The tube-and-token initiative has launched in the two Truro Medicine Shoppe pharmacies this week.  “We were looking for a way to raise funds for the CMHA that was big, bold, and really unique. We came up with the idea of the “tube-and-token fundraising fixture,” explained Murray Whitby, President, Medicine Shoppe Canada. “It had to be engaging to raise both funds and awareness of mental health issues and the support that is available to those seeking help.”

The tube-and-token is a three-dimensional fundraising thermometer and it’s big – 8 feet high and 1.5 feet wide. Three inch tokens purchased for two dollars each are dropped into in the top of a large, clear tube. Markings on the tube indicate how much money has been raised to date. When the tube is full, $1,000 has been raised by the customers and staff of the pharmacy. For every $1,000 raised in the pharmacies, Medicine Shoppe Canada will top up the local donation by $200.”

“Mental health issues can impact anyone, any family, any time. When it happens, people should think of the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy.  Medicine Shoppe pharmacists are your local, accessible healthcare provider,” said Whitby. “We are a stigma-free zone”.

About Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

CMHA was founded in 1918 and is one of the oldest voluntary health organizations in Canada. Each year, CMHA provides direct service to more than 100,000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and staff across Canada in over 120 communities. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience and support recovery from mental illness. Please visit cmha.ca

About Medicine Shoppe Canada Medicine Shoppe Canada
Medicine Shoppe Canada is a national chain of over 180 small-format, patient-focused pharmacies. Medicine Shoppe Canada has designated the CMHA as its sole “cause-of-choice” for all sponsorship activities and charitable investments going forward. The two organizations work together at the national, provincial and local levels to create significant value and improve health outcomes. Please visit www.medicineshoppe.ca.

Media inquiries:

Bob McCord, Medicine Shoppe Canada -Regional Operations Manager
(902) 403-9543
bmccord@medicineshoppe.ca

Holly Roy, Pumpkin PR
(780) 470-5300
hollyr@pumpkinpr.com

CMHA’s current definition of a ‘consumer’ is: “a person who has had significant experience with mental illness and has used the resources of the mental health system.” There are two problems with this definition: first, people who access tools, information and others supports not necessarily included in the traditional mental health system to maintain and improve their mental health are also users of mental health services; second, CMHA’s mission includes providing resources and supports for both mental health and mental illness, and the current definition focuses only on mental illness.

In the spring of 2011, CMHA launched a nation-wide strategic planning process that focused on defining its collective goals and strengthening the collective impact of the organization through enhanced collaboration among its community locations across the country. After 10 months of extensive consultation with hundreds of CMHA locations and with key mental health partners, CMHA released in May of last year, its 5-year strategic plan ‘Strengthening Our Collective Impact: A Strategic Plan for CMHA’. The plan will serve as an overarching framework for the organization and will be reflected in and supported by the plans of CMHA’s community locations. The first collective goal in the new strategic plan is to strengthen CMHA’s voice. The desired result from pursuing this goal is to have broadened contact with and impact on the lives of people in Canada.

The word ‘consumer’ has always been a controversial subject within the mental health sector. Other monikers have been used such as or ’survivor’ or ‘person with lived experience’. Whenever possible, CMHA and NCAC use ‘person-first’ language; however, when speaking collectively this is not always possible. With your input we hope to develop a term that is respectful and reflects the empowerment of citizens living with or affected by mental illness or mental health challenges. Having said this, we will always respect the choice of an individual to choose a term that reflects their personal experience.
CMHA’s National Consumer Advisory Council (NCAC) believes it is important to respond to the needs and desires of our members who are consumers and the population beyond.

To meet this need, the NCAC will be facilitating a national discussion to redefine the term ‘consumer’ by hosting the first of two Think Tank meetings involving consumers/survivors/peers and external mental health organizations. Some of those invited to participate in this Think Tank are people who have spoken to NCAC members about this issue at conferences and meetings over the years. Unfortunately, we cannot include everyone at this meeting but we are eager to hear all consumers’ ideas around this important topic. To facilitate this, a survey will be posted on the CMHA nation-wide website for those who would like to contribute their comments.

