Your Mental Health Matters –
Celebrating Mental Health Week;
May 6-12, 2013

This year is recognized as the Canadian Mental Health Association’s 62^nd Annual Mental Health Week.  Mental health is an essential part of your overall health and more than just the absence of disease or illness.  It is a state of well-being and involves finding a balance in all areas of your life.  You have the capability to reach your full potential, enjoy life and manage the challenges of everyday.  According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, “In any given year, one in five people in Canada experiences a mental health problem or illness, with a cost to the economy of well in excess of $50 billion” 

Here are some ideas from the Canadian Mental Health Association and Prairie Mountain Health to improve your mental health.    

Get Moving - Exercise is good medicine for building and maintaining mental fitness.  It can improve your self-esteem, body image and change the way you view yourself. 

Build a Healthy Self-Esteem - See your abilities and weaknesses together, accept them and do the best with what you have.  Let your strengths shine and build on your weak points to mature and grow.

Get Involved - Being involved in things that really matter to us provides us with a great feeling of purpose and satisfaction.  You can make a difference no matter how big or small your efforts. 

Enjoy Yourself - Taking the time for a favourite hobby or pastime is a great way of connecting with and nurturing your creative self. 

Eat Right - The foods we put in our bodies directly affects the hormones and neurotransmitters that control our sleep, mood and behaviour.  Eat a balanced diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains.  It’s good for your mind and your body.    

Create Positive Relationships – Build relationships with others by giving and accepting support.  Make time for family and friends.  Another way to stay connected with loved ones is through phone calls, texts and emails. 

Take Control of Stress – Find a healthy relaxation method that energizes you personally: meditation, exercise, visualization and other relaxation methods are all helpful techniques for reducing the negative impact of stress. 

Talk About It – Sharing your troubles with a friend may help you to put things in perspective and to feel that you’re not alone.  You may also learn some other ways to manage stress effectively. 

Have a Spirituality to Call Your Own – Learn to be at peace with yourself.  Get to know what makes you really happy, what you are passionate about.  Learn to balance what you are able to change about yourself with what you cannot change.   

Create a Meaningful Budget – Write out a budget for yourself.  Is it realistic? Have you planned what to do with the money left over for your wants? Which wants are most important to you?

Mental Health Week Calendar of Events

Sunday May 5, 2013 – “Let’s talk about Mental Health” Coffee House.  Stop by the 7^th Street Health Access Centre to enjoy a cup of coffee, a healthy snack, and a discussion about Mental Health on Sunday, May 5^th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

May 6 – 10, 2013 – Mental Health Matters.  Listen to local media for mental health tips, resources, facts and services.  Visit a Tip Booth to receive your Mental Health Matters Card with a list of Healthy Tips and current Westman resources.  Tip booths located at the Brandon Regional Health Centre Atrium (by Tim Horton’s) on Wednesday May 8^th and Thursday May 9^th and at the Town Centre (across from the General Store) Friday May 10^th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.  

Tuesday May 7, 2013 – Power to Inspire Award.  This award recognizes those who have made a personal commitment to healthy living and inspired others to make positive changes in their lives.  In partnership with Healthy Brandon the winners will be announced during Mental Health Week. 

May 8 – 10, 2013 – Mental Health Tip Booths.  Visit a Tip Booth to Submit your personal Mental Health Tips for a chance to win a ‘Wellness’ Basket and to receive your Mental Health Matters Card with a list of Healthy Tips and current Westman resources.  Tip booths located at the Brandon Regional Health Centre Atrium (by Tim Horton’s) on Wednesday May 8^th and Thursday May 9^th and at the Town Centre (across from the General Store) Friday May 10^th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. 

Thursday May 9, 2013 - ADAM Video Series Launch.  The Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba is a self-help organization committed to helping individuals who struggle with anxiety disorders.  They are releasing their new video series on May 9^th.  For more information please contact 204-725-8550 or adambdn@mts.net

For more information on mental health resources in your community please contact Prairie Mountain Health, Mental Health Promotion at 204-578-2450 or the Canadian Mental Health Association at www.cmha.ca.

Filed under: Mental Health

Posted by Regional Health Authority @ 11:11 | | PermaLink

Craving Change?

Change your thinking – Change your eating!

Craving Change™ is a relatively new program being offered by the Healthy Living Team staff in the Prairie Mountain Health Region.

Many individuals who struggle with their eating are looking for answers and want to better understand why they eat the way they do.  As one Craving Change™ course participant commented, “I know what to eat, but I just can’t seem to do it!”

Craving Change™ is a unique four class program that is designed to address some of these personal struggles and provide participants with information that will increase their awareness about their own eating triggers and provide strategies to better manage their eating behaviour.

Sherrill-Lee Hyra, one of the program facilitators in the region just completed a Craving Change™ class series in the town of  Neepawa this past winter.  She noted that the response from those in attendance was positive. 

“Running Craving Change™ classes in our communities have allowed participants an opportunity to explore the “why of eating” in a comfortable environment. With the support of others, participants had time to reflect on new information, share what struggles they encounter and try out some of the practical strategies for maintaining healthy eating habits,” commented Hyra.

It is important to note that Craving Change™ is not a weight loss program even though that could be a motivation for attending. “As a facilitator for the program, that can be a challenge.  Many people who have questions about maintaining a healthy weight are seeking information about what to eat and when.  In the Craving Change™ program we don’t even address food consumption throughout the entire four class format, but rather,  the focus is on learning about all factors that play a part in our food decisions and how to better manage those ” commented Hyra.  “There are many light bulb moments for people as we discuss this information!” 

