barista and to help build skills and decrease stigma
- Bringing the WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) mental illness recovery and self-management skills program to Kelowna
- Helping people with severe mental illness in Prince George to find safe and suitable housing and the skills and community connections to maintain it through the Resource Housing Outreach program
- Offering free mental health workshops to workplaces in The Cariboo
- Bringing mental health skills to Shuswap / Revelstoke through Living Life to the Full course
This year’s Let’s Talk campaign highlights the impact of mental illness on everyone, with spokespeople Clara Hughes, Howie Mandel, Michael Landsberg, and others speaking candidly about their own personal experiences with mental illness and recovery.
Join the conversation online today and Bell will donate 5 cents more to mental health initiatives for every:
- Text message, mobile and long distance call made by Bell Canada and Bell Aliant customers
- Tweet and Instagram post using #BellLetsTalk
- View of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk
- Use of the Bell Let’s Talk Snapchat geofilter
Telus donates youth-focused mental health app to CMHA
Vancouver, B.C. – Today, at the Healthy Minds Healthy Campuses Summit in Vancouver, TELUS announced the donation of its new iOS mindfulness app, thinkFull, to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division. thinkFull is a stress management app aimed at improving the mental health of young adults by helping them monitor and develop coping strategies to manage stress levels.
The app provides personalized mental wellness coaching, allowing people to track their stress levels over time and tap into a rich library of tips for relieving stress, solving problems and living well. Information is customized to meet a user’s specific needs based on usage patterns and the app acts as both a resource and a repository – users rate their anxiety levels from one to seven and write accompanying journal entries that can be kept private or reviewed and discussed with a mental health professional.
“Statistics show that 15 to 24-year-olds currently have the highest rates of mood and anxiety disorders of all age groups – with approximately 11 per cent experiencing depression at some point in their lives,” said Bev Gutray, CEO of the CMHA BC Division. “We are delighted to add thinkFull to our arsenal of resources to promote positive mental health and are thankful to TELUS for this generous donation.”
“This generation are technologically savvy and spend hours each day on their smartphones, so supporting them with an innovative and intuitive app makes sense,” Gutray continued. “We are certain that thinkFull will be of great benefit to our Healthy Minds Healthy Campuses and other community members to help build greater resiliency and tackle the stressful situations and challenges they face during their studies and beyond.”
Developed in partnership with the CMHA and mental health non-profit Mind Your Mind, thinkFull was the result of TELUS’ first Social Enterprise Competition – a unique initiative to harness the entrepreneurial spirit of the company’s team members challenging them to develop a product or service to help improve the health and wellness of Canadians.
“Through the use of innovative technology, together we have the power and privilege to help Canadians live healthier and happier lives,” said Jill Schnarr, VP of Community Investment at TELUS, “As one of the original content providers to our thinkFull app, it was an honour to gift the CMHA with this intuitive resource so that more youth who are struggling with mental health issues across the country will have the support they need, right at their fingertips.”
Find out more about thinkFull by watching this video, and download the iOS app in the app store.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is Canada’s fastest-growing national telecommunications company, with $12.8 billion of annual revenue and 12.7 million subscriber connections, including 8.6 million wireless subscribers, 1.7 million high-speed Internet subscribers, 1.4 million residential network access lines and more than a million TELUS TV customers. TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video. TELUS is Canada’s largest health care IT provider, and TELUS International delivers business process solutions around the globe.
In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and our retirees have contributed more than $482 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered the equivalent of more than a million days of service to local communities since 2000. TELUS’ twelve Canadian community boards and five International boards have led the company’s support of grassroots charities and have contributed more than $60 million in support of 5,595 local charitable projects, enriching the lives of more than 2 million children and youth annually. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition. As reflected in our Corporate Social Responsibility Report, our commitment to sustainability is inspired by nature and aims to create a healthier future for all. For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.
About CMHA
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in hundreds of neighbourhoods across every province, CMHA provides advocacy and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. Visit the CMHA BC website at www.cmha.bc.ca.
