Rendezvous with Madness!

Heads up Torontonians and those visiting the GTA this weekend: The 19th Annual Rendezvous with Madness is coming up!!! The festival will feature more than 25 films, talks, industry events and performances; all forms of collaboration will be addressing the issues of mental health and addiction.

Spread the word!

Official Website for More Details: http://www.rendezvouswithmadness.com/

An Uplifting Morning at Vanier College

Last Tuesday I took the metro from McGill to Cote-Vertu to attend a special presentation by Danielle Viens. It was my first time at Vanier College and I was pleasantly surprised by what was to come...

Viens, who is the new public awareness coordinator at AMI Quebec, gave a 40-minute presentation on the subject of mental health.  The information session was directed to Cindy Bauer's Adaptation and Behaviour Problems students who were more than willing to participate in class discussions. 

Following Viens, we were graced by Sonia Teoli, who shared her personal struggles with mental health. Teoli, a middle-aged woman, elaborated on the importance of education in her recovery from suicide and depression.

It was great to see so many adolescents interested in the issues surrounding mental health. Open discussions like the one that took place in Bauer's class are the solution to eliminating the stigma!

Montreal Walks for Mental Health 2011

Yesterday morning marked the third Montreal Walks for Mental Health event. It was announced that this has been approved by the city of Montreal to become an annual happening. There were guest speakers that shared a few kind words...

Michel Mpambara, Guy Latraverse and Margaret Trudeau expressed their thoughts on mental illnesses. Firstly, Mpambara, comedian extraordinaire, highlighted the importance of raising awareness and informing others of mental illness. Secondly, Guy Latraverse, President of the Board of Directors of Revivre, an organization devoted toward people living with anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder took the stage. Guy had the audience members captured by his personal recollection of the confusion and depression experienced with the onset of bipolar disorder. Thirdly, Margaret Trudeau, Canadian author and advocate of mental health also spoke of her personal experience with bipolar disorder and underlined the important role of mental health professionals in her recovery.

The 5km walk around downtown Montreal stopped traffic and raised eyebrows. Pedestrians and weekend shoppers were all trying to catch a glimpse of the signs, banners and proud faces of those participating in the walk- myself included.

All in all the walk was a huge success. The event is a symbol of hope, as it helps people affected by mental health disorders realize they are not alone. There are many organizations in the Montreal area that are devoted to people affected by mental illness (see the list below). So tell your friends that Montreal will Walk for Mental Health next October and the October after that until everyone is educated on the subject of mental health and feels comfortable enough to step forward to get the help they need to recover.

Agence OMETZ	Douglas Mental Health University Institute Foundation
AMI Québec	Forward House
CSSS Cavendish	L'Abri en Ville
CSSS de la Montagne	Revivre
Cummings Centre

Let's Cheers To Good Mental Health!

Tomorrow, October 10th, is not just Thanksgiving- it is World Mental Health Day. It is important in our society to recognize mental health issues as being as severe an issue as physical disabilities. In fact people who suffer from Alzheimer's, anxiety disorder, Huntington's and severe psychotic disorder- among the 20% of Canadians who suffer from a mental illness - need the general public's help more than those suffering from a physical disability. What kind of "help" am I referring to? I am addressing the issue of stigma that is attached to mental health problems. Often the idea of bipolar or schizophrenia is a subject of entertainment on popular television shows, even though they are serious issues affecting millions of people. If people are educated on the the symptoms of mental health disorders as well as the social, financial and emotional repercussions it can have on a person's life the stigma can be eliminated altogether. Ignorance fuels stigma- so lets get informed! Furthermore, in a stigma-ridden society people who are experiencing the symptoms of a mental health disorder may feel slightly more comfortable in coming forth to get the help they need to recover.  So how can you help!? Tomorrow when the family is gathered around the dinner table and counting their blessings make a simple toast: "Let's Cheers to Good Mental Health!".