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CMHA Saskatoon Branch - Saskatoon Branch

Saskatoon Branch

Working from Home and Figuring it Out

Hello from the home office of CMHA Executive Director: Faith Bodnar!

During our staff conference call yesterday – we felt that we wanted to step up our social media game and reach out to you in the ways we can right now.

Over the next while, we’re going to be featuring videos from each of our staff (some of us are a bit camera shy) on topics that are close to our hearts right now.

Faith is talking about working from home, and notice that she’s not giving you tips on productivity, but rather how to practice grace and love with ourselves and those we find ourselves in a close space with.

Let us know if this hits home for you!

Depression Support Group COVID-19 Update

Depression Support Group Update

Due to the threat of the COVID-19 virus, we have made alternate arrangements for our Wednesday night meetings.  We are committed to helping everyone stay as connected as possible through this difficult time.

For more info please call Marilyn at 306-270-9181 or e-mail mle2003_2@yahoo.com.

Details are also posted on our ad on kijiji – Search “Saskatoon Depression Support Group”

We apologize for the inconvenience – but our primary concern is the safety of all!

We’re still here for you Saskatoon

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CMHA is now offering presentations virtually to meet the demand of our community during this time. For more details on booking a virtual presentation please contact Reanna Boschee:

rboschee@cmhasaskatoon.ca
306-384-9333 (ext. 223)

During this time, CMHA Saskatoon has made the decision to close our physical doors to the public, while still providing virtual and over the phone services to our clients and the community. We are aware that not all services in Saskatoon have this option, and are grateful that we are able to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The safety of everyone is our priority.

This time of uncertainty has undoubtedly caused an increase in anxiety in many of us, and we want to reassure you that we are still available to be reached over phone (306-384-9333) over email (info@cmhasaskatoon.ca), or even via Facebook messenger. We will continue to provide support and resources to our community and clients.

We have suspended all group events, training, and gatherings moving forward. As the situation progresses, please look for updates on our website, Facebook and Instagram pages. We will be releasing content on focusing on your well-being during this time.

Please refer to the resources below for more information on COVID-19.

Know the Facts

Sask Health Authority COVID-19

Protect Yourself and Others

Be Prepared

Latest COVID-19 Update

Workplace Excellence Awards

Workplace Excellence Awards Banner 2

CMHA Saskatoon Celebrates Mental Health Week May 4-10 and Honours Employers that put Workplace Mental Health Front Row and Center

After almost 8 months of planning, CMHA Saskatoon made the difficult decision to cancel our inaugural Mayor’s Luncheon for Workplace Excellence Awards on March 24, 2020. The venue was booked, tickets were sold, awards were ordered, and special guests were invited. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and plans had to change.

“There was no question we needed to cancel our event, but it didn’t mean we had to cancel the awards. This good news story needed to be told, especially now. Not only do the awards exemplify best practice in workplace mental health, they also speak to the capacity of employers to care deeply about their staff and contribute to the health of our community.” says Faith Bodnar, CMHA Saskatoon Executive Director.

Earlier this year, CMHA Saskatoon called for nominations for employers that demonstrate excellence in workplace mental health. We wanted to hear about innovation and commitment in creating and sustaining positive mental health in owner operated, small, medium and large businesses, non-profits, and government.

“We also want to recognize an employer that stands apart, not only in extraordinary workplace mental health but one that gives back to our city, helping make Saskatoon a healthier place for us all to live, work and play.” Joyce Meyers, CMHA Saskatoon Board Member.


(Video Message from Faith Bodnar, CMHA Saskatoon Executive Director)


(Video Message from His Worship, Mayor Charlie Clark)

EXTRAORDINARY AWARD FOR WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE

· Cameco – exemplifies an extraordinary, long term commitment and contribution as an employer and community leader. Cameco values and prioritizes workplace mental health and as a community leader Cameco works hard break down barriers, create awareness, build inclusion and reduce the stigma about mental health. Cameco’s work in creating resilient employees and vibrant communities reinforces the fact that work and community life are inter woven.

AWARDS FOR WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE

Small & Medium Non Profit

· Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – ensures that the values of empathy, compassion and respect are part of the entire agency and all that it does. Staff experience a judgement free workplace that supports growth and development. Volunteers

from all backgrounds are integral in bringing the mission to life.

· Crocus Cooperative – a member guided agency where a small staff of 6 work closely to develop meaningful and responsive programs and services for some of Saskatoon’s most vulnerable citizens. Crocus creates welcome and a safe space for all to share a meal, work, learn and grow. http://www.crocuscooperative.org/

· Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Society – celebrating 40 years serving Saskatoon, employees are supported to be their best individually and as a collective as they support people during crisis. This agency prioritizes employee mental wellness, skill development and team building.

