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CMHA Victoria Office (BC Division)

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CMHA BC and MOD Pizza partner for mental health in Victoria

MOD Pizza to donate 50 per cent of sales on December 12 to CMHA BC

December 3, 2021 –  If you’re looking for Sunday meal ideas on December 12, you might want to stop by MOD Pizza in Langford. On that day, MOD Pizza will donate 50 per cent of all sales to Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC), the non-profit organization that aims to support everyone’s right to their best possible mental health.

“We’re grateful for the generous support of MOD Pizza again this year,” says Jocelyn de Montmorency, program manager at CMHA BC. “The event will not only raise money to support local mental health programs and services, but will raise awareness about the importance of checking in on ourselves and our loved ones during this difficult time of year.”

As people struggle with the compounding impacts of flooding, the pandemic, wildfires, climate change, and the confirmation of bodies at former residential schools, CMHA BC has seen a significant increase in demand for its services and programs. In a survey this spring, over seven in 10 British Columbians reported feeling worried, bored, stressed, lonely or sad, and 37 per cent reported that their mental health has declined during the pandemic.

Jim Hayden, owner of the MOD Langford location, sees the need and wanted to help. “It’s been a hard couple of years for everyone, and the importance of mental health care and support has never been clearer,” says Hayden. “CMHA BC is doing critical work that directly impacts the people in our community. As a business owner, my philosophy has always been that it’s as much about the people you help as the product you serve, and I’m so pleased to support CMHA BC with this fundraiser.”

Santa Claus will also be visiting MOD Pizza on the same day from 4:00-7:00 pm. “Bring the family or your friends, or just come by yourself to MOD Pizza for a photo with Santa and help raise money for CMHA BC at the same time,” says Hayden.

Media Contact:
Jocelyn de Montmorency
CMHA BC Division
Jocelyn.demontmorency@cmha.bc.ca 250-514-2717

Highland Pacific Golf Hosts Their Inaugural Mood Swing Golf Fundraiser

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Nov 30, 2021 Update:

Mood Swing Golf raises over $10,000 for youth mental health!

On Nov 19th, Highland Pacific Golf held their inaugural Mood Swing Golf Fundraiser, to raise money for CMHA Victoria’s mental health youth programs. It was a massively successful event, fundraising over $10,000 (and counting!). CMHA Victoria is very grateful to Highland Pacific Golf and especially to Jeff Palmer (pictured), who is the General Manager, for organizing such an impactful event. Funds raised will go towards CMHA Victoria’s upcoming HEADSTRONG Youth Summit, which you can read more about here.

Jocelyn and Lauren (CMHA staff), and Jeff Palmer from Highland Pacific Golf hold up a large cheque of $10,000 made out to CMHA
(Left to right) Jocelyn, Jeff, and Lauren hold a large cheque of $10,000 made out to CMHA
 
Fundraiser Details
Name: Mood Swing Golf Invitational
Hosted by: Highland Pacific Golf 
Date: November 19th, 2021
Time: 10:30am – 5:30pm
Location: 450 Creed Rd, Victoria (Highland Pacific Golf course)
Registration: $140 green fee (to register and pay please email jeff@highlandpacificgolf.com)

We are happy to share the Highland Pacific Golf course will be hosting their 1st Annual Mood Swing Golf event to support CMHA Victoria. They will be hosting rounds of golf, an auction, barbeque, and a short presentation with prizes given away all to help raise funds for local mental health programs and services.

All funds raised will be going towards supporting youth mental health programs, services, and events in the local Victoria area. CMHA Victoria is a proud deliverer of Living Life to the Full for Youth, the HEADSTRONG Anti-Stigma Youth Summit, and the promotion of positive youth mental health resources.

There is a $140 per person fee, which includes the green fee, cart fee, dinner, and prizes. To register, pay, or inquire further please contact Jeff Palmer at jeff@highlandpacificgolf.com.

NOTICE: Office Closed on September 30th

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This Thursday, September 30th we will be closed to honour National Truth and Reconciliation Day. The day commemorates the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and honours those who were lost and the survivors, families, and communities who continue to grieve. The CMHA BC – Victoria Office is located on the traditional, unceded lands of the Lekwungen (Songhees) and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) Nations.
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We are encouraged to use this opportunity to consider what each of us can do to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and to better understand and learn from the truth of our shared history. ⠀
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At CMHA Victoria, we are committed to acting on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls for Action.

