National Volunteer Week 2010: April 19 was National Volunteer week kick off day in Canada. In Cranbrook, the City showed its support for NVW by raising the ‘volunteer flag’ at City Hall. The week gave us the occasion to both recognize the work done by volunteers and to become involved in charitable work ourselves. Volunteer Kootenays, under the auspices of the Association, recognized and honored community volunteers from a wide variety of volunteer roles and backgrounds in the hosting its 5th Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner. This gala event was a huge success with the venue filled to capacity with both volunteers and sponsors. Keynote speaker was Donna Butler (2010 Olympics Volunteer). The occasion recognized outstanding volunteers from four award categories including: Youth of the Year (sponsored by BC Hydro); Family of the Year (sponsored by Sara and Jerry Boutin, Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty); Group of the Year (sponsored by Wally Eddy, Investors Group); Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by CMHA for the Kootenays). We congratulate winners from each of the four categories. Special thanks and deep appreciation also goes out to the many businesses that chose to support the Volunteer Awards Dinner event by way of ‘Table Sponsorship’. Without this generous support the evening would not have been possible.   www.volunteer.ca

To learn more about the Volunteer Appreciation Events please Click here

National Prevention of Violence Against Women Week 2010: Across the country the week of April 18-24 2010 was dedicated to educational activities which profile attitudes that lead to violence. Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays is pleased to support this very important work not only during National Prevention of Violence Against Women Week but continuously throughout the year. Teaching today’s children that violence is unacceptable helps to create the generational change needed to make all violence, including domestic violence, a thing of the past. Violence is a learned behaviour and can therefore be unlearned. Throughout the week the Association engaged in many activities and events designed to promote education on the issue of violence. One such activity included the involvement of women’s serving program staff and clients with community partners in the ‘Clothesline’ project which profiled Tee-shirt art displayed at various locations and Cranbrook businesses.  Government services for women.

Mental Health Week 2010: The Canadian Mental Health Association's 59th Mental Health Week took place May 3rd through 9th, and was sponsored by Desjardins Financial Security. This year’s theme is “Building your mental health, one support at a time”. The national awareness week provided Canadians with many opportunities to find out more about the people who support us to live mentally healthy lives. Even though one in five Canadians, over the course of their lives, can experience mental illness, there is still a great reluctance to talk about it, acknowledge it openly and treat it as a form of human illness. Still, surprisingly, much stigma remains.
To challenge the stigma of this barrier CMHA for the Kootenays engaged in a number of mental health promotion activities during Mental Health Week which included: hosting an information and activity table for the public in several community locations throughout the week, including the Tamarack Centre, Local high and middle schools, and at the Associations main office; promoting mental health awareness through tips on living well on Radio Stations B104 and the Drive 106.7; and collaborating with other community service providers to build a teepee in Rotary Park, which symbolized this year’s theme Building your mental health, one support at a time”.   www.cmha.ca  

Public Education Video Courtnall Family Story: To experience a mental illness is not the path anyone would choose willingly. However, personal experience is the greatest teacher in the life learning process. What is especially encouraging is the knowledge of how many people, like you, are willing to learn about mental illness and mental health issues and to accept the growing number of people living with the disorder. As you'll learn from the most recent recipients of the CMHA Provincial Mental Health Voices Award The Courtnall Family Story ; life is full of unexpected moments. We appreciate the on-going support we receive from people just such as you that helps Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays unlock the mysteries and stigma of mental illness and to better serve our families and communities now and in the future.

Public Education Mental Illness First Aid Video Shelby's Story: In response to increasing demand, we have recently undertaken a major expansion in our public education department to include increased course delivery options. One such addition, includes a two-day sensitivity workshop on Mental Illness First Aid or the MIFA course as we refer to it. The benefits and merits of this first-aid approach to mental illness awareness will be self-evident when viewed in the video presentation Shelby's Story.

Membership Information 2010: Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays is privileged to have a strong membership base. CMHA for the Kootenays membership totals for the 2009-2010 term were 288 (271 voting; 17 non-voting). By joining CMHA, you become of CMHA for the Kootenays; CMHA BC Division, and CMHA National. The annual membership term is from April 1 through March 31 and fees are $5 (subsidized); $20 (individual); and $50 (organization). As a Kootenay-wide organization the Board of Directors recognizes the importance of strong membership participation. Should you wish to learn more about becoming a member, a volunteer, or learning more about staffing opportunities and the board of directors, or participating in focus groups please contact the Administration Office @ 250.426.5222 or visit our website at www.kootenays.cmha.bc.ca

Mental Wellness Education: Could you or someone you love be affected by a mental illness? Do you know common signs and symptoms of mental distress? Do you know who you can talk to, to learn more information? We, at Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays can help by providing answers and by referring you to external resources to better address your mental health questions. We do provide a wide range of programs and services to individuals, families, youth and children that support mental wellness in our communities. We can provide information on:
• How to recognize specific disorders how to seek information on mental health and substance use problems
• risk factors and causes, self-care techniques, and professional help available
• mental health issues, such as housing, stigma, and mental illness in the workplace
• the experiences of people with mental illness, their families, friends, and people working in the mental health field
• navigating BC's mental health system
Contact us to learn more: (250) 426-5222 or visit us on the web at www.kootenays.cmha.bc.ca