WELLNESS IS FOCUS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 30, 2015
WELLNESS IS FOCUS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK
Victoria, B.C. – In recognition of national Mental Illness Awareness Week, Island Community Mental Health (ICMH) is bringing inspirational speaker Brent Seal to speak about his experience as a young adult diagnosed with a serious mental illness and his journey to recovery.
“To me, these days it’s about letting people know that mental illness is no longer a life sentence,” says Brent.
His inspirational story: From Mental Illness to Mental Wellness emphasizes the importance of wellness and adventure as key to helping young people dealing with mental illness to lead great lives. Brent will be speaking at the Young Auditorium at Camosun College’s Lansdowne Campus 3100 Foul Bay Rd on Thursday, October 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The event is free and tickets are available through Eventbrite: search Brent Seal.
“Reaching out through public education and awareness activities is a big part of the Young Adult Engagement Strategy we launched in April,” said ICMH Executive Director Kim Duffus. “The message Brent brings speaks to the importance of support from professionals, family and friends in meeting the challenges of mental illness. This is what ICMH and our other community partners are all about.” This event is proudly supported by Camosun College and UVic Student Mental Health Initiative.
Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from October 4-10 and focuses attention on mental disorders: signs and symptoms, how to get help, stigma, hope and recovery, and the impact of mental illness on lives, families, workplaces and society.
“One-in-five Canadians experience a form of mental illness in their lives,” said ICMH Board President Darrion Campbell. “A recent survey of the community indicated that Victorians believe mental illness is the third most important issue affecting the health of the community.” Campbell says that ICMH operates on the principle that each person who experiences mental illness has the capacity to move forward, to learn and to grow.
“I hope Victorians will take the opportunity to join us for this exciting event and that they will do more to learn about the importance that community plays in supporting individuals with mental illness and the many services and resources available,” said Duffus.
To find out more information about this upcoming event and about ICMH and its programs and services visit: www.icmha.ca
ICMH provides psychosocial rehabilitation and housing services to more than 1,000 adults in Greater Victoria each year and has been a core support for those dealing with serious mental illness for 60 years.
For further information contact:
Kim Duffus
Executive Director
Tel: 250 389-1211
kim.duffus@icmha.ca
