After five years of extensive consultation, the Mental Health Commission of Canada presents a first for the country
Changing Directions, Changing Lives is the first mental health strategy for Canada. Its purpose is to help improve mental health and well-being for all people living in Canada and to create a mental health system that can truly meet the needs of people of all ages living with mental health problems and illnesses and their families. It was released on May 8, 2012. (more…)
Social media, in the form of Facebook, Twitter, cell phones, and texting, etc. are sweeping through the world, much like a tsunami. Thrashing about in this churning sea, many of us struggle to find our bearings. Are we being herded around by social media, or are we in command of these new tools? What does this mean for vulnerable people: are they being left behind, swept away into uncharted depths, or riding the wave?
Sherry Turkle, a professor at M.I.T., has described a radical change in the nature of social relationships, brought on by social media. She describes the change as a slide from full-bodied conversation to electronic connection. (more…)
Program utilizing a series of facilitated classes was created by psychiatrist frustrated by the limited time he had for patients
A course called Living Life To The Full was created by Glasgow psychiatrist Dr. Chris Williams, when he wanted to maximize the effectiveness of the limited time he had to spend with patients. The course is based on cognitive behavioural principles, and is designed for people who want to maximize their ability to deal with life’s challenges. The Canadian Mental Health Association’s British Columbia Division holds the exclusive license to present Living Life to the Full in Canada. The program presents cognitive behavioural techniques in an adult learning model, delivered by trained facilitators. (more…)
Shyness, anxiety, and worry in Kindergarten-aged children can be indicators for potential anxiety disorders
A University of British Columbia research team has developed a simple two-question test to screen Kindergarten-aged children for future anxiety disorders—the most commonly reported mental health concern among children. The screening questions, which asked parents about shyness, fear, and anxiety in their children, had an overall accuracy of over 80% in diagnosing anxiety disorders in young children. (more…)
A form of psychotherapy, Jungian analysis is an interpersonal process of coming to terms with the unconscious
Carl Gustav Jung was a psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology. He is considered the first modern psychiatrist to view the human psyche as “by nature religious” and to make it the focus of exploration. Jung emphasized the individuation of a person. The process might be described as being all that we can be by uncovering the hidden parts of our personality through dreams, active imagination and self-observation. (more…)
Helani Davison is sharing her compelling autobiographical story of riches to rags—and the struggle to come back
Saltspring Island artist and performer Helani Davison has created an autobiographical performance—including narrative, poetry and anecdotes—called Daughter of Chaos. The performance draws on her personal experiences with mental illnesses, addictions and poverty. Helani told the Victoria Times Colonist that she doesn’t think that mental illness and addiction should be anonymous. Her belief is that there would be much more healing if society could speak openly about it. (more…)
