No Images? Click here Annual Memorial Forest VigilThe Memorial Forest was created at the Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site in 2009 to help reduce stigma, promote a greater understanding, and seek compassion from the community around mental illness. This year, Niagara Region Mental Health will host its annual Memorial Forest Vigil on Oct. 10, 2019 during Mental Illness Awareness Week as a way to remember those who have passed on after a courageous battle with mental illness. Suicide prevention is everyone's responsibilityWorld Suicide Prevention Day was on September 10. In Niagara someone dies by suicide every nine days. An average of 10 people die by suicide each day in Canada. To learn about practical applications for preventing suicide in your community and improving collaboration with primary care, community care services and hospital transitions, consider attending the Community Strategies to Support the Zero Suicide Initiative Conference. Cultivating gratitudeStudies have shown that those who practice gratitude are healthier, happier, more helpful to others, and even more likely to reach their goals. But that doesn't mean that the darker sides of our lives aren't a source of blessing as well. As many of us consider September to be the start of the new year, take some time to cultivate gratitude in your life, both today and beyond. Newcomer mental healthWhen refugees in Canada encounter some level of distress, they are less likely to access mental health services because of the low level of trust, poor access to services, language and cultural barriers, fear of stigma, missed time at work, and language difficulty with health practitioners. Let's come together and help all people to get the help that they need. Technology addictions on the riseTechnology addictions are on the rise for many Canadians. We are spending record amounts of time on our cell phones and online with gaming, gambling, and internet use. Process addictions can cause depression, anxiety and agitation as well as headaches, backaches and insomnia. Community Addiction Services of Niagara (CASON) offers many programs that can help. New mental health walk-in clinicsPathstone Mental Health walk-in clinics have been popping up across Niagara over the summer. Children and youth up to age 18, and their families are able to meet one-on-one with a Pathstone therapist on a first come, first serve basis. There is no cost, and no appointment or health card is needed. Diet and mental healthIn the past decade, studies from around the world have consistently shown that diet is important to mental health. Researchers devoted to studying this link report that mental health disorders, especially depression, account for the greatest burden of disability worldwide. Several studies have shown that diets high in fried foods, sweetened foods and processed meats may lead to an increased risk of depression, low mood, and anxiety in children and teens. It also affects parts of the brain that are critical to learning and memory. Community drug use surveyThe Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara (OPENN) is launching their community survey on drug use. This survey will run until November 30. It is one component of many being incorporated into the development of a prevention drug strategy for Niagara. Please consider sharing this information to Niagara residents 16 years and older to gather their thoughts on drug use in their community. This includes how if affects the community, what might work to prevent drug use and personal experience. |