#Sillylegs: Roller Skate Victoria Campaigns for Change

#sillylegs roller skate victoria

Victoria-based roller skater Andrea Boyes has joined in a movement to change a roller dance move named crazy legs, to silly legs. Words matter, and the Canadian Mental Health Commission says describing things as crazy perpetuates stigma, and stigma remains the number one reason people don’t seek treatment for mental illness. Boyes is using the hashtag #sillylegs to bring awareness to this on her Instagram page @skaterboyes and is also selling t-shirts designed by fellow Canadian roller skater Michka from @groovecityapparel to raise funds for the Victoria Canadian Mental Health Association.

Boyes was motivated to take action for a few reasons. She was able to overcome stigma and get treated for generalized anxiety disorder which she still manages today with medication. Boyes then attended Royal Roads University for her MA in Professional Communication and focused her research on representations of mental illness in media and how they can contribute to stigma. She learned that words matter, and how choosing other words such as silly instead of crazy can make a difference. This year she took a Canadian Mental Health Commission first aid course at her workplace and was again reminded that using words such as crazy can contribute to stigma and be triggering to those with mental illness. Meanwhile, this move had become her signature roller dance move and she was teaching it to others in Victoria and around the world online.

She knew then she had to do something.

“Based on my own experiences and learnings along the way I had to join the effort to use a different word to describe this move. I will continue to teach my students this move as Silly Legs and also work on taking the word crazy out of my vocabulary when I could use a less stigmatizing word to describe something. If something so simple as a name change will make people with mental illness feel less shame, and also change perspectives, why wouldn’t you do it? I am grateful have an opportunity to use my Instagram platform for good and also raise funds for an organization doing great work for mental health in our community”.

Her roller skate school Roller Skate Victoria has now adopted the name Silly Legs to describe this dance move, and other skaters are joining in. You can get your own #SillyLegs t-shirt here: https://rollerskatevictoria.com/sillylegs-tshirt/

High School Student Internship Opportunity

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High School Student Internship Opportunity

Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division, Victoria

Positions Available: Two

Location: Victoria, BC

CMHA Victoria is looking for two high school students to help with youth engagement projects and programs across the lower island. This opportunity will run during the 2021 – 2022 academic school year, from late August to mid-June. There will be the flexibility to work both at our downtown Victoria office, as well as remotely, depending on the current project’s needs.

 

Our ideal candidate will be:

  • Grade 10 or 11
  • Interested in pursuing a career in mental health, social work, psychology, education, non-profits
  • Good communication skills
  • Initiative
  • Timely
  • Knowledge or willingness to learn about mental health
  • Comfortable with outreach practices
  • Available to work required hours / time commitment
  • Good at following directions
  • Willing to contribute ideas and thoughts
  • Organized

 

Responsibilities will include:

  • Help plan future youth summits
  • Follow up with attended schools
  • Support action-plans of students
  • Keep office updated about school initiatives & outcomes
  • Provide information to students about resources / community partners
  • Assist with planning in youth involvement in Ride Don’t Hide

 

The successful applicants will receive $500 each for their involvement. We will be accepting applications until July 30th 4:30pm. Please send your resume and cover letter to lauren.sykes@cmha.bc.ca.

 

Statement Regarding the News from the Secwépemc Nation

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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
Donate:
Indigenous Residential School Survivor Society
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

Additional Helpful Links:

Ride Don’t Hide 2021 Launches!

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CMHA Victoria is pleased to announce that Ride Don’t Hide 2021 has officially launched and registration is open! Please help us raise funds and awareness of mental health programs and services in Victoria.
Although we are unable to host our in person event again this year, we are still encouraging riders to sign up, raise awareness, and fundraise for mental health by riding and walking within the safety of your small group.
This year registration is $15, and riders will have an opportunity to win prizes by participating in “Decoding Mental Health” from May 3rd to June 13th.
Learn more and register to ride at www.ridedonthide.com/victoria
To help encourage the community to register and participate during Mental Health Month, which is May, we will be doing two prize draws on May 30th.
  • One winner will be randomly selected from those that register before May 30th.
  • The other winner will be randomly selected from those that participate in Decoding Mental Health by scanning a RDH code at a partnering business.