Notes to editor:
- The donation announcement will be made at 2 p.m. PST on April 4, 2017 at the Healthy Minds Healthy Campuses Summit 2017
- Address: Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 W Hastings Street, Vancouver (Seymour Street Courtyard Entrance)
- For further information on Summit 2017, please visit: http://bit.ly/2ovSA8i
- Social media: Twitter – @CMHABC, @TELUS, @TELUSHealth
Facebook – @CMHABCDIVISION
Media Contact
For all media enquiries and interview requests:
Lorna Allen, Communications Coordinator – Media, CMHA BC Division
P: 604-688-3234 ext. 6326
C: 778-835-2778
E: lorna.allen@cmha.bc.ca
Jill Yetman
TELUS Social and Media Relations
416-992-2639
Jill.yetman@telus.com
Statement Regarding the News from the Secwépemc Nation
We are deeply troubled by the discovery of 215 Indigenous children buried at a former residential school in Kamloops. This is part of the ongoing trauma. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line 1-866 925-4419 is there to listen and support. Our hearts are with the communities and families that have been affected by this tragedy.
Nous sommes profondément troublés par la découverte de 215 enfants autochtones enterrés à l’ancien Pensionnat de Kamloops. Ceci perpétue le traumatisme. La ligne téléphonique d’aide aux anciens résidents des pensionnats autochtones 1-866-925-4419 est là pour offrir du soutien.Nos pensées vont aux communautés et aux familles qui ont été touchées par cette tragédie.
Complied is a list of support lines, organizations to donate to, and educational resources to help expand your knowledge of Indigenous matters.
Support Lines:
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line:
1 – 866 – 925 – 4419
KUU-US Crisis Line:
1 – 800 – 588 – 8717
Vancouver Island Crisis Line:
1 – 888 – 494 – 3888
to text:
250 – 800 – 3806
BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
Legacy of Hope Foundation
Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
Reconciliation Canada
Orange Shirt Society
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
Take the time to learn more and educate yourself about Indigenous matters. We’ve provided a list of education resources to help you get started. This is an ongoing issue in Canada, so we are asking you to do your part. We all having something to learn and we encourage you to never stop seeking more information. Complied is a list of resources:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. You can read the full document here.
trc.ca
Read about the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc peoples
tkemlups.ca
Recognize the Indigenous land you live, work, and play on
native-land.ca/
Read Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls report
mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
Learn how to do a meaningful land acknowledgment
nativegov.org/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/
Educate yourself about Orange Shirt Day (September 30) and it’s significance
orangeshirtday.org/
On Canada Project: Settlers Take Action. Read about what you can do to help as a settler
oncanadaproject.ca/settlerstakeaction
Reconciliation Education; these online courses provide a customized education in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action
reconciliationeducation.ca
Speaking Opportunity: Youth Mental Health Summit
We are seeking two speakers for our upcoming HEADSTRONG Youth Mental Health Summit on February 8, 2024.
About the event
The Canadian Mental Health Association and Mental Health Commission of Canada are partnering again to host the 9th annual HEADSTRONG Youth Mental Health Summit. The purpose of this evidence-based event is for youth to come together for a day of learning about mental health. They will hear stories from youth with lived experience, take part in thought provoking activities and then design action plans to take back to their schools and communities to help break down the stigma surrounding mental health. We are expected to have around 10 local middle schools in attendance (grades 7 & 8), as well as some community supporters and partners. This is a paid opportunity ($350). See this article about our previous February 2020 HEADSTRONG Summit: https://victoria.cmha.bc.ca/news/youth-gather-for-anti-stigma-summit/
Opportunity
We are looking for speakers between the ages of 19 and 30 with lived experience. The role for the room speaker would be to attend for the day and engage with students and teachers and help support CMHA staff around the event. The speaker would be part of a breakout room and would share their story around a mental heath experience with the small group. This will be a 15 minute talk with a 5 minute question and answer period. The speaker will also take part in a panel with the Keynote and other Room Speakers for 30 – 40 minutes. A morning coffee break and lunch will be provided.
In addition to the speaker attending the event on February 8th, they must also attend a prior practice session.
Timeline
Apply by Wednesday January 24th, 2024
Chosen speakers must be available for a practice session during the last week of January.
Attend the event on Thursday February 8th, 2024 from 8am – 3pm.
Attend a following debrief to be scheduled after the event.
$350 honorarium per speaker
Apply by January 24, 2024
Contact Event Coordinator lauren.sykes@cmha.bc.ca
Services during COVID-19 measures in BC
March 16, 2020 —
We at Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division are working hard to support British Columbians during this unprecedented period of COVID-19 response. We’ve shared an article with some tips on how to manage the isolation and anxiety around this pandemic.
This is a hard time, particularly for people living with mental illness who are now more isolated from their usual supports.