Hyra also notes that Craving Change ™ is not for those that have a diagnosed eating disorder.  But, if people have ever had questions about their eating behaviour, struggled to maintain healthy eating habits, or if they eat for comfort or in response to their emotions, Craving Change™ could definitely be a program of interest. 

“This program can help address these underlying issues for why we eat the way we do and provide tools and confidence to improve a person’s relationship with food,” said Hyra.

To register for Spring programs or to learn more about Craving Change ™ in the Prairie Mountain Health region please call the Healthy Living Team Toll Free Line: 1 -877 509 7852

Spring Craving Change™ programs are scheduled for :

Posted by Regional Health Authority @ 11:12 | | PermaLink

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Craving Change?

Change your thinking – Change your eating!

Craving Change™ is a relatively new program being offered by the Healthy Living Team staff in the Prairie Mountain Health Region.

Many individuals who struggle with their eating are looking for answers and want to better understand why they eat the way they do.  As one Craving Change™ course participant commented, “I know what to eat, but I just can’t seem to do it!”

Craving Change™ is a unique four class program that is designed to address some of these personal struggles and provide participants with information that will increase their awareness about their own eating triggers and provide strategies to better manage their eating behaviour.

Sherrill-Lee Hyra, one of the program facilitators in the region just completed a Craving Change™ class series in the town of  Neepawa this past winter.  She noted that the response from those in attendance was positive. 

“Running Craving Change™ classes in our communities have allowed participants an opportunity to explore the “why of eating” in a comfortable environment. With the support of others, participants had time to reflect on new information, share what struggles they encounter and try out some of the practical strategies for maintaining healthy eating habits,” commented Hyra.

It is important to note that Craving Change™ is not a weight loss program even though that could be a motivation for attending. “As a facilitator for the program, that can be a challenge.  Many people who have questions about maintaining a healthy weight are seeking information about what to eat and when.  In the Craving Change™ program we don’t even address food consumption throughout the entire four class format, but rather,  the focus is on learning about all factors that play a part in our food decisions and how to better manage those ” commented Hyra.  “There are many light bulb moments for people as we discuss this information!” 

Hyra also notes that Craving Change ™ is not for those that have a diagnosed eating disorder.  But, if people have ever had questions about their eating behaviour, struggled to maintain healthy eating habits, or if they eat for comfort or in response to their emotions, Craving Change™ could definitely be a program of interest. 

“This program can help address these underlying issues for why we eat the way we do and provide tools and confidence to improve a person’s relationship with food,” said Hyra.

To register for Spring programs or to learn more about Craving Change ™ in the Prairie Mountain Health region please call the Healthy Living Team Toll Free Line: 1 -877 509 7852

Spring Craving Change™ programs are scheduled for :

Posted by Regional Health Authority @ 13:01 | | PermaLink

Healthy Brandon in Motion

Healthy Brandon in motion is planning a Physical Activity Expo in September 2013. 

 We are currently looking for physical activity organizations/groups/clubs who would like to be included in this event. 

This event will target all ages, groups and levels of ability.  Interpreter services will be provided on day of event. 

Please contact Sport Manitoba office for more details at
(204) 726-6072 or westman@sportmanitoba.ca.

Posted by Regional Health Authority @ 16:35 | | PermaLink

Craving Change?

Change your thinking – Change your eating!

Craving Change™ is a relatively new program being offered by the Healthy Living Team staff in the Prairie Mountain Health Region.

Many individuals who struggle with their eating are looking for answers and want to better understand why they eat the way they do.  As one Craving Change course participant commented, “I know what to eat, but I just can’t seem to do it!”

Craving Change™ is a unique four class program that is designed to address some of these personal struggles and provide participants with information that will increase their awareness about their own eating triggers and provide strategies to better manage their eating behaviour.

Sherrill-Lee Hyra, one of the program facilitators in the region just completed a Craving Change class series in the town of Minnedosa this past fall.  Response from those in attendance was positive says Hyra, “Running Craving Change classes in our communities have allowed participants an opportunity to explore the “why of eating” in a comfortable environment. With the support of others, participants had time to reflect on new information, share what struggles they encounter and try out some of the practical strategies for maintaining healthy eating habits.”

It is important to note that Craving Change is not a weight loss program even though that could be a motivation for attending.

 “As a facilitator for the program, that can be a challenge.  Many people who have questions about maintaining a healthy weight are seeking information about what to eat and when,” says Hyra. She adds that “In the Craving Change program we don’t even address food consumption throughout the entire four class format, but rather the focus is on learning about all factors that play a part in our food decisions and how to better manage those.”

Hyra also notes that Craving Change is not for those that have a diagnosed eating disorder.  But, if people have ever had questions about their eating behaviour, struggled to maintain healthy eating habits, or if they eat for comfort or in response to their emotions, Craving Change could definitely be a program of interest. 

“This program can help address these underlying issues for why we eat the way we do and provide tools and confidence to improve a person’s relationship with food,” said Hyra.

To register for winter programs or to learn more about Craving Change ™ in the Prairie Mountain Health region please call the Healthy Living Team Toll Free Line: 1 -877 509 7852.

Winter Craving Change Programs are scheduled for: