National Suicide Prevention Week 2015

September 7th - September 13th marks National Suicide Prevention week. Jamie Tworkowski from To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) writes:

"The lie is that depression and suicide are things that we can't talk about.
It's a lie that causes people to feel alone and live alone when it comes to their pain.  The truth is that, as people, we all relate to pain.  We all struggle from time to time, we all experience sadness, and we all encounter huge questions in this life.  All of that is part of this human experience that you and I keep waking up to.

And with all of that in mind, welcome to National Suicide Prevention Week.  This week, people all across America are pushing back at the lie.  Thousands more will join them on Thursday for World Suicide Prevention Day.  Together we will say that it's important to talk about mental health and suicide.  Together we will say that it's okay to be honest and it's okay to ask for help.  Together we will say we're not alone.

COPMI Launches Video Series For Youth

COPMI: Children of Parents with a Mental Illness.

COPMI is an online Australian mental health information resource for children, teens and parents. Recently COPMI has launched a brand new video series for youth living with a parent experiencing mental illness. These videos provide a wide range of information based on specific illnesses, treatments, coping strategies and much more.

These videos aim to be both educational and engaging for youth and so they are filmed with youth who have experienced similar struggles.

http://www.copmi.net.au/kids-young-people/about-mental-illness

Stigma and Youth

Stigma about Mental Illness is all around us, and it is especially prominent in youth, and young males in particular.  Anytime I come across a member of the youth community sharing their story or advocating for others, and am overcome with hope for the future.  Please take a look at this article and video about a youth mental health advocate in Kelowna, BC.

Supporting a Family Member: Mental Health Resource

Hello everyone,

Karen and I have been searching the web for resources pertaining to the support and education of family members coping with mental health struggles within the family and have found a valuable resource. This resource is from British Columbia's mental health initiative "here to help" and is free to the public.

The "Supporting a Family Member" page is a hub for trusted educational articles and covers specific diagnosis' and family needs. Not only does the website provide resources for parents but it also provides links to age appropriate resources for siblings. All information is up to date and can be navigated easily for downloading/viewing purposes.

Note: Small portions of the website are tailored for the province, for instance community mental health events.

Here's the link:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/skills/supporting-family#symptoms

Hope this resource can be of use!

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Resource for Depression

This website helps with informed choices about depression including treatment, supports, a young adults journey towards recovery and much more. There is also a section on about helping a friend or family member with depression.

Video For Kids and Youth about What it Can be Like for Parent with Depression

This short video is to help children and youth understand how depression is different from the sadness feelings everyone can feel. Great clip to help children begin to understand parental depression.