Media Contact for the BC Partners is Sarah Hamid-Balma, c/o 604-688-3234 or 1-800-555-8222.
With national Mental Health Week just wrapped up, the final Senate report on mental health addiction services released, and Margaret Trudeau’s life with bipolar disorder disclosed, mental well-being has been in the news a lot recently. Let’s remember to keep in top of mind year-round. A just-released national study on mental and physical fitness finds for the second year running that Canadians are still more specific about setting goals for physical fitness than mental fitness. One way to take an active role in improving mental well-being is to work through our eight Wellness Modules at www.heretohelp.bc.ca. They are short, easy to understand and free to read, download, print and distribute to loved ones or colleagues. They cover such areas as stress management, social supports, managing anger, problem-solving, getting a good night’s sleep, eating and living well, healthy thinking, and an overview of mental health. Many have quizzes and step-by-step guides. You’re sure to learn something new. If you’d prefer a print copy, you can get a free one mailed to you by calling the BC Mental Health Information Line at 1-800-661-2121. All the resources at HereToHelp are produced by a non-profit collective of seven mental health and addictions agencies in BC, funded by the Provincial Health Services Authority. Make one of your goals this year to work through each module, and share them with family members. And remember to take time out for mental health—not just during Mental Health Week but each day.
Sarah Hamid-Balma
Director of Public Education
Canadian Mental Health Association
c/o BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information
Vancouver, BC
