Ontario Child Health Study Getting Revival

In 1983, the late Dr. Dan Offord co-authored and led the Ontario Child Health Study, the largest and most comprehensive child mental health study of its kind at the time. Thirty years later, they're going even bigger.

Dr. Dan Offord (source: offordcentre.com)

CBC News reports that the study will expand its sample to 10,000 children from 7,020 families across Ontario. The study will also increase it's age range on the tail end by 2 years so now children between the ages of 4 and 18 years old will be included.

Study showed that 1 in 5 children have a mental health problem.

The original study used a sample of 3,294 children from 1,869 different families and determined that one in five children from the study had some type of mental health problem. (These conclusions drew worldwide attention and earned the study a reputation for being the most significant population-based study on children's mental health conducted anywhere. It became a model study for researchers of child health for the years to follow.)

We hope this study will once again bring the topic of child mental health issues to the forefront of society. We hope this study once again proves mental health affects more people than we think it does. 

Above all, we hope this study can once again start an open dialogue about mental health. Want to start that conversation sooner? We do, too. Drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter!

How to spot signs of a mental health concern in children:

"Brain Food" by Eden and Brian Prockert

 Foods that aid in the development of functions within the brain are considered “Brain Foods

A good example of this is fish. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Blood vessels of the brain are able to stay healthy and fluid. Allowing cells to function at their highest, fish provides nerve cells within the brain, improving mental health and cognitive function.  It may help relieve or prevent such mental illnesses as depression, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s. Being high in protein and low in calories and saturated fats, salmon is one of the most nutritious fish out there. Having a mild, tender taste, salmon lends itself to a variety of recipes and spice combinations.

There’s more to salmon than just omega-3 fatty acids. Protecting your body from damaging effects of free radicals, which can damage cells and leave them vulnerable to cancer, infection or other diseases, a trace mineral known as selenium, serving as a powerful antioxidant, is found in salmon. High levels of B vitamins, particularly B3 (niacin) and B12 (cobalamin) are also contained in salmon, which are vital for a healthy metabolism and good mental health.

Check out these great recipes from Eden and Brian Prockert ...

Staying Positive During The Holidays

For many people the holidays are a time of happiness, cheer and spending time with friends and family. We at Imagine, understand that for some that this is not the case,  and that the holidays can often be a hard and depressing time for those with mood and mental health disorders.  The days are short and cold, (especially in Winnipeg),  and it can be hard to watch others enjoy the holidays when you feel less then cheerful.  

We found a great article that discusses ways that you can stay positive during the holidays.  Everyone at Imagine and Eden Health Care Services wish you and your family a safe, positive and happy holiday season! Source: Positively Present 

5 Ways to Stay Positive During the Holidays...

We Can Take Action: Imagine 2012 (Photos)

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the 2012 Imagine Mental Health Matters cause and for walking/running aganst the stigma of mental illness. Your support is greatly appericated.

On behalf of our team we would like to thank all of our sponsors and those involved in the amazing event we had in Niverville. So many people have helped us get to where we are and we deeply appreciate it.

Again we have all proved that we can fight the stigma. We can take action. Everything you need is right inside you. All you need is to believe in you and the others around you. You were someone's champion on Saturday, September 22nd. Thank you again.

Click here to view photos from our 2012 Imagine Walk/Run
Pictures were taken by Soul Pix Photography

 

Lace Up: Why We Run.

Though one of the top priorities of our walk/run is to fundraise for Eden Mental Health, another important goal is to help fight the stigma often associated with mental illness.

The stigma associated with mental health prompts many people to avoid working, and socializing with people who have a mental disorder. To move forward as a community, improve care and encourage knowledge the stigma must be stopped. 

Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Depression, and  Anxiety are conditions that some people deal with on a daily basis. It is these same people that most would not recognize in a crowd full of the mentally stable.  These people are mothers, sisters, athletes, businessmen, doctors, and husbands living lives full of much more than just their mental disorder.


To get ourselves ready for this Saturday's Imagine run we wanted to bring you back to why we do what we do. You are the most powerful proof of the belief in our cause.

We want to prove that mental illness is just as worthy of attention as heart disease and cancer. Knowledge is  half the battle when fighting stigma. Eden Mental Health provides resources to better educate people on the presence and definition of mental illness, along with ways to eliminate the stigmas often associated with it. 

Whether you're a runner or a walker, lace up this weekend and show that you are not ashamed to say that you care for your own mental health. 


More on Eden Mental Health Centre's services:

• Psychiatric assessment and treatment for persons dealing with acute mental health issues.
• In-patient treatment for persons requiring hospitalization.
• Out-patient psychiatric services

Eden's psychiatric specialists team provides recovery based treatment utilizing best practices.

Head for the Hills - Eden's Bike Ride

Need something to prepare you for Imagine's September 22nd Run? Your in luck, Eden's Head for the Hills Bike Ride is scheduled is Saturday,September 8th.  This year will mark the event's 10th anniversary ride. 

The Head for the Hills Bike Ride has become one of Eden's most important fund-raising events of the year, with the last two years having raised in excess of $62,000 each year.  The goal for the 10th anniversary ride is to raise $80,000 and if that goal can be achieved, the bike ride can accurately claim to have raised $500,000 in ten years.

James Friesen the CEO of Eden Health Care Services combined his passion for riding with his compassion for those who deal with mental health issues and the Head for the Hills Bike Ride became a reality.

Over these past nine years, riders from all over have come to ride in the hills.  The ride is scenic and roughly follows the Trans Canada Trail from Colert Beach near Morden, MB meandering southward for some 36 kilometers to a destination along the edge of the Pembina Escarpment not far from the US border.  As in previous years, two routes are planned, one which takes the rider along a groomed trail through wooded areas as well as road ways and the second route taking the rider along a road course and equally as scenic as the first.

The cost of registration is low so that as many people as possible can have the experience of riding in an organized event.  Funds are fully tax-deductible and will be used to support the efforts and programs that the community has called Eden Health Care Services to provide on its behalf.

Riders can register online and those who are willing to sponsor a rider can also access the list of riders and donate in support.

Welcoming Eden To Our Team

We at Imagine are proud to announce that we have teamed up with Eden Health Care Services, a cause that is just as devoted to being a resource for people we mental illness. 
Eden Health Care Services, is Winkler-based organization that encompasses an acute care mental health treatment facility, residential care services and supported housing, counselling services, as well as vocational assessment and training for individuals with employment barriers.

The programs of Eden Health Care Services provide a wide range of services and resources that support individuals and families in recovery from mental illness, primarily in South Central Manitoba, South Eastman and Winnipeg.

This year all proceeds from our 10k run and 5k walk will be donated to  Eden Health Care Services to further assist them to do what they do best!

And here at Imagine, we will continue to do what we have promised: raising public awareness & erasing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Imagine a world where we could personally talk about schizophrenia, depression, addictions, suicide or phobias in an atmosphere as relaxed as talking about hip-replacements or tennis elbow.

To donate today visit our website and consider running in this September's 5k walk / 10k run (see more information below)

IMAGINE PRESENTS

THE 2012 HALF MARATHON & 5K/10K Run/Walk
Welcome all Runners & Walkers to the 2012 Imagine Run.
Location: Hespler Park - Niverville
Date: Saturday, September 22,2012, 9:00am.

To register visit: http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=7746