NCAC will also host a second Think Tank comprised of other mental health organization representatives, e.g. the National Network for Mental Health, Mood Disorders of Canada, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, etc. A second survey will be posted online soliciting thoughts and comments from this group as well.

Please watch the website for the dates when the second survey will be posted. CMHA and NCAC need your feedback. As a national council comprised of consumers, we want to be as inclusive and collaborative as possible, and respectful of individuals’ opinions on this topic. NCAC is working hard to ensure that there is a forum for this conversation.

The National Consumer Advisory Council is a body of consumers of mental health services that has been instrumental in providing policy leadership regarding consumer participation within the Association for over twenty years. It has brought the consumer perspective to all of the issues and concerns on the CMHA’s agenda. See more about the NCAC at www.cmha.ca in the About Us section.

“We all have mental health. Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. It’s a state of overall mental and physical health and well-being. But maintaining good mental health in today’s hectic and stress-filled society is a challenge,” says Peter Coleridge, National CEO, CMHA.

“CMHA actively supports and encourages mental health for all Canadians, in all aspects of their daily lives, not only during its Mental Health Week but also through the programs and tools provided by hundreds of CMHA locations across the country throughout the year,” adds Coleridge.

It is estimated that at least 1 in 3 Canadians experience mental health problems each year. And mental health issues indirectly affect us all at some time through a family member, friend or colleague. The fact is, we are all touched in some way by mental health issues.

This year, CMHA is focusing on increasing awareness of youth mental health and mental illness by providing information, resources and the practical strategies and advice required by young people and their parents, caregivers and teachers to address youth mental health issues.

A list of CMHA’s youth mental health programs, services and supports across Canada can be found on CMHA’s Mental Health Week website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.

Every year, CMHA’s community locations host local Mental Health Week events and activities that offer Canadians information, resources and practical ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. Community events and activities listings can be found on CMHA’s Mental Health Week website.

This year’s Mental Health Week is generously supported by Medicine Shoppe Canada and Janssen Inc.

For the second year in a row, CMHA is Medicine Shoppe Canada’s charity of choice. In addition to supporting Mental Health Week, Medicine Shoppe Canada has launched an in-store fundraising campaign in 164 of its locations across the country to further support CMHA.

“We came up with a concept for an in-store fundraising fixture that is big, bold, and challenges each pharmacy’s customers to raise $1,000 for their community CMHA location,” says Murray Whitby, President, Medicine Shoppe Canada. “This fundraising campaign supports MSC’s continuing commitment to its community-based partnership with CMHA while continuing to foster meaningful ties to our customers.”

CMHA is also pleased to have Janssen Inc. on board for the first time as a valued supporter of Mental Health Week.

For more information on how to maintain your mental health, to find Mental Health Week events and activities in your community or to donate to CMHA, go to CMHA’s Mental Health Week website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is one of Canada’s oldest not-for-profit organizations. With more than 10,000 staff and volunteers in hundreds of communities across Canada, CMHA provides vital services and support to well over half a million Canadians every year. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience and support recovery from mental illness.

Please visit cmha.ca.

For further information, please contact:
Carolyn Lovas
Senior Communications and Media Advisor, CMHA National
clovas@cmha.ca
(416) 979-7948

“Our Government recognizes the seriousness of PTSD among Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel and its impact on their families, and is committed to supporting them,” said Minister Blaney. “As Mental Health Week begins in Canada, I am proud to support these important initiatives which will assist us in addressing the mental health needs of those who sacrificed so much for their country.”

The Ryerson University research project is a partnership between Canada’s largest network of PTSD treatment providers, Veterans Affairs Canada’s Operational Stress Injury National Network, and Ryerson University professor, Dr. Candice Monson. This collaborative project will help strengthen the knowledge base of health-care providers, as well as their ability to provide individuals affected by PTSD, and their loved ones, with the help and support they need.

