News

Mental Illness Awareness Week highlights the need for timely access to mental health care

The first full week of October invites Canadians to share the realities of living with mental health issues through Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).

MIAW is an annual national public education campaign coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH). The campaign aims to engage Canadians in a national conversation about mental illness and provide insight into the services and supports available.

The pandemic has brought on new challenges and highlighted existing struggles that Canadians face. A survey by CMHA Ontario showed that nearly half (48 per cent) of Ontarians say their mental health has worsened over the past two years. Substance use among Ontarians has also increased, and one in four people (24 per cent) have sought help for their mental health challenges since the pandemic began.

Access to services and community support play a big part in the way people experience mental illnesses. As a member of CAMIMH, CMHA supports the vision of a Canada where everyone has timely access to mental health programs, services and supports without barriers. Visit the CAMIMH website for more information on the MIAW campaign.

Agriculture Wellness Ontario launches with three free farming mental health programs 

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) are proud to announce the launch of Agriculture Wellness Ontario, a suite of programs designed to ensure farmers are getting mental health support when and where they need it.  

Living in rural areas, and the stigma surrounding mental health, can make it more difficult for farmers to seek help. Agriculture Wellness Ontario’s new site is designed to make it easy to seek support and increase mental health literacy from one starting point.

Agriculture Wellness Ontario programs currently include the Farmer Wellness Initiative, a free individual counselling service; The Guardian Network, a volunteer suicide-prevention network; and, In the Know, a mental health literacy workshop tailored to the agriculture  community. The site also features additional resources which are available to the agriculture community.

With support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and other mental health and agriculture sector experts, including the University of Guelph, these barrier-free mental health programs are tailored to support those working in Ontario’s powerhouse agriculture sector. 

To learn more visit AgricultureWellnessOntario.ca.

Fall Mood Walks (Vankleek Hill)

Are you looking for an opportunity to socialize and practice wellness strategies? Join us every Tuesday of October from 10:30am to 11:30am and explore the benefits of  the Mood Walks walking program on physical and mental health – Meet at the Recreational Trail Prescott-Russell, Vankleek Hill Pavilion (5140 Highway 34, Vankleek Hill). The program includes 4 themed walks (October 4, 11, 18 and 25).

For more info: Geneviève at 613-551-1017 or Fall Mood Walk (Vankleek Hill)-Mood Walk (cmha-east.on.ca)

Register for the next mental health literacy program for farmers and the agricultural community Nov 29^th, 2022. In-Person training, Fournier, ON (Lunch Included) Limited seating register here: In the Know-Mood Walk (cmha-east.on.ca

Fundraising Dinner

Click here for more details