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:

Imagine Supports Pink Shirt Day

Bullying is a major problem in our schools, workplaces, homes, and over the Internet. Today,February 27, 2013 we encourage all of you to wear something pink to symbolize that we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere. We wish we could take credit for this idea but it comes from two incredible Nova Scotia high school students. Here is a snippet of the Globe & Mail article which inspired it:

“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school.

‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’

So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag.

As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled.

The bullies were never heard from again.”

Do you have a story about being bullied, how you stopped a bully or about how bullying has affected a loved one? Share your experiences here by leaving a comment.

If you are a student, print off this web page and give to your Principal / Headmaster / etc. so that your school can get involved. Also, drop us an email to let us know who you are and which school you attend.

More information and details about this project will be posted on this website soon. Until then, be sure to click on the links / menu items at the top of the page to learn how you, your school, business or organization can get involved.

Also, join the Facebook Event by clicking HERE. Last year over 160,000 people committed on Facebook to wear pink and help stop bullying.

MCC Thrift Store Supports Local Organizations

Please take a moment to read this amazing story from the Eden Foundation.

MCC Thrift Store board chair Gord Kornelson, presented five charitable agencies with cheques. Each of the agencies received a portion of funds available from the proceeds of sales at the Steinbach MCC Thrift Store. Mr. Kornelson pointed out that not only does MCC support efforts overseas but also supports efforts locally.

Recipients of that generosity were South-east Helping Hands, Soup’s On, Anna’s House, Today House and our own Debra Stockwell on behalf of Segue Career Options and Eden Foundation. Ms. Stockwell was most pleased not only to receive support from neighbours across the street from MCC but equally as important has been the fact that the Segue Career Options program was recognized by MCC Steinbach as a service of significance to the community of Steinbach along with other local helping organizations.

On hand to receive cheques were Hank Klassen representing South-east Helping Hands, Joy Barkman representing Soup’s On, Vicki Olatundun representing Anna’s House, Simone Penner representing Today House and Debra Stockwell representing Segue Career Options.

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...

Local Bullying Awareness

Before 2011, the third week of November was the unofficial National Bullying Awareness Week. Now, thanks to the efforts of local radio host Ace Burpee, the week is officially recognized by the Canadian Government.

This year the National Bullying Awareness Week fell between November 12th and 17th. With Virgin Radio leading much of the charge, plenty of local efforts were made to support the cause. Many of the programs in Winnipeg are not only offered during National Bullying Awareness Week, but also are available on different dates throughout the year.

Organized by the University of Manitoba, Bisons Against Bullying is a free program that reaches out to youth in grades 4, 5 and 6. Bison Athletes visit schools to make interactive speeches and presentations on the subject of bullying to kids. By telling stories of their own personal hardships and experiences with bullying, the athletes are able to relate to the youth and make the program a hit.

The Rainbow Resource Centre focuses on creating a safe community where LGBTT youth can gather to discuss their personal experiences of bullying and develop resiliency. The Y.E.A.H (Youth Educating against Homophobia) program provides presentations in schools which aim to celebrate diversity, teach youth to identify and stop homophobia-based bullying and encourage role models to step up.

The Youth Agencies Alliance is a group supported by The United Way, which consists of organizations that serve the youth of Winnipeg. For the National Bullying Awareness Week, the Alliance shared personal bullying stories from people in Winnipeg on their facebook page. Additionally, the United Way supports the Canadian Red Cross’s RespectED program, which visits schools to present workshops on how to prevent and deal with violence and bullying.

The goals of the National Bullying Awareness Week are reflected in the various programs available throughout Manitoba. All focus on educating youth about issues of bullying to promote tolerance and responsiveness. 

Source: United Way Winnipeg

Beating The Bullys

One in 12 youngsters are bullied so badly that it affects their education, relationships and even their job prospects in later life.

And in 10 to 15 cases every year the bullying reaches such a dreadful level that it drives its young victims to suicide. (Daily Mirror's Beat the Bullies campaign) 

Here are 3 ways you can teach your children to beat off bullies.

1. Find out your school's anti-bullying policy and make sure your child knows it's okay to talk to a teacher. As soon as you encounter behaviour which is not acceptable to you let them know to talk to someone.

2. A bully thrives off the fact that you are too scared to confront them. Teach your child to ignore negative comments and the power of the word "No!" It is difficult to pick on someone who won't stand still to listen to threats.

3. Be Cautious. Change your route to school, avoid certain parts of the playground. Safety is the most important thing.

Don't ever let your child feel like a victim. If you have been bullied for a long time, you might start to believe what the bully says. Sit down with your child and have them make a list of all the good things they can think of about themselves. 

How to be happy: Tips for cultivating contentment

Are you tired of waiting around for happiness to find you? Stop waiting and start getting happy with these tips.

Do you know how to be happy? Or are you waiting for happiness to find you? Despite what the fairy tales depict, happiness doesn't appear by magic. It's not even something that happens to you. It's something you can cultivate. So, what are you waiting for? Start discovering how to be happy.

How to be happy: What science tells us

Only 10 percent or so of the variation in people's reports of happiness can be explained by differences in their circumstances. The bulk of what determines happiness is your personality and — more modifiable — your thoughts and behaviors. So, yes, you can learn how to be happy — or at least happier.

Although you may have thought, as many people do, that happiness comes from being born rich or beautiful or living a stress-free life, the reality is that those things don't confer lasting happiness. Indeed, how to be happy can't be boiled down to one thing. Happiness is the sum of your life choices. People who are happy seem to intuitively know this, and their lives are built on the following pillars:

• Devoting time to family and friends
• Appreciating what they have
• Maintaining an optimistic outlook
• Feeling a sense of purpose
• Living in the moment

How to be happy: Practice, practice, practice

The good news is that your choices, thoughts and actions can influence your level of happiness. It's not as easy as flipping a switch, but you can turn up your happiness level. Here's how to get started on the path to creating a happier you.

Invest in relationships

Surround yourself with happy people. Being around people who are content buoys your own mood. And by being happy yourself, you give something back to those around you.

Friends and family help you celebrate life's successes and support you in difficult times. Although it's easy to take friends and family for granted, these relationships need nurturing. Build up your emotional account with kind words and actions. Be careful and gracious with critique. Let people know that you appreciate what they do for you or even just that you're glad they're part of your life.

Workplace Bullies

In most cases, the purpose of bullying is to hide inadequacy and to reduce fear of being seen as “weak.” The unwelcome behavior of a bully isn’t something that is restricted to the playground. The truth is, Bullies come in all shapes, sizes, ages, genders and races. Understanding how and why bullies bully is key to effective action. Whether you are a victim or you can see bullying going on around you it’s important to be able to identify it.

“Bullying is obsessive and compulsive; the serial bully has to have someone to bully and appears to be unable to survive without a current target.” –bullyonline.org

BullyOnline.org has given the following names to workplace bullies…

Pressure bullying - where the stress of the moment causes behavior to deteriorate; the person becomes short-tempered, irritable and may shout or swear at others.

Corporate bullying - where the employer abuses employees with impunity knowing that the law is weak and jobs are scarce. This type does things like…

•    Introduces "absence management" to deny employees annual or sick leave to which they are genuinely entitled

•    Regularly snoops and spies on employees. For example, by listening in on telephone conversations, using the mystery shopper, contacting customers behind employees backs and asking leading questions, conducting covert video, calling/messaging employee's home to interrogate the employees whilst on sick leave, or threatening employees with interrogation the moment they return from sick leave, etc.

•    Deems any employee suffering from stress as weak and inadequate whilst aggressively ignoring and denying the cause of stress (bad management and bullying)

•    "Encourages" employees to fabricate complaints about their colleagues

Client bullying - where employees are bullied by those they serve. For example: teachers by pupils and their parents, nurses by patients and their relatives, social workers by their clients, and office societies by customers. Often the client is claiming their perceived right in an abusive, derogatory and violent manner.

In environments where bullying is the norm, most people will either become bullies or become targets. What will you do? Stand up against bullying. Recognize the signs and talk to someone in your HR department.

Shortcuts to Inner Peace.

Approximately 10% of Americans -- that’s close to twenty-one million people – suffer from depression. Some accounts claim that one hundred and twenty million people worldwide suffer from this burdensome disease. While treatments range from medication to meditation, talk therapy to exercise – having an assortment of tools in your toolbox is obviously helpful. The following five tools are easy to weave into your day. They are deceptively simple; they help relax the body, calm the mind, and open the heart. When you use them regularly, they will help bring light into the darkness.

Take Five

The instruction for this breathing exercise is to inhale through your nose for the count of five, hold for the count of five, and exhale through your mouth for the count of five. This relaxes your body and stops any spiral of stressful thoughts.

Light a Candle

Simply light a candle and gaze into the flame for several minutes. The symbolism of creating light in darkness is bolstered by the hypnotic, relaxing effect of watching the flame dance. Notice the color, the movement, the sound. When you blow out the flame, notice the stream of smoke curling skyward. This mindfulness practice anchors you to the now.

Big Sky

When you walk outside, remember to look up at the sky. Notice cloud formations, color, movement. Add the thought, the spaciousness above me is mirrored in the spaciousness within me. Remember that you are bigger than any condition or diagnosis. 

Take Me Away

Close your eyes and spend a few moments remembering a beloved beautiful place where you felt completely at peace. If you are having trouble thinking of a place, you can imagine a place of beauty or comfort. Try to summon details: sounds, colours, tastes, smells. Savor each detail and imagine the scene expanding in your body. This 'peace place' experience is available to you in any situation.

Rest in Peace

Before you fall asleep at night, think if three things from your day for which you are grateful. Think of specific experiences and actually relieve these moments from your day, allowing the warm hearted gratitude to soak into your body.

Each of these well-being practices take only a few moments to do and yet their impact is dramatic. Used regularly, they will keep you anchored to the light.

Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW is a psychotherapist in southern New Hampshire and the author of three self-help books including: Shortcuts to Inner Peace: 70 Simple Paths to Everyday Serenity.

Mental illness reaching severe levels in Manitoba

Non-profit organizations say community approach, funding necessary

by Ethan Cabel (News Assignment Editor)

A recent campaign by the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba aims to get people talking about mental illness. 