Please enjoy these two wonderful interviews of Michael Schratter, Ride Don’t Hide Founder, and Gillian Carleton, Victoria’s Ride Ambassador.

Job Posting: Parent Support Coach

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Parent Support Coach
We are seeking three Parent Support Coaches to be part of an innovative program designed to reach families across BC. The Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Anxiety program offers family-focused tools and coaching to help empower parents and caregivers to manage anxiety conditions in children ages 3-12. Coaches provide parenting support though structured individual sessions by phone or web-based applications.

We have two positions open for terms ending October 2021, and one position for June 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Applications are due April 29, 2021. Please see the job postings for details:

United Way Greater Victoria Grant

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CMHA BC Division – Victoria office is pleased to announce that it has received a $15,000 grant from United Way Greater Victoria. We will use the funds for delivery of our flagship program Living Life to the Full for Older Adults. This 8 – week program offers strategies to help manage mood and worry. For more information on upcoming programs contact victoria.office@cmha.bc.ca.

Thank you United Way Greater Victoria!

United Way Greater Victoria Website

 

YOUTH ART EXHIBITION CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

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Mindfulness in May: The Art of Kindness

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 31st, 2021

Application for Submission

To learn more about the requirements, guidelines, awards, and exhibition details please click here.

Email enquiries please contact Diane Moran at moraninthemoon@gmail.com.

Artist Diane Moran has partnered with Amber Academy Youth Fine Arts Society and the Sooke Arts Council for a youth exhibition of fine art and literary art created by students in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 that will run May 5-16, 2021. The exhibition is open to students registered in School District 62 and to students residing in the communities served by SD62 (Sooke, Port Renfrew, Metchosin, Highlands, Langford and Colwood) who are registered in a Home Learning Program. The exhibition works will be available for viewing on display at the Sooke Art Gallery and online at mindfulmay.artistquarter.com for the exhibition period. All submissions will be featured in the exhibition.

SHOW OBJECTIVE
The exhibition is taking place during BC Youth Week and during National Mental Health Week, so we have chosen “The ART of KINDNESS” as the topic for this year. We encourage students to explore what KINDESS means to them in their own lives and in their own language. Students will draw inspiration from whatever KINDNESS means to them, and perhaps even what it means to be impacted by KINDNESS. We believe the resulting exhibition will be a great success and create powerful conversations and heart felt art around the subject.

EXHIBIT CATEGORIES
Students are invited to submit a maximum of one entry per Category:

Category 1 – Visual Art

  •  2D Art – Includes all media on board, canvas or paper (excluding Photography – see below).
  • 3D Art – Three dimensional, functional or sculptural work of any material(s).
  • Photography – Either Traditional Print or Digital Print. Images that have been altered via digital software or other means must state “creatively altered and artists must advise how their artwork was altered, i.e. whether digitally altered, used as a base/foundation, etc.”. Artists may only alter their own original photographs.
  • Fibre Art – Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable work etc. where the primary material is fibre.

Computer-generated artwork is acceptable but must be entirely original and/or created from the artist’s original work.

With respect towards the cultural rights of Indigenous Peoples, it is requested that artists’ work be culturally appropriate in its content, and that artists are authorized to use and can provide proof of permission, if they have used Indigenous motifs/designs in their work.

Maximum size for submissions is 11” x 17” (28 cm x 43 cm) except paintings which must be no larger than 20” x 24” (50 cm x 60 cm).

Category 2 – Literary Art
Writers should draw inspiration from what “Kindness” means to them in the form of one of the
following:

  • Fiction or Non-Fiction Story (500-1000 words)
  • Poetry

Literary Art submissions must be double-spaced with all pages numbered using the format Page # of #. Please include your full name, email address, and phone number in the top right-hand corner of each page.

CMHA Victoria is proud to sponsor this exhibition, and as always we are delighted to support Sooke youth.

Email enquiries please contact Diane Moran at moraninthemoon@gmail.com.

Sooke Arts Council