New Seniors' Mental Health Initiative aimed at the one in five seniors who have
symptoms of depression
NANAIMO, BC, July 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Shoppers Drug Mart, the Government of Canada and the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) have teamed up to help seniors dealing with depression and thoughts of suicide.
With the financial support and collaboration of the Government of Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart, the CCSMH has developed new mental health resources for seniors and their caregivers, now available at your local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy.
Thanks to this partnership, Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists now have access to new continuing education tools on depression and suicide prevention for older adults – which means that seniors and their caregivers can turn to their local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist for help.
In addition, two new brochures were developed on depression and suicide prevention, to help seniors identify symptoms and connect them with treatment. This new information is available at Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies across Canada and online.
"Depression isn't easy for seniors to talk about, but your local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist can help," said Mike Motz, President of Shoppers Drug Mart. "Thanks to new education and information available in our stores, our pharmacists can help seniors to detect symptoms of mental illness and access treatment. I want to thank the Government of Canada and the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health for their support of this crucial initiative."
"Our Government is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of Canada's seniors and their families and are pleased to be working with the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health and Shoppers Drug Mart on an initiative that will improve the quality of life among seniors," said Minister John Duncan, Chief Government Whip and MP for Vancouver Island North.
"The launch of the new Seniors' Mental Health Initiative underscores our Government's commitment to support seniors so that they can continue to participate in their communities and enjoy the best quality of life possible," said Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Health and MP for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo.
"Seniors and their caregivers are looking for accurate information about the signs of depression and suicide, treatment options, where to get help, and how to live and age well," said Dr. David Conn, Co-Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. "That's why were so pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart to develop and make these important resources available to seniors across the country."
In addition to the Seniors' Mental Health Initiative, Shoppers Drug Mart proudly supports local women's mental health programs across Canada through the Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women, held in 12 communities across Canada this past year, and the Shoppers Drug Mart Ride Don't Hide biking event, held in 14 communities across British Columbia in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association.
About Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec). With over 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The Company also licenses or owns 59 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and six luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. As well, the Company owns and operates 62 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services; and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities. Shoppers Drug Mart is a unique and independent operating division of Loblaw Companies Limited. For more information, visit www.shoppersdrugmart.ca.
SOURCE Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation
Lana Gogas, Shoppers Drug Mart, 416.493.1220, ext. 5141, [email protected]
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