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Youth Housing Program Gets National Nod

October 19, 2023 By Communications Leave a Comment

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna is being recognized for their unique housing program for youth.

The program, called Bright Mindz, has received an honorary mention from the Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Prevention Awards, which are handed out to organizations that have ‘created an innovative initiative that have truly accelerated approaches to youth homelessness prevention in Canada’.

Bright Mindz is a youth housing initiative comprised of 18 micro suites for youth between the ages of 17-24 who are on the path towards adulthood. Focusing on advancing a young person’s education or career, the program provides homes to young people to experience independence while still having access to support.

CMHA Kelowna CEO, Mike Gawliuk says it is an honour to be recognized along with other programs from across the country that are taking a different approach to preventing youth homelessness.

“CMHA Kelowna is proud to operate the Bright Mindz program. We are providing youth with a home, and the supports and connections they need to prevent them from becoming the next generation of unhoused adults.”

The program launched in 2019 in an apartment building constructed by Worman Homes. The local builder worked closely with CMHA Kelowna to be able to provide an entire floor of suites for the program. Bright Mindz is further supported through partnerships with other youth service organizations in the community, BC Housing, and the Ministry of Child and Development. Local donors like the KGH Foundation Kiwanis Legacy Foundation played a significant role in supporting the program during its first few years of operation.

The Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Prevention Awards ceremony will take place in Halifax in November. Gawliuk says he hopes this recognition will help programs like this gain more support and funding. “At a time when so many communities are urgently focused on addressing the needs of unhoused individuals, it is essential to also consider the necessity and impact of prevention and early intervention initiatives, in particular those focused on youth and young adults.”

Find out more information about CMHA Kelowna’s Bright Mindz program

 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Bright Mindz youth housing, CMHA Kelowna, CMHA Kelowna youth housing award, Kelowna, Making the shift award, youth homelessness

Move for your Mood

March 18, 2021 By Communications Leave a Comment

Move to improve your mental health

Before we talk about how to improve your mental health, let’s make sure we agree on what we’re talking about. At the Canadian Mental Health Association, we notice that people use the terms “mental health” and “mental illness” interchangeably, but really, they mean different things.

Mental illnesses are disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that are severe enough to affect day-to-day functioning.[i] Some examples are anxiety disorders or major depression, and by age 40, about half of people in Canada will have or have had a mental illness.

Mental health, however, is a state of well-being, and we all have it. Some signs of good mental health are enjoying life, having a sense of purpose, and being able to manage life’s highs and lows.

One in five people in Canada will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year.[ii] But five in five of us have mental health that needs to be protected and promoted.

The good news is, there are things we can all do to promote and protect our mental health, and they can be as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.

Move to feel well

You don’t need to run to get a runner’s high. Any aerobic activity, such as powerwalking to the grocery store, climbing a toboggan hill or doing jumping jacks in your basement pumps up endorphins and floods your brain with feel-good chemicals.

If you’re feeling tense or trapped by your always-on monkey brain, movement can be a form of meditation, too. Ever notice how you’ve forgotten the stresses of your day after a long walk?

People who exercise report feeling less stressed or nervous, and regular heart-pumping movement can reduce tension, fatigue and anger, and improve your mood, your self-esteem and your body image. For even greater benefits, get moving outdoors! Recent studies have found people report a higher level of vitality, enthusiasm and pleasure after they have walked outside.

Move to manage illness

In people with a diagnosed mental illness, such as depression, regular physical activity can even help treat your symptoms.[iii] In the short term, vigorous exercise that really gets your heart pumping can boost your mood after just 10 or 15 minutes.

And, if you get moving regularly, this trains your brain over time to help regulate your mood and can even relieve depression.

Ride the ups and downs of life

Remember: even if you don’t have a mental illness, that doesn’t mean you’ll feel great all the time. You might experience stress, a difficult life event, or burnout. Just like anyone can catch a cold or flu, everyone experiences the ups and downs of life.

So, there’s not just the one in five of us who have mental illnesses, and “the rest of us” who don’t. There is no rest of us. There is just us—all five in five. And regular physical activity can help all of us feel better, mentally and physically.

Are you looking for mental health services or supports in your own community? Visit www.cmha.ca to find your local CMHA. If you are thinking of suicide, please visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca or call 1-833-456-4566; in QC, call 1-866-APPELLE.

[i] Quick Facts: Mental Illness & Addiction in Canada. Mood Disorders Society of Canada

[ii] https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness

[iii] https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-all-natural-treatment-to-fight-depression

This article was written for ParticipACTION’s Move for your Mood campaign and originally appeared on the CMHA National website

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CMHA, CMHA Kelowna, depression, exercise for depression, Kelowna, mental health, move for your mood

3 tips to get the spring back in your step

March 22, 2019 By Leave a Comment

We have weathered the snow storms and bundled up through the freezing temperatures, and now spring is just around the corner. While winter can be grey, spring offers a new beginning. Why not start this spring off as your best self?

As the days grow more green and bright, we have three tips to help you feel your best this season.

1. Get outside

As spring approaches, we’ll see more daylight and more sunshine. Vitamin-D, which comes from the sun, can boost your mood and energy levels. This spring, take advantage of the warmer weather and catch some rays. You can also increase your Vitamin-D intake by using light therapy or taking supplements.

2. Get active

Exercising relieves stress and increases energy. While working out and staying active may be easier said than done some days, start off by setting small goals. Take the stairs instead of riding the escalator. Go for a ten-minute walk on your lunch break. These small initiatives will contribute to your physical and mental well-being.

3. Eat a balanced diet

It’s easy to turn to comfort foods when you’re feeling under the weather. While it’s okay to treat yourself, it’s also important to ensure your diet is filled with foods that make you feel good. Make sure to include a lot of fruits and veggies in your diet to keep your spirits up. Some research suggests that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and eggs, may also help to boost your mood.


Even when we have great mental health, we can still experience hard days. It’s important to remember to recognize how we are feeling and ask for help when it’s needed. If you’re in need of support, you can find help here.

This article originally appeared on the CMHA National website

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CMHA, CMHA Kelowna, Kelowna, mental health, mental health awareness, mental health tips, spring

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