Mental Health Week 2016

It's Mental Health Week , and let's start off by taking a look around and noticing every person in your life who has been affected by Mental Illness.  I'm guess that's going to be each and every person you know, that has been touched by Mental Health in one way or another.  Let's be inclusive, let's advocate, let's support and let's learn.  Let us change the way Mental Health is seen in Canada.

Today Justin Trudeau released a statement for Mental Health week, and it can be read in its entirety HERE  

 “We all have a responsibility to raise our awareness about mental health. We must actively encourage honest and open conversations – in our homes, our workplaces, and our communities – about what mental health is and what we can do to increase our collective well-being. We must listen to our loved-ones, our colleagues, our friends, look out for signs and offer them support and advice in times of need. It can be a challenge for all of us to cope with the fast pace of life, daily stresses, and obligations. We all need to stand strong together."
-Justin Trudeau 

Recovery Story

I get asked a lot to share recovery stories that I've heard from people.  These stories can help to inspire hope, create normalcy for mental illness, and give people a voice who feel like they might not have one (or feel like people don't want to listen).  Here's a video from someone who wants to share his own experience with mental illness. 
This video contains a conversation about suicide.

Telling our story of Living Mentally Well

With the work being done at the FAME Toronto Office, the importance of Narrative and resilience through story telling has been an effective practice for families; particularly those who have experienced trauma in the family . With that, I was asked to speak last Wednesday,at the 3rd Annual Mindfest Seminar hosted at the University of Toronto. Mindfest is a collective meeting of professionals, speakers with lived experience and community agencies providing discussion on the various aspects and treatments of mental health challenges active in Toronto. Below is a copy of the talk given: 

Discussion of mental health had changed in recent decades. Though, a great deal of stigma and discrimination still exists. Our acknowledgment of mental wellness as a component of health has been accepted. Additional to the advancements in therapies and available treatments has been inclusion of the subjective and personal experiences of those who live with mental health challenges. This inclusion within the dialogue of practice has promoted advocacy and awareness.

Project Semicolon

There are lots of different ways to start talking about mental health, advocating for yourself and supporting others.  Something that's gaining a lot of popularity right now is the Semicolon tattoo movement - which I love! A lot of individuals are using these tattoos as a conversation starter about mental health, and a reminder to themselves that their story isn't finished yet.  This project was originally started by Amy Bleuel of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who founded "Project Semicolon" in 2013 after losing her Father to suicide and dealing with her own mental illness.  There are so many ways we can spread awareness of mental illness, and even more so, to let people know they aren't alone.  We're all in this together!  
Here are some articles about the movement:

Article from The Star

UpWorthy article

Global News - tattoo raising funds for CMHA Calgary