· Boys and Girls Clubs of Saskatoon – continuous learning, leadership development, strength- based approaches, celebrating successes and building resilient teams are central to this agency. Serving thousands of participants while providing a diverse range of programs, Boys and Girls Club of Saskatoon helps strengthen families.

· Tykes and Tots Early Learning Centre – mental health and wellness are core to their children programs and their staff. Creating a health sense of community within the agency means everyone thrives.

Large Non-Profit

· Gabriel Dumont Institute – prioritizes finding the right fit for an employee skills and capacities and the work to be done. As well, it’s important that each employee understand change management in this dynamic institution and how their work contributes to the larger organization.

Government

· McKerracher Centre – focusing on staff and client wellbeing and offering a variety of programs and supports for those with mental illness and substance use issues and their loved ones. Staff work hard to create a welcoming environment for all, celebrating the talents and skills of staff and clients.

FACTS – Why Workplace Mental Health is Critical

· Mental illness affects 20% of the population directly and 100% indirectly – we are all affected.

· Mental health stigma prevents 2/3’s of people from seeking help.

· By age 40, 50% of the population will have had or have a illness

· Annual economic cost of mental illness in Canada is $51 billion, not including the cost of absenteeism from work due to mental illness..

· Mental Health Services are some of the most underfunded in our healthcare system.

· Depression is predicted to be the leading cause if disease by this year (WHO)

· 500,000 people do not attend work every week due to mental illness.

· In the last 4 years, the Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board received 719 mental health claims. Since 2018 that is an increase of 2 ½ times.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: FAITH BODNAR AT 306-220-5201

The Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon Branch was established in 1948. We have grown and changed over the past 70 years, providing community based, mental health services and programs. We are members of the provincial and national CMHA federation. Our vison is “mental health for all”.

To view the certificates for each winner please click here.

 

 

 

 

 

Eating Disorder Support Group – APPLY NOW!

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CMHA Saskatoon and BridgePoint Center for Eating Disorders are partnering together to bring a support group to the community. This will be a closed group, available to 12 participants, across a 6 week period. You do not need to have a diagnosis of an Eating Disorder to participate in the group, only that there is significant disruption in your life caused by a troubled relationship with food and/or body.

If you are interested in the group, please fill out the intake form by hitting the download button below, and send it back to CMHA Saskatoon by mail or e-mail:

CMHA Saskatoon
1301 Avenue P North
Saskatoon, SK  S7L 2X1

-OR-

info@cmhasaskatoon.ca

Download Intake FormED Support Group Intake Form

CMHA Heart Day Giveaway

To celebrate all of the love we’ve received from our community, we’re throwing it back out to you! From now until February 14th, you can enter to a win a self-care basket full of amazing products from Shopper’s Drug Mart. Simply fill in the form below to enter, and the winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

Run for Women

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We Walk and Run So Others
Can Take the Next Step

The Run for Women, brought to you by the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart programis a 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run and Little Steps 1K taking place in 18 cities across Canada, including Saskatoon!

Living with mental health challenges is hard but we can come together to make a difference. Every dollar raised supports mothers, daughters, and friends through the funding of programs that allow women to take that next step to recovery.

And until February 1st, you can sign up and save $5 towards your registration fees.

Here’s to supporting each other!

 

Beating the Winter Blues

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The temperature today with the windchill reads -33 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow, it’s going to feel like -45. Eventually, things are supposed to return to ‘seasonal’ temperatures, but until then we’ve got some cold weather tips for you!

Disclaimer: The winter blues are not the same as seasonal affective disorder or depression. None of the tips here should, or can replace appropriate professional support.

The point of this article isn’t to convert you to a winter loving, cold weather enthusiast. But we’re hoping there are some options out there that don’t leave you marathoning Netflix all day and all night. Okay, maybe just a few nights, because Netflix has gotten us through some dark times.

Tip #1: Chase after that sun!

One of the biggest reasons we feel so lethargic and have low energy levels in the winter is because we’re not being exposed to enough sun to formulate vitamin D in our body. Some ways to combat this: open the curtains and position yourself in a well lit room. If you live in a basement suite, or your house doesn’t have a lot of sunlight coming in, make a plan to visit a cafe, store, or restaurant every week where you can grab some of those rays.

Other ways to stimulate vitamin D production: taking vitamin D supplements, and investing in a sunlamp (like this one we found on Amazon), or a wake up light alarm clock, which simulates the sun filling your room, instead of waking up to a dark space.