“We are proud that researchers at Ryerson University, such as Professor Candice Monson, are developing innovative treatments to improve the health and well-being of Canadians,” said Sheldon Levy, Ryerson University President and Vice-Chancellor. “This project provides an opportunity for collaboration with key research partners. We are looking forward to seeing how these results benefit those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.”

“Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most treatable mental health conditions, which affects about 10 percent of Canadians,” said Dr. Candice Monson, principal investigator of the CIHR-funded study currently underway and a psychology professor at Ryerson University. “We believe that using cognitive processing therapy to treat individuals with PTSD will significantly improve the lives of Canadians. Our study hopes to prove this by training clinicians on this form of therapy and monitoring its benefits for patients who have received this short-term psychological treatment.”

PTSD Coach Canada is a free mobile app that can help individuals and their families manage the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Developed by Veterans Affairs Canada, in partnership with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Mental Health Association, PTSD Coach Canada was adapted from the American PTSD Coach, created by the United States’ Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. It can now be downloaded to mobile devices free-of-charge through the iTunes store and the Android Market.

Today’s announcements complements Minister Blaney’s fall 2012 initiative that launched the Veterans Transition Action Plan, which included new support of up to $600,000 over four years for Veterans to participate in the ground-breaking Veterans Transition Program from the University of British Columbia. In February, Minister Blaney announced that Veterans participating in the Veterans Transition Program in Ottawa would have the first opportunity to test the PTSD Coach Canada app.

“The task of supporting Canadian Veterans dealing with barriers to transition like post-traumatic stress disorder is complex and requires numerous layers of assistance,” said Tim Laidler, Veteran and Executive Director of the Veterans Transition Network. “Innovations like the PTSD Coach Canada app are welcome and helpful additions in the fight against PTSD among Veterans.”

“These mental health initiatives announced by Minister Blaney will improve the ways that PTSD is treated and will make for a better quality of life for RCMP and military Veterans,” said Cal Small, President of the RCMP Veterans Association.

For more information on Veterans Affairs Canada’s programs and services, visit veterans.gc.ca.

2013 is the Year of the Korean War Veteran—Canada proudly remembers the heroes of the Korean War and their brave fight to uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 38,000 students, including 2,300 master’s and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 140,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada’s leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca.

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Media inquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468

Jean-Christophe de Le Rue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649

Suelan Toye
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
416-979-5000 (ext. 7161)
stoye@ryerson.ca

“CMHA actively supports and encourages mental health for all Canadians, in all aspects of their daily lives, not only during its Mental Health Week but also through the programs and tools provided by hundreds of CMHA locations across the country throughout the year,” adds Coleridge.

It is estimated that at least 1 in 3 Canadians experience mental health problems each year. And mental health issues indirectly affect us all at some time through a family member, friend or colleague. The fact is, we are all touched in some way by mental health issues.

This year, CMHA is focusing on increasing awareness of youth mental health and mental illness by providing information, resources and the practical strategies and advice required by young people and their parents, caregivers and teachers to address youth mental health issues.

A list of CMHA’s youth mental health programs, services and supports across Canada can be found on CMHA’s Mental Health Week website.

Every year, CMHA’s community locations host local Mental Health Week events and activities that offer Canadians information, resources and practical ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. CMHA locations across Canada organize seminars, host open houses, set up community information booths, and hold film screenings, art shows, ‘lunch and learns’, conferences, and walks and runs in support of Mental Health Week.

Community events and activities listings can be found on CMHA’s Mental Health Week website.

This year’s Mental Health Week is generously supported by Medicine Shoppe Canada and Janssen Inc.

For more information on how to maintain your mental health, to find Mental Health Week events and activities in your community or to donate to CMHA, go to CMHA’s Mental Health Week website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.

CMHA has identified the elimination of stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental illness as one of its top priority areas. Most people who suffer won’t seek help because of the fear and misunderstanding surrounding mental illness.

