Mental health is fundamental to overall health, quality of life and productivity.
Each year on October 10, more than 100 countries on six continents observe World Mental Health Day in order to raise awareness about mental illness and to promote discussion about how mental health stakeholders around the world can mobilize efforts to make mental wellness a reality for people everywhere.
Homewood Health Centre is proud to support World Mental Health Day in our local community as a long-time sponsor of the Mayor’s Initiative for World Mental Health Day, an annual event held at Guelph City Hall. The Mayor’s Initiative aims to raise awareness about mental health and foster positive action among policy-makers, governments, local decision-makers, and all community citizens.
On Thursday, October 8, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie hosts the 16th annual celebration, which will explore the theme of mental health and resiliency. The event features two guest speakers, Debbie Bodkin and Adrienne Crowder, who will discuss the importance of reaching out, developing coping skills, and establishing mental health supports both as individuals and as a community.
Debbie Bodkin, who served as a Sergeant with the Waterloo Regional Police Service for 24 years, as well working with victims of crimes against humanity in Kosovo, Chad and Sudan, will share personal stories about the experiences that shook her world, and how she took control of her mental health.
Adrienne Crowder has a wealth of experience in the wellness and organizational health field and has served as an educator, consultant, counsellor and researcher. She will discuss her current work as a coach and trainer, assisting leadership groups to develop soft skills capabilities to improve mental health initiatives.
This event is open to the public, and there is no charge to attend. The Mayor’s Initiative for World Mental Health Day is proudly supported by Homewood Health Centre, City of Guelph, TorchLight, Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, Family Counselling and Support Services, and also features an artwork from Spark of Brilliance, a community-based mental health initiative that promotes healing and recovery through the expressive arts.
World Mental Health Day is part of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), which runs from October 4 to 10, 2015. MIAW is an education project of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health and brings awareness to mental disorders, including signs and symptoms, support and resources, stigma, hope, recovery, and the impact of mental illness on lives, families, workplaces, and society as a whole.