Tell Us How You Really Feel
CMHA wants to know, "Are you phine or fine?"
TORONTO, May 5, 2014 /CNW/ - To mark the beginning of its 63rd Annual Mental Health Week (MHW), the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is launching its Be Mind Full initiative. As part of this new initiative, a campaign begins today that is asking Canadians how they really feel and challenging them to answer the question, "Are you phine or fine?"
By defining "Phine" as, "saying you're fine when you are not," CMHA's aim is to start a conversation with Canadians across the country and encourage them to talk about their mental health – as they would about their physical health – be honest and share with others how they really feel.
CMHA is conducting a live poll all this week on the MHW website and will track how many Canadians are truly fine or just saying they are "phine."
"Too often people claim to be feeling fine when they do not feel fine. Many may be experiencing poor mental health, but do not want to talk about it or seek support because of the discrimination and stigma associated with mental health problems," says Peter Coleridge, National CEO, CMHA.
Approximately 7 million Canadians – 20 per cent of the population – live with mental illness.
"CMHA's Be Mind Full initiative is an inventive and thoughtful way to engage Canadians in a conversation about what it really means to feel 'fine,'" says Louise Bradley, President and CEO, Mental Health Commission of Canada. "And what better time than Mental Health Week to launch a campaign that aligns so well with the Mental Health Strategy for Canada in its call to increase awareness, promote mental health, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health problems and illness."
CMHA has been a champion for mental health since 1918 and has played an important role in improving people's understanding of mental health and mental illness. CMHA introduced Mental Health Week (MHW) in 1951 to raise awareness of mental illness in Canada. MHW today offers people practical ways to maintain and improve their mental health and support their recovery from mental illness.
"CMHA recognizes that mental health begins where we live, work, and play. We actively support and encourage mental health for all Canadians, in all aspects of their daily lives, during Mental Health Week and throughout the year," adds Coleridge.
This year, CMHA is focusing on increasing awareness of women's mental health and mental illness by providing information, resources and the practical strategies and advice required to address women's mental health issues.
A list of CMHA's women's mental health programs and services across Canada can be found on CMHA's MHW website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.
Every year, CMHA's community locations host local Mental Health Week events 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 MHW website at www.mentalhealthweek.ca.
This year's Mental Health Week is generously supported by Medicine Shoppe Canada, Janssen Inc., The Co-operators, CGI, Home Trust Company, and Eli Lilly.
"Since the launch of our in-store fundraising campaign last year, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies have donated over $20,000 on behalf of their customers to support local CMHA projects," says Terry Stychin, President, Medicine Shoppe Canada. "Stores across Canada will continue to provide support to CMHA by collecting donations locally through our in-store fundraising program and we are proud to continue our support of CMHA during 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 MHW website.
About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness.
Visit the CMHA website at www.cmha.ca today.
SOURCE: Canadian Mental Health Association
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