Net proceeds from phones recycled through the Bell Blue Box program will help fund CMHA’s efforts. The more phones recycled through the Bell program, the greater the benefit to Canadians suffering from mental illness, a serious national health concern that will impact 1 in 5 Canadians directly and everyone in some way. Half a million Canadians miss work each day because of a mental health issue, and the overall impact on the national economy surpasses $51 billion each year.

“Bell Let’s Talk is proud that Bell’s green leadership can support the efforts of the CMHA. Tackling the stigma is the primary step in helping those who struggle get the treatment and support they need,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of the Bell Let’s Talk initiative. “We invite Canadians to help move mental health forward as they also help reduce the impact on the environment.”

Part of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association’s (CWTA) Recycle My Cell program, Bell Blue Box has been recognized by the Retail Council of Canada and Les Phénix de l’environnement. It was also a factor in Bell being named Canada’s greenest company by Newsweek magazine in 2012. The program has recovered over 1.2 million phones since 2003, as well as 110 tonnes of batteries and accessories.

Used mobile phones from all manufacturers, accessories and batteries can be returned to Bell Stores and participating The Source locations.

Before returning a phone, please erase any personal information from your device, including text messages, images and videos, contacts and personal files.

To learn more about our Bell Blue Box program, please visit bell.ca/bellbluebox.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is one of Canada’s oldest not-for-profit organizations. With more than 10,000 staff and volunteers in hundreds of communities across Canada, CMHA provides vital services and support to well over half a million Canadians every year. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience and support recovery from mental illness. Learn more at: www.cmha.ca.

About Bell

Bell is Canada’s largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs. Bell Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal’s BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca.

The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let’s Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Contact CMHA

Carolyn Lovas
Canadian Mental Health Association, National
416-979-7948
clovas@cmha.ca

Contact Bell

Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Media Relations
1-855-785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News

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SUPPORT

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Support a psychologically healthy work environment in your organization by engaging employees with the campaign during May-June and using the guidelines, tools and resources provided.

Become an ‘Not Myself Today @ Work’ partner and show your support by wearing your mood & holding a Not Myself Day event to help promote workplace mental health.

Financially support the cause to improve workplace mental health. Funds raised will go towards awareness education and engagement campaigns of Partners for Mental Health and programs and services that support workplace mental health available from the Canadian Mental Health Association, such as the Bottom Line Conference and Mental Health Works.

Take a pledge

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Make an investment

Both recipients were recognized for their hard work, passion and immense talents and for helping CMHA advance its vision: mentally healthy people in a healthy society. 

These facts say it all:

• It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
• Up to 70 per cent of young adults living with mental health problems report that the symptoms started in childhood.¹
• Children who have mental health problems are more likely to become adolescents and then adults with mental health problems and illnesses.²
• Today, approximately 5% of male youth and 12% of female youth, age 12 to 19, have experienced a major depressive episode.
• The total number of 12-19 year olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.
• Mental illness is increasingly threatening the lives of our children; with Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world.
• Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide.
• Surpassed only by injuries, mental disorders in youth are ranked as the second highest hospital care expenditure in Canada.
• In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them.

CMHA has a new approach that will take MHW from awareness to action. During MHW people from all walks of life are encouraged to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health and mental illness. And CMHA’s new approach will result in a greater and more sustained impact in helping to shift people’s perceptions and behaviours  related to mental health and mental illness.

Check out www.mentalhealthweek.ca in April for more information on MHW, including   a listing of MHW events in your community and more information and downloadable resources on youth and general mental health.

¹ Canada. (2006). The human face of mental health and mental illness in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/human-humain06/pdf/human_face_e.pdf.

² Smetanin, P., Stiff, D., Briante, C., Adair, C., Ahmad, S., & Khan, M. (2011). The life and economic impact of major mental illnesses in Canada: 2011 to 2041. RiskAnalytica, on behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.