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Home > Public Education
Public Education
Part of CMHA-NL's mandate is to educate the public on issues related to mental health and mental illness.Over the past few years, we have conducted research and written papers on a variety of mental health issues, which you can access on this page. We also have information on our public education sessions, links to resources produced by CMHA National, and other websites and articles of interest related to mental health and mental illness.
Files below with the 
icon are in PDF format and can be viewed using Adobe Reader.
Click on the following links to jump to each section below.
Some of the following links will take you directly to CMHA National's website, and others are linked to CMHA-NL resources on related topics.
Understanding Mental Illness - This article explores some of the misconceptions surrounding mental illness.
(CMHA-NL Publication)
The Connection Between Violence, Trauma and Mental Illness in Women - (CMHA-NL Publication)
For more information on mental health topics not covered here, please visit the national CMHA website or contact us.
"Building your mental health: one support at a time" Symposium 2010
In recognition of Mental Health Week 2010 (May 3rd - 9th, 2010), on Wednesday, May 5th,
from 9:30 to 12 PM at the Health Sciences Centre Main Auditorium in St. John's, CMHA-NL held a public symposium with many sites from all regions
of the province participating via video- and teleconference.
Mental Health Week 2010 is focused on the importance of supports to our mental health, and their role in dealing with life’s challenges and building resilience. The Symposium was a forum for expert presenters to discuss the various support networks that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need to cultivate in all areas of our lives.
George Skinner, Executive Director, CMHA-NL, presented a CMHA National presentation about building supports for good mental health.
Heidi Edgar, Justice Project Coordinator, CMHA-NL, addressed the supports that the Justice Project is providing to men with mental illnesses who are leaving Her Majesty’s Penitentiary and making transitions to the community.
Lisa Zigler, Project Coordinator of NAVNET (a coordinated systems response for individuals with “complex needs” in St. John’s) discussed gaps and how moving from a fragmented system to a coordinated response will benefit those with “complex needs”, who are often not able to access the support/services they need.
Mark Gruchy, President, CMHA-NL is a lawyer in St. John's who talked about his own personal journey with bipolar disorder and the personal supports that helped him recover. Sources of support in our everyday lives include positive relationships at work, good neighbours, ties to community, and caring relationships.
Karon-Ann Parsons, Provincial Executive Director, CHANNAL, addressed the topic of peer support and the recovery process, and their significance. Paula Evans, a CHANNAL regional coordinator, discussed her work and experience with self-help supports, and their unique role in building good mental health.
Mental Health and the Economy Symposium 2009
In recognition of Mental Health Week 2009 (May 4th - 10th, 2009), CMHA-NL held a Symposium on May 4th from 2 to 5 PM in the Health Sciences Centre Main Auditorium in St. John's, with many sites from all regions of the province participating via teleconference. The Symposium was hosted by Geoff Chaulk, Executive Director of CMHA-NL, and Colleen Simms, Regional Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Eastern Health.
The theme for this year's Mental Health Week was mental health and the economy, and the main message was "Now more than ever...invest in yourself!" There were four presentations which focused on our province's economy and how it affects us, and how Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should continue to invest in their mental health during these stressful economic times. The presenters were as follows:
- Geoff Chaulk, Executive Director, CMHA-NL, showed the results from a nation-wide survey, Health is Cool 2009 (conducted by CMHA National and Desjardins Financial Security), on the effects of the economy on people's mental health. Click the image below to see the slides from the presentation.
- Dr. Wade Locke, Professor of Economics, Memorial University, talked about how our economy is really doing and helped us sort through the confusing messages that are often presented in the media. Click here to read "Don't Worry, Be Happy Or Should We: An Assessment of the Current Economic Crisis from the Perspective of Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Al Antle, Executive Director of Credit & Debt Solutions, talked about making investing in relationships a priority in tough economic times, as relationships are usually the first thing to suffer as people cut back on their spending. (A link to the text of Mr. Antle's presentation will be posted here when it is available – please check back.)
- Dr. Joyce Nicholls-Goudsmid, a clinical psychologist at Terrace Clinic, Eastern Health, talked about living in the present moment and practicing mindfulness daily to deal with stress before it gets out of hand. Click here to read "Keeping an Open Mind: Coping in Difficult Times."
Special thanks to the co-hosts and presenters who shared their expert insights, gave us hope for the future and provided valuable tips for improving our mental health.
Adults and Depression Symposium - October 7, 2008
In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2008 (October 5 - 11, 2008), CMHA-NL, in partnership with CHANNAL, Department of Health and Community Services, Discipline of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine, Eastern Health, and Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, held a symposium on Tuesday, October 7 on Adults and Depression. For more details and a list of presenters, see the flyer.
Mental Health Symposium - October 1, 2007
In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2007, CMHA-NL, Eastern Health and the Discipline of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University held a symposium on October 1, 2007 featuring the following discussions:
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. - Eating Disorders In Newfoundland and Labrador
Presenters: Olga Heath, Psychologist, Eastern Health
Kelly Maloney, Dietician, Eastern Health
Nancy White, Social Worker, Eastern Health
Moderator: Geoff Chaulk, Executive Director, CMHA-NL Division
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. - Workplace Mental Health Program, CMHA-NL Division
Presenter: Roger Baggs, Workplace Mental Health Coordinator, CMHA-NL
Moderator: Sharon Barnes, Mental Health Consultant, Department of Health and Community Services
3:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Collaborative Care and Outreach: The Early Psychosis Model, Discipline of Psychiatry, Memorial University
Presenters: Kellie LeDrew, Psychiatrist
Ted Callanan, Psychiatrist
Moderator: Colleen Simms, Regional Director, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Eastern Health
Click on the image above to watch CMHA-NL's educational video about seniors and depression in long term care. (Length: 18 minutes).
For more information, visit Aging and Mental Health.
Resources for Seniors and their Families: The Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH) has a great series of user-friendly educational guides for seniors and their families. All of the booklets are in PDF format and are free of charge to download. Click here to visit the CCSMH website and read the booklets.
Reports
For some quick tips for good mental health in the workplace, see The ABCs of Workplace Mental Health
Visit our Workplace Mental Health page for a list of great online resources.
For more information on mental health promotion, visit Strengthening Mental Health Promotion
For more information on recovery, visit Empowerment and Recovery in Mental Health
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the Mental Health Crisis Line at 737-4668, toll free 1-888-737-4668.
For more information on suicide, please visit CMHA National's web page on suicide. They also offer links to information on the following topics, which you can click below:
More websites:
This page last updated May 6, 2010.