The Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) is celebrating Mental Illness Awareness Week October 6 -12, 2013.
“Our goal for today's event is to increase awareness in the community about the Mental Health services that we offer at the Timmins and District Hospital” said Jennifer Moore-Bertrand, Mental Health Services Unit Manager, Timmins and District Hospital. “Our multidisciplinary team offers a wide range of programming in our Out-Patient Mental Health department. We offer individual therapy and group programming, as well as specialized services for individuals with an eating disorder or for people who require extra support with our community treatment order program.”
Information is displayed in the main promenade about various illnesses that affect individuals. Another goal is to also reduce stigma related to mental illness and to share information about illnesses with the public.
“We also offer crisis services that can be accessed through our Emergency Department 24/7” said Jennifer Moore-Bertand, Mental Health Services Unit Manager, Timmins and District Hospital. “Our crisis team provides assessment and links individuals to the services that will best meet their needs. Our crisis hotline can be accessed by dialing 1-888-340-3003 or 1-705-264-3003”.
A major initiative of Mental Illness Awareness Week is the Faces of Mental Illness campaign, a national outreach campaign featuring the stories of Canadians living in recovery from mental illness. This year also marks the addition of a new component of MIAW: the Faces of Mental Illness Breakfast. This marquee event takes place in October and brings together Members of Parliament, prominent decision makers, the Faces from the Faces of Mental Illness campaign, and CAMIMH members to express support for current mental health initiatives and engage in a discussion regarding the need for increased access to mental health services for all Canadians.
Mental Illness Awareness week is an annual event geared towards educating the public about the realities of mental illness.
