CMHA Ottawa joins individuals and organizations around the globe in celebrating International Self-Care Day on July 24, which aims to raise public awareness of the importance of self-care to stay healthy and prevent or delay illness. Mental well-being is recognized as a pillar of self-care. Prioritizing self-care can increase resiliency, which can be helpful when […]Continue readingCMHA recognizes International Self-Care Day 2020
If you are experiencing an emergency, please go to the emergency department of your nearest general hospital or call 911. Check out the many resources below. Call 2-1-1 for information on the full range of community, social, government and health services and programs available in Ottawa and how to access those services. The Distress Centre […]Continue readingMental health crisis lines, resources and supports
On June 16, CMHA Ottawa joins organizations across Canada in recognizing Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This annual event aims to normalize conversations about mental health issues and reduce the stigma that often prevents men from seeking help. CMHA recognizes that stigma may make it difficult for men to identify their own mental health and […]Continue readingCMHA recognizes Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day 2020
Guest blog post by Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital and media literacy. In today’s networked world, we don’t just consume information anymore: we’re all broadcasters, too, and everything we share online affects everyone else. Especially during a public health crisis, the ratio of good to bad information can be […]Continue readingIn times of crisis, we need to double-check what we see online – but we need to share good information too
Mental health concerns are among the many challenges Ontarians are currently facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time of public uncertainty, CMHA’s BounceBack program remains an effective option to support Ontarians who may be dealing with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry. BounceBack is a free, […]Continue readingNew BounceBack campaign promotes access to mental health program
(OTTAWA, May 14, 2020) – As more details emerge about the psychological impact of COVID-19, CMHA Ottawa is encouraging anyone who is struggling with mental health and addictions issues at this time to reach out and seek help. The call comes as new provincial data this week showed that far fewer people with a mental […]Continue readingNew data says fewer Ontarians are seeking mental health supports during COVID-19, but services are helping those who use them
Since 1951, the Canadian Mental Health Association has hosted Mental Health Week every year during the first full week of the month of May. Now that the week of May 4–10, 2020, is in the rear-view mirror, I’d venture to say that this year’s edition of Mental Health Week took place under the most unusual […]Continue readingReflections on Mental Health Week 2020: A letter from the Executive Director of CMHA Ottawa
Quarantine without a smartphone, can you imagine it? From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related physical-distancing and self-isolation orders, the Ottawa branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Ottawa) has placed digital connection with its clients and the clients of its partner agencies among its very highest of priorities. But when […]Continue readingA home and a smartphone
As part of Mental Health Week 2020—which runs from May 4 to 10—we at CMHA Ottawa teamed up with our peer Kurtis to talk about how to stay the course of recovery from a mental health challenge amid COVID-19. Content warning: This article contains frank talk about depression. In a sense, “recovery” is a relatively […]Continue readingFinding your purpose again — Mental Health Week 2020
Visit mentalhealthweek.ca for info and tools! For Mental Health Week, the Ottawa branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes social connection to protect mental health in these difficult times’ Ottawa, ON – May 4, 2020 – Most Canadians rely on shortcuts to describe their emotional state—even during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to new data […]Continue readingCanadians are anxious and crave real connection, but say they’re doing “fine”