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CMHA Kelowna collaborates with HeChangedIt to launch new series, supporting men’s mental health.

November 8, 2022 By Communications Leave a Comment

KELOWNA, BC, November 8, 2022 – CMHA Kelowna’s Discovery College is launching their new Real Talk series on November, 24th. The first of the series’ focus is on men’s mental health, in collaboration with HeChangedIt. The purpose of the Discovery College Real Talk series is to bring people together and know we’re not alone in our experiences.

Men’s mental health is an important, but frequently unspoken topic. November is often recognized as men’s health month through Movember. During Real Talk: MENtal Health, CMHA Kelowna hopes to break down the stereotype so often connected to “being a man” while also acknowledging the conversation about men’s mental health can’t stop at the end of November.

Stigma and shame so often contribute to why a man doesn’t seek mental health support, and men are three times more likely to die by suicide. That’s why CMHA Kelowna and HeChangedIt create change, giving men more mental health support and resources. Real Talk: MENtal Health’s goal is to open up the conversation with a panel of six men sharing their experiences, breaking down what it means to ‘man up’, and giving understanding about the realities that men are facing, and offering support for attendees. Panels will include HeCast podcast host Mike Chisholm, retired NHL burn survivor & Author, Aaron Volpatti, and local coffee roaster Dan Connolly of The Local Chemist.

Mike Gawliuk, CEO of CMHA Kelowna, said “Statistics on depression and suicide highlight how prevalent mental health challenges are with men. Unfortunately, men are much less likely to seek or receive mental health care. There needs to be a bigger shift in our culture so that openly discussing mental health issues and accessing supports is seen as an act of strength, not weakness.”

Andre Brosseau, President of Innov8 Digital Solutions spoke of why they chose to sponsor the event, “All too often there are men who are suffering in silence. The typical social norms suppress men’s ability to express and share the challenges they are facing and HeChangedIt & CMHA Kelowna are helping redefine this. We truly believe it is important to recognize and help bring this to the forefront.”

The in-person event will take place at Okanagan Co-Lab from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 24th. Attendees will hear from a panel of guys talking about their experiences and also have the opportunity to browse some local men’s organizations and businesses, and network with guys who want to change what it means to ‘man-up’.

You can register online for your free in-person ticket at www.discoverycollegekelowna.com.
Real Talk: MENtal Health is proudly sponsored by Innov8 Digital Solutions, and brought to you by CMHA Kelowna’s Discovery College in collaboration with HeChangedIt, and support from Co-Lab & Rebellious Unicorns.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CMHA Kelowna, Discovery College Kelowna, men's mental health, mental health, real talk

Peer Support program gets boost from Bell Let’s Talk

January 24, 2022 By Communications Leave a Comment

CMHA Kelowna is pleased to receive an $18,000 grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund to support the development of Peer School, a free online program for people to learn how to help and support others.

Provided through CMHA Kelowna’s Discovery College online platform, Peer School is a range of workshops created to increase an individual’s ability to provide caring and compassionate support.

“Peer School is designed for people who are currently, or are interested in, helping others,” said Beki Hardcastle, Discovery College Lead. “So, whether you’re a friend that people go to, a caregiver supporting a child, a partner helping a loved one, or just wanting to gain these skills, Peer School workshops are tailored to assist you in this.”

As with all Discovery College programs, Peer School workshops are created by experts through experience and experts through learning. “The goal is to share what people have found to be the most important and supportive,” said Hardcastle. “So, all of our workshops are co-developed with individuals who have personal life-experience and with people who have educational or work experience.”

With Bell’s funding, CMHA Kelowna will implement topics that include boundary setting, communication skills, understanding helpful relationships, goal setting, mental health literacy, facilitation skills, and Indigenous cultural competencies.

“The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund grant supports our commitment to building a mentally healthy community,” said CMHA Kelowna CEO Shelagh Turner. “Our goal is to provide excellent service and smart supports that will make a difference in helping all people achieve mental health and well-being. This important grant will help us to get a step closer in building a stronger community.”

“Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to support CMHA Kelowna and the development of Peer School workshops to help people in the community learn how to support others,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund provides grants to mental health organizations in communities throughout the country, like CMHA Kelowna, working to expand access to mental health care for more people who need support close to home.”

Bell Let’s Talk Day is January 26

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video, and every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens. All at no cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access.

Bell Let’s Talk promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let’s Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

About Discovery College

CMHA Kelowna’s Discovery College offers free educational courses for anyone and everyone. Each course is developed and delivered in collaboration with people who have knowledge and personal experience in each topic area and are designed to increase a person’s skills, abilities and confidence to self-manage their own mental health and wellbeing. To learn more, please visit Discovery College.

About CMHA Kelowna

The CMHA Kelowna Branch is a charity that promotes the mental health of all through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy and research. It is the lead agency and operator of Foundry Kelowna, an integrated youth and family centre that unites partner organizations to provide coordinated services addressing the primary care, mental health, substance use, counselling and social service needs of youth aged 12 – 24 and their families. CMHA Kelowna is part of a network of more than 10,000 CMHA volunteers and staff in more than 100 branches across Canada. To learn more, please visit CMHA Kelowna.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Bell Let's Talk Day, CMHA Kelowna Peer School, Discovery College Kelowna, peer support

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