Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week
Pictured left-to-right are Jason Menard

CORNWALL, Ontario – The Canadian Mental Health Association Champlain East has changed the conversation about mental health for people of all ages in our community through a local television series “Mental Health Matters” that will be airing its third season.

Watch CogecoTV starting in Oct. 4, for Season 3 of “Mental Health Matters” as we take a more practical approach to the issues surrounding mental health. This partnership will deliver an array of mental health related topics that will help viewers better understand mental health, mental illness and everything in between. This year “Mental Health Matters” will cover a broad range of topics such as dance therapy, PTSD, highlights of the New Mental Health & Addictions centre and much more.

Eleven new topics will be explored. Strategies to help viewers achieve optimal levels of well-being will be the mission of the local CMHA branch. Join the experts in your own community as they engage you in practical solutions to every day issues. Season 3 is scheduled to launch in Oct. 4, 2016 (Check your COGECOTV Community Television for dates & times).

The community is also invited to participate in the 13th annual Mental Illness Awareness Walk that will take place (Downtown Le Village) Tuesday Oct. 4 at 10:00 a.m. departing from (ANAF) building at 14 Marlborough St. parking available on both the North side by accessing Victoria St. and the South side by accessing Montreal Rd.

After the walk we invite the community to join us to learn more about local community support programs at various kiosks that will be on display. Refreshments, door prize, award ceremony and new this year “Talent Showcase” will take place immediately following the walk. Please register by Oct. 3, 2016 at: 613-933-5845 or office@cmha-east.on.ca

With one in five Canadians experiencing a mental illness during their lifetime, it’s crucial that we educate Canadians about the nature of mental illness to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

A number of myths have led to misunderstandings about mental illness, preventing many people from seeking and getting help when they need it.” including:

•Mental illness is caused by a personal weakness. A mental illness is not a character flaw. It is an illness, and it has nothing to do with being weak or lacking will-power. Although people with mental illness can play a big part in their own recovery, they did not choose to become ill, and they are not lazy because they cannot just “snap out of it.”

•Mental illness is a single, rare disorder. Mental illness is not a single disease but a broad classification for many disorders. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and organic brain disorders can cause misery, tears and missed opportunities for thousands of Canadians.

One of MIAW’s goals is to ensure future generations are not impeded by the stigma currently surrounding mental illness. More has to be done to ensure that Canadians suffering from serious mental illnesses get the care, support, treatment and rehabilitation they need.

Please join us for the awareness walk and make a difference in your community. Tune-in to “Mental Health Matters” Season 3 on COGECOTV starting Tuesday Oct. 4, @ 7:30 p.m. -cable 11 and now in HD on 700.

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