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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

New Mental Health Course Created by Men for Men

December 8, 2021 By Communications Leave a Comment

HeChangedIt and Discovery College, a Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna initiative, have collaborated to create and release a new course designed to engage and support men.

The It’s Tough To Talk is designed as a ‘go at your own pace’ style course and is entirely free and available through the he. app.

The course is the first collaboration between HeChangedIt, a mobile platform specifically for men, and Discovery College. “When we were working to develop this course we knew we had to do the research to really find out what was important to men when it comes to opening up about what’s going on in their lives,” said Discovery College Lead Beki Hardcastle. “So we took the time to bring a group of men from our community together and talked to them about what they found to be helpful, and in turn, incorporated that into our course.”

It’s Tough To Talk focuses on topics like developing skills around communication and relationship building. Hardcastle says the course also encourages men to practice the skills they have learned and to talk online to other men who are completing the course. “It’s not just about learning new tools, it’s also about building a community and knowing you’re not on your own finding it hard to talk about things.”

“We are so grateful for the work that Discovery College and CMHA Kelowna do on a daily basis,” says HeChangedIt co-founder Candace Chisholm. “It has been extremely rewarding to work with this organization and to help provide another way to share help and support with as many men as possible.”

A dozen men were involved in the creation and design of It’s Tough To Talk. Some shared their personal stories on the course videos as a way to further break down the feelings of isolation that some men feel when it comes to talking about their mental health.

After more than eight months of development the course is now available to any man, 18 and up, who wants to sign up. It can be accessed by downloading the free he. app on any smart device.

Hardcastle says her hope is that through this course, they’ve created a place where men can be real about how they are feeling.  “At the end of the day, it’s tough to talk – and it can be even more so for men. So we want to provide a platform, some skills, and knowledge that help men share what they are going through and a way to manage through it.”

For more information on the It’s Tough to Talk course go to discoverycollegekelowna.com/our-courses/its-tough-to-talk/

 


 

About HeChangedIt
He Changed It is a mobile app created with the intent of a pro active approach to health and well being for men. Encouraging “Balance Before Burnout”, the he. app provides tools, resources, and most importantly, a peer community, to work through obstacles that hinder a balanced life. The app focuses on mental, emotional, physical, soul and social fitness. He Changed It

 

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. Discovery College

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CMHA Kelowna, Discovery College, free men's mental health app, He Changed It, men's mental health, men's mental health course

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