We all have Mental Health and it impacts each and every one of us. Mental Health is the absence of illness or a condition. It allows us to face challenges, and enjoy our lives. People can have positive mental health or, they can have poor mental health without having a condition. Mental Health is not fixed and can be influenced by your workplace, our experiences and other experiences such as social and economic conditions.
Just like physical illness, mental illness can be caused by a variety of reasons. People are still afraid of and still don't fully understand mental illnesses. On a positive note, people are becoming more educated which lessens their fears. It was hardly ever talked about so, many people suffered through it alone and were left to cope anyway that they could on their own. Bi-polar disorder, anxiety, depression, eating disorders are just a few of the many mental illnesses as well as, addictions. The good thing is, all mental illness can be treated. Medication prescribed by a Psychiatrist, along with therapy and counselling are the usual steps taken toward recovery.
Community agencies, health clinics and hospitals offer programs and services that meet your needs. If you feel that you could use some help with your mental health, here in Windsor, we have the Canadian Mental Health Association. They will get you on the road to recovery. You can get all the education you and those around you need. Of course, if you feel like you are in a crisis situation, call 911.
The CMHA was founded in 1918 and is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada. They have representation in every province and territory from urban to rural communities. The CMHA continues to change to meet society's evolving mental health. Through a network of staff and volunteers, the CMHA is able to fulfill their vision of mentally healthy people in a mentally healthy society.
Windsor and Essex county were in dire need of mental health services. As people were discharged from provincial institutions, they had no where to go to get the help they needed. They also needed somewhere that was local, close to their families and homes. With next to nothing for funds and the hard work and dedication of the original Board of Directors, the Windsor-Essex CMHA was formed.
Other organizations are available to assist you also. Mental Health Connections, Community Crisis Centre and for kids and youth, there is Children First and We R Kids to name a few. Also, more workplaces are getting involved with employee mental health and have opted to have counsellors available.
Tomorrow, January 28, 2015 is Bell's Let's Talk yearly program to break the silence on mental illness and support mental health across Canada. Talking is the first step to change, awareness, acceptance and action. The Let's Talk program was created as a way to raise funds to improve programs and services that allow people with mental illness to get the care and support they need. Get to know the facts and take your first step to a better understanding of mental illness.
On January 28,
Let’s Talk
Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives for every:
- Text message sent*
- Mobile & long distance call made*
- Tweet using #BellLetsTalk
- Share of the Facebook image
To find out more about mental health and the Bell Let's Talk program, visit their site at http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/
Written By: Mike Crawford
No comments:
Post a Comment