Because we mostly do not provide in-person services at our provincial office we have decided to temporarily close our Vancouver and Victoria offices. We’re doing this to play our own small part in “flattening the curve” and slowing the spread of this virus to vulnerable people. Staff are working from home to ensure as many services continue as possible. Those include:
- Mental health information, referral and support at help@cmha.bc.ca and bcpartners@heretohelp.bc.ca
- Healthy Minds | Healthy Campuses program and Spring 2020 Scholarships & Bursaries
- Public education & awareness on social media and online here at cmha.bc.ca and HeretoHelp.bc.ca
- BounceBack online at www.online.bouncebackonline.ca/
- Policy, advocacy, support for DIY fundraisers, and media relations
- Support to the network of 14 CMHA branches
We have also postponed large events, including the Bottom Line Conference, General Meetings and workplace training sessions. Our coaching programs Confident Parents, Thriving Kids (Behaviour and Anxiety streams) and BounceBack are continuing to support our clients as much as possible while still protecting our staff teams.
Now is the time to reach out to someone (via email, phone, or online chat) for connection, encouragement, and to build community.
For those struggling with anxiety, check out the great resources on www.anxietycanada.com.
Take good care of yourself, each other and your mental and physical well-being during this stressful time. And as always, your support for our work through your time, suggestions and financial contributions are appreciated. Donate
Sincerely,
Jonny Morris
Chief Executive Officer
safeTALK suicide prevention training in Victoria
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, CMHA is pleased to offer two half-day suicide prevention workshops in Victoria on September 21 and 22.
safeTALK is a half-day suicide prevention workshop open to anyone, regardless of prior experience or training. Gain knowledge about how to help a person who is thinking about suicide connect to the support they need.
You will learn to:
• Identify people who may have thoughts of suicide
• Ask them directly about the possibility of suicide
• Connect them to life-saving community supports and resources
More than 50,000 people in 20 countries attend safeTALK each year.
Learn more and register:
Run for Women Returns to Victoria
Join us on April 20th, 2024 at Elk Lake for the Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women event.
Link to register: https://www.runforwomen.ca/Cities/Victoria.aspx
Date
Saturday April 20th, 2024
Location
Elk Lake Regional Park
DISTANCE
Virtual: 5K/10K Walk/Run & 1K Little Steps
In-Person: 5K Walk/Run, 10K Run &1K Little Steps
We’re excited to announce that the Run for Women will be returning to Victoria in support of CMHA on April 20th, 2024! The Victoria Run for Women will help fundraise and support our women’s mental health programs. Last year, all funds raised went towards supporting the development of our new Living Life to the Full program, Enjoy Your Baby. This program aims to help new mothers and post-partum mental health. With continued this year’s continued support from the Run for Women and Shopper’s Foundation, we hope to soon launch Enjoy Your Baby for new parents in BC.
Link to register: https://www.runforwomen.ca/Cities/Victoria.aspx
Ride Don’t Hide 2019 Launch Event – May 7
The Canadian Mental Health Association – Victoria Office invites you to attend our Ride Don’t Hide 2019 Launch Event Tuesday, May 7th
The event will feature local mayors and community leaders riding a multi-person cycling vehicle (called the Rolling Barrel) leaving from Government and Yates at approximately 11:45 am and riding to Government and Pandora to Centennial Square.
Arriving in Centennial Square the delegation will then kick off the 7th annual Ride Don’t Hide 2019 cycling event with an official launch from local community leaders.
Last year’s Ride Don’t Hide had 450 riders and raised more than $122, 000 for local mental health programs.
Photo and interview opportunities are available.
For more information about our event please contact Niki Scarfo @ 778-350-6746 niki.scarfo@cmha.bc.ca or Jocelyn de Montmorency @ 250-514-2717 jocelyn.demontmorency@cmha.bc.ca
Ride Don’t Hide Returns! June 4, 2023
The Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division is excited to announce the return of Ride Don’t Hide in 2023!
For the 12th year in a row, RDH will be returning to Victoria hosted by the CMHA BC Division Victoria office. We are so excited for the return of this event, and hope you will join us for another spectacular event day full of community, togetherness, fun, and mental health awareness. Registration is now open, and we are welcoming back all of our usual routes – from the 5km Walk to the 100km Ride!
Find more details on our official Ride Don’t Hide page www.ridedonthide.com/victoria.
Got a question about the ride? Reach out to our Ride Coordinator lauren.sykes@cmha.bc.ca