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

Every child has the right to play, safe

Childhood bullying is common, we've all dealt with it. It seems like it is something that is more talked about now than ever before. Bully isn't just physical, it can be as simple as name calling and teasing.

This type of behaviour is likely to happen when children are not sitting in class with the teacher, they risk getting caught. Instead, bullying starts in the playground during recess. Recess is the time that children play, in a designated area, with very little supervision. It is highly unlikely that a child will get bullied close to an adult, therefore it goes unnoticed and unaddressed.

Bully will always be bullies, sometimes into adulthood. The problem will never go away unless it is addressed at a young age.

So what does playground staff need to do to control the environment and ensure that all kids are safe? Increasing supervision, provide training for such situations, and understand the procedures of conflict resolution techniques, just to name a few.

International Play Association Canada or IPA, offers guidelines for professionals working with and for children. They can provide education and training in areas such as bullying.

Bullying will never truly go away, the next generation of children will be bullied but instead of turning away from the situation, it is best that we educated the professionals caring for and teaching our children every day.

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. 

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