(Windsor, ON, November 10, 2020) – Even before the pandemic, mental health and addiction challenges were on the rise. Community health centres, family health teams, NP led clinics and other primary care providers were seeing an increasing number of patients with problems – and since March it has only intensified.
In response, a new Mental Health educational series has been launched as part of the ongoing partnership with the Windsor Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB) and the region’s community governed primary care providers.
Healthy Minds 4 Life is a free, 5-week series open to anyone in the community.
“Our goal is to both react and act to help those in greatest need,” says Kim Willis, Director, Communications and Mental Health Promotion, CMHA-WECB. “And this is a collaboration that can connect both mental and physical health needs. And thanks to generous community partners there is no cost to participate. All you need is a tablet/computer and wifi.”
Funding for Healthy Minds 4 Life was made possible through the Windsor Essex Community Foundation and the Green Shield Canada Six 4 Six program.
“This program is an exciting and timely addition to our public health and community primary care partnership. We are hoping individuals throughout Windsor-Essex will take advantage of this information to support their mental health during these challenging times,” says Nicole Dupuis, Director, Health Promotion, WECHU.
Healthy Minds 4 Life is a series of five modules offered virtually throughout the year. Topics include: Understanding Mental Health and Mental Health Promotion, Building Resiliency, Caregiver Stress, Understanding Anxiety and Understanding Depression.
This series of classes, developed collaboratively by social workers and therapists, will be implemented across the region by participating partners, including:
- Windsor-Family Health Team
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
- CMHA-WECB Health Centre
- Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre
- Harrow Family Health Team
- Leamington Family Health Team
- Amherstburg Family Health Team
- Lakeshore Community Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic
- Essex County Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic
- Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.
The weekly sessions will be facilitated by a social worker from one of the participating organizations. Participants will be provided a workbook with information, activities and tools they will be able to incorporate into their daily lives.
The first series is being offered by Harrow Family Health Team starting November 23, 2-4 p.m. Visit Eventbrite.ca to register. (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/healthy-minds-4-life-tickets-126873978485?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1)
Funding for this project was made possible through the Windsor Essex Community Foundation and Green Shield’s Six 4 Six program.
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For more information contact:
Kim Willis, Director, Communications & Mental Health Promotion
Office: (519) 255-9940 x161
Cell: (226) 787-2245
kwillis@cmha-wecb.on.ca