No Images? Click here Avoid the holiday blues this festive seasonThe holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, celebration and for spending time with those we love. However, the festivities come with high expectations of perfection that many of us struggle to live up to. Many people experience feelings of isolation, financial strain or increased family conflict that can make this a very stressful time of year. And it’s even harder for those of us with poor mental health. Read our 15 tips here. b4stage4 Conference: It's a wrapAt the end of November, CMHA BC held its b4stage4 Conference in Victoria. What started with a trip to Washington DC, a single conversation and an ingenious idea blossomed into an incredible three-day conference filled with hope, engagement and a commitment to action. We were joined by healthcare workers, elected officials, community representatives and people with first hand lived experience and those who have family members who have been impacted by mental health problems or addictions challenges. Read more about the conference and show your support at b4stage4.ca. Gary Thandi receives The Dr. Nancy Hall Policy Leadership Award CMHA BC presented The Dr. Nancy Hall Public Policy Leadership Award to Gary Thandi from Moving Forward Family Services in Surrey at last month's b4stage4 Conference. The Award honours the spirit of the late Dr. Nancy Hall who served as advisor and consultant to CMHA BC for more than 15 years and was also the BC government’s Mental Health Advocate from 1998–2001. Find out more. Working towards a mentally healthy workplace? We want to celebrate you!The C.M. Hincks Workplace Award honours workplaces for exemplary processes, tools and programs that foster positive mental health for employees. Workplaces demonstrating a commitment to maintaining employees’ mental health are being encouraged to apply here by January 9, 2017. The award will be presented at our annual national Bottom Line Conference in Vancouver February 21-22, 2017. Blue Wave is seeking applications for its youth panelAre you aged 14-25 and interested in participating in a panel on Saturday, January 14? Blue Wave is seeking a team of young people to tell us what they think about our Living Life to the Full for Youth course and its activities. We want to know how to make it a more fun, interactive and safe space for youth. Learn more and apply. Pathways Clubhouse makes the top 10 charities in CanadaPathways Clubhouse in Richmond, BC has been awarded by Charity Intelligence Canada as a top 10 Canadian Charity, and selected as being one of the 2016 Canadian Charity Impact Fund’s recipients. Pathways Clubhouse helps members recover from mental illness and rebuild their lives through a supportive environment that focuses on each person’s strengths and talents, rather than illness. Read more here. Molly Harrington is awarded the 2016 BCANDS Indigenous Partnership AwardBCANDS, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary last month, has presented Molly Harrington with the 2016 BCANDS Indigenous Partnership Award. The award was established by the BCANDS Board of Directors to recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated their commitment in creating positive change within the Indigenous disability sector through their work and their actions. Learn more here. New MDABC well being meet-up groupThe Mood Disorders Association of BC has announced a new free social group for people in Greater Vancouver who live with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and/or other mood-related concerns who are looking for ways to feel happy and well again. The meet-up is available to anyone who wants to improve their mood. Find out more details. YMCA and MDABC launch JumpstepThe YMCA and the Mood Disorders Association of BC have joined forces to offer Jumpstep, a physical activity program for adults with depression and anxiety. The program, which takes place at the Robert Lee YMCA in Vancouver, will teach healthy coping strategies using an evidence based approach of physical activity and Group Medical Visits to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. Get more information on how to apply. ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) - January 28-29 As part of Community Gatekeeper Training Project, CMHA Vancouver-Fraser is offering a two-day ASIST session to community members. This two-day interactive workshop in suicide intervention and safety planning is open to all adults. Register now. Canadian Conference on Promoting Healthy Relationships for Youth - February 15-17 This conference in London, Ontario will bring together researchers, policy makers and practitioners working with children and adolescents to prevent and address relationship violence and mental health challenges. For more information. Bottom Line 2017 Conference - February 21-22 CMHA's annual National Bottom Line Conference will once again bring together business leaders, union representatives, policy-makers, researchers, and workers to improve mental health in Canadian workplaces.The theme of this year’s Bottom Line Conference is “Transforming Workplace Culture: Agents and Allies,” and seeks to connect delegates to agents and allies who continue to innovate in the research, technology, law and policy fields. The early bird rate ends January 13. Register now. Pinwheel Education Series: PTSD & Recovery - January 24 The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre will be hosting this education session on PTSD and recovery which is open to all children, youth and their families who reside in BC. Learn more. CMHA BC Website VolunteerThis 3-hour per week volunteer position is ideal for someone seeking experience with maintaining websites. The volunteer will help with quality assurance for the HeretoHelp website, and keeping the website up to date. Learn how to apply. CMHA BC Information and Referral VolunteerHelp connect people to the help and resources they need as an information and referral volunteer. This 4-hour per week volunteer position is ideal for part-time or retired mental health professionals or educators, or former distress line workers. Volunteers answer mental health inquiries from the public by phone and email. Learn how to apply. Board Members - CMHA KamloopsCMHA Kamloops is accepting applications for new directors of the board and is particularly in need of people with expertise in human resources, fundraising and aboriginal mental-health services. For more information. Volunteer Sewing Instructor - CMHA KamloopsCMHA Kamloops is seeking a volunteer to support new and existing members of the CMHA quilting program. He or she should possess strong communication, facilitation and sewing skills, be able to work effectively with a diverse population and be at least 19 years of age. For more info and how to apply. Client and Family Advisory Committee Member - CMHA KamloopsThe client and family advisory committee member will represent the views of families and clients in the Kamloops and Merritt communities on the following: quality and appropriateness of the services offered, opportunities for service improvements, education partnering opportunities to decrease the stigma and improve quality of life. The term is a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years. For information on the position and how to apply. With your help, we can make a difference. Your donation provides hope and help to those affected by mental illness. MIND MATTERS is completely free and your e-mail address is not shared with any third party. If you would like to know more about our efforts to ensure your privacy is maintained, please contact us. Mind Matters wouldn't be possible without support from donors like you. If your BC agency has news or events you would like to promote in Mind Matters, please e-mail a short paragraph to mindmatters@cmha.bc.ca. If you no longer wish to receive Mind Matters, you may unsubscribe. DISCLAIMER
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