Tip #2: Exercise

Yeah, we said it. Exercise is good for your mental health in every single way. But it doesn’t have to be an intense gym session to get those endorphins flowing. Consider starting your morning with a dynamic stretch session, or a yoga video you can find on YouTube. Sneaking movement into your day doesn’t have to be tedious, just a few minutes can do wonders!

Tip #3: Nutrition

What do we do when the weather outside is frightful and the Netflix is delightful? We order in. We make casseroles. We reach for the chips, and we settle in for the night. Let’s face it, in Saskatchewan during the winter, we’re not just eating to stay alive, we’re eating to cope. Winter is hard, and delicious food makes it better! We’re not saying that you can’t enjoy a satisfying meal, but get in touch with your body and see what it’s craving. It likely wants a salad every now and then, too. Processed foods and refined sugars can actually worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety. So if you’ve been feeling low, check out your fridge and see what might need to go.

Tip #4: Pick up a new (or old) hobby

Often our social calendars are left pretty empty after the holidays have subsided, or even if we do have plans, we just can’t fathom the idea of going back out into the cold after we get home for the day. Many of us wind up feeling isolated as a result. If you’ve got some extra time on your hands, consider picking up a new hobby, or finishing that project that you never got a chance to complete. Working on something new, or completing even a seemingly small task (think printing out your vacation photos) can give us a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that we’ve been longing for.

Tip #5: Get outside

Yes, it’s cold. Yes, it’s dark at 5 pm. Yes, the air hurts your face. But sometimes the best thing to do in this cold weather is embrace it, even if it’s just for a 5 minute walk around the block. Make sure you bundle up tight and keep yourself as warm as possible, and then get out there! It’s going to be brisk, but embracing the cold can actually be good for us! And imagine how thankful you’re going to feel when you make it back inside your house.

Tip #6: Make everyday tasks easier on yourself.

If you find that you’re avoiding tasks like getting gas or groceries because of the cold weather, take the easy option. Go to a full service gas station, or order your groceries online and pick them up in your car. Many of these services are available at your local grocery store and they charge less than you would think.

If you have any other tips or tricks we’d love to hear them! Reach out to us at info@cmhasaskatoon.ca. And as always, trust yourself in knowing when you might need additional support. These tips may not work for everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for help.

Cheers!

 

 

What actually is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder is simply: depression that follows a seasonal pattern.

The most typical example of SAD that you have likely heard is when someone experiences symptoms of depression throughout the winter months, in climates where there is less exposure to sun throughout the day. Which basically translates to: reduced vitmain d = depression.

But, alas, it’s never that simple with mental illness is it?

Did you know that it’s possible to experience SAD in the summer? Yep, you heard it right. Some people actually experience depression seasonally in the summer months, or the fall, or the spring.

So, while a lack of vitamin d formation can definitely play a factor, it’s not the only reason someone may experience SAD.

But, if you’ve been struggling during these cold, grey days, you’re not alone there either. We’ll be sharing some tips on getting through those winter blues in our upcoming posts!

#cmhasaskatoon #mentalhealthforall #mentalhealth #SAD #seasonalaffectivedisorder #vitamind #winterblues

Do you really need a fresh start?

Hashtag new year, new me!

But, is it?

Because we’ve been back at it for a few days now, and the only thing that’s new is this killer cold wind that’s been chilling us to the bone.

Here’s the thing about New Years, and the holiday season in general (just read this whole thing before you decide that we’re grinches please):

We spend the entire month of December saying “Oh, it’s Christmas! I can sleep in, I can live like a sloth, I can eat chocolate for supper”, and on and on. And then, on January 1st, we’re all of a sudden supposed to snap into super human form, have everything on track, and then throw a few unmeasurable, abstract goals in the mix.

It’s a recipe for DISASTER. Like, crying on the floor, thinking you have failed as a human by January 5th kind of disaster.

And can we just say…what was so wrong with you in the first place?!

So this year, how about this?

Congratulate yourself on a job well done. Look back on all of those dark days that you made it through. Celebrate whatever you accomplished.

And yes, sometimes brushing your teeth and changing out of pajamas actually does win you a gold star. This year, you’re not changing anything out of self-hate. This year is the year that you get to love the heck out of yourself, and let’s see how much you grow then.

Congratulations to all of us for making it 2020, and hears to a year of no resolutions, which may just be the best resolution of all.

#cmhasaskatoon #mentalhealthforall #mentalhealth #newyearnewme #happynewyear #2020 #noresolutions