Instances of mental illness in Manitoba have skyrocketed in recent years, according to experts, and provincial organizations are now calling for community-based approaches to addressing the problem. According to media reports based on freedom of information requests, the number of Manitobans diagnosed with mental illnesses has increased 56 per cent in a 15-year period, up from 111,544 Manitobans in 1995 to 173,496 Manitobans in 2010.

“The bleeding happens on the inside, not on the outside, so awareness of the issue is a constant challenge,” said Tara Brousseau, the executive director of the non-profit Mood Disorders Association (MDA) of Manitoba, a community-based organization helping those with mood disorders out of eight branch locations throughout the province. Part of the awareness issue, according to Brousseau, is that Manitobans have less access to psychological help, in the form of therapy, than Canadians living in other provinces. According to statistics from the Manitoba Psychological Society, there are 17 psychologists per 100,000 Manitobans versus 47 per 100,000 Canadians. The MDA has sought to address this through its mandate, which focuses almost on self help exercises, but even that form of therapy is under-funded.

“On our side, which is the self-help side, our funding has been frozen for the last four years by the provincial government,” said Brousseau, adding that, while five years ago the MDA came in contact with 21,000 people, in 2011 they came in contact with 36,000 people. Meanwhile, the association’s provincial funding has been frozen at $351,000 for four years. That number would have to be doubled or even tripled to match the growing demand for the services that the MDA offers by hiring beyond the 16 part-time staff that keep the organization afloat, she said. Even a recent awareness campaign that appeared on billboards and transit buses throughout the city did not receive any direct provincial funding. The campaign, titled “We’re Crazy Not to Talk About Mental Illness,” was funded through a $20,000 annual fundraising drive and provided to the MDA for the campaign.

Today is Bell Let's Talk Day (February 8th)

Bell Let's Talk Day is about recognizing the fact that talking about mental health is the first step in making a difference in the lives of all Canadians so... let's talk.
Start a conversation. There are many misconceptions and fears about what mental health means in the context of home, work and school. Often it is the elephant in the room that no one wants or knows how to talk about. 

For every text message and long distance call made by Bell and Bell Aliant customers today, Bell will donate another 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health. Last year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day raised $3,303,961.80 in new funding.

Why do we need to start talking about mental health? 

Stress and Depression linked to aging

Research reveals that people that experience recurring episodes of depression or those that are exposed to chronic stress have shorter telomeres in their white blood cells. “A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA sequences at the end of a chromosome, which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration or from fusion with neighboring chromosomes.” Consequently, as we age, telomeres, the outermost part of the chromosome, shorten. 

Moreover, research suggests that oxidative stress and inflammation can accelerate this process. The lengths of telomeres are suggestive of our biological age and have been associated with age-related diseases, unhealthy lifestyle, and longevity. Additionally, new studies now show that the shortening of telomeres is also linked to recurrent depression and exposure to chronic stress. To demonstrate, researchers studied 91 patients with recurrent depression and 451 healthy patients by measuring the telomere length in their white blood cells. 
Results showed that telomeres were shorter among the patients with recurrent depression. Also, by examining the participants' stress regulation using a dexamethasone suppression test, researchers again revealed that cortisol levels, indicative of chronic stress, were also associated with shorter telomeres in both depressed participants and healthy ones.

“The fact that depressed patients as a group have shorter telomere lengths compared to healthy individuals can be largely explained by the fact that more depressed people than healthy people have disturbed cortisol regulation, which underscores that cortisol regulation and stress play a major role in depressive disorders” says Mikael Wikgren, a doctoral candidate in the research group. Accordingly, people could experience age-related complications much earlier in life; therefore properly treating and managing stress and/or depression may significantly impact the quality of life throughout the lifetime.

The myths of mental illness

There are many myths about mental illness. Until people learn the truth, they will continue to deny that mental illness exists at all or to avoid the topic entirely.

How much do you know about mental illness? Here are some of the common myths 

-and truths.

• People with mental illness are violent and dangerous. The truth is that, as a group, mentally ill people are no more violent than any other group. In fact, they are far more likely to be the victims of violence than to be violent themselves.
• People with mental illness are poor and/or less intelligent. Many studies show that most mentally ill people have average or above-average intelligence. Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class or income level.
• Mental illness is caused by a personal weakness.A mental illness is not a character flaw. It is an illness, and it has nothing to do with being weak or lacking will-power. Although people with mental illness can play a big part in their own recovery, they did not choose to become ill, and they are not lazy because they cannot just "snap out of it." 
• Mental illness is a single, rare disorder. Mental illness is not a single disease but a broad classification for many disorders. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and organic brain disorders can cause misery, tears and missed opportunities for thousands of Canadians.

Words can hurt

Words like "crazy," "cuckoo," "psycho," "wacko" and "nutso" are just a few examples of words that keep the stigma of mental illness alive. These words belittle and offend people with mental health problems. Many of us use them without intending any harm. Just as we wouldn't mock someone for having a physical illness like cancer or heart disease, it is cruel to make fun of someone with a mental illness.