Health and Community Services
March 9, 2015

Increasing Awareness of Mental Health and Addictions

Provincial Government Proclaims March 8 to 14 First Annual Stigma Awareness Week

Joining with community partners CHANNAL and the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government is proclaiming March 8 to 14 as the first annual Provincial Stigma Awareness Week.

�The challenges and stigmas associated with mental illness and addictions are significant but not insurmountable. Through education, awareness and a willingness to face this issue head on we can all do our part to reduce stigma and create an environment open to healing, growth and recovery. I commend CHANNAL and the Schizophrenia Society for taking the lead on the first annual Stigma Awareness Week. This week will further complement our provincial anti-stigma campaign Understanding Changes Everything. Together, we are all committed to addressing mental illness and addictions, improving the delivery of care and playing an active role in making mental health a part of our everyday language.�
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

CHANNAL and the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador have established Stigma Awareness Week to bring attention to the negative impact of stigma and discrimination in the lives of individuals and their families, and to support those living with mental health and addictions issues. The hope is to move forward in creating a culture of understanding and equality for all individuals.

As part of Stigma Awareness Week, CHANNAL has several events planned in St. John�s and Stephenville. For a list of events please see backgrounder below.

�The stigma of mental illness and addictions affect each and every one of us. This week is about creating spaces to openly examine our own personal stigmatizing beliefs and actions and to challenge ourselves to be change agents. When we provide a smile instead of rolling eyes, a kind word instead of a snicker, curiosity instead of judgement, we combat stigma. Our first annual Variety Show, hosted both in Stephenville and St. John's, will highlight the many amazing talents and personalities of a variety of individuals, and will share the message that we are more than our mental illnesses.�
- Paula Corcoran-Jacobs, Provincial Executive Director, CHANNAL

This past year, the Provincial Government launched the Understanding Changes Everything campaign that focuses on challenging and changing the way people think and act toward individuals with a mental illness or addiction. To learn more about the campaign, please visit www.understandnow.ca , like the Facebook page Understanding Changes Everything or follow on Twitter @UnderstandNowNL .

QUICK FACTS

  • The Provincial Government is joining with community partners CHANNAL and the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, to proclaim March 8 to 14 as the first annual Provincial Stigma Awareness Week.
  • The week is focused on bringing direct attention to the issue of stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness through awareness and understanding.
  • For more information on the events being held in recognition of Stigma Awareness Week, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1394860037491222/ or contact 1-855-753-2560
  • To learn more about the Understanding Changes Everything campaign visit www.understandnow.ca .
  • To connect with a mental health professional, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, please call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 1 888-737-4668

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Media contacts:

Hugh Donnan
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 725-6511
hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca 		Paula Corcoran-Jacobs
Provincial Executive Director
CHANNAL
709-725-5532
855-753-2560
ed@channal.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Events hosted by CHANNAL in St. Johns and Stephenville for the first annual Provincial Stigma Awareness Week:

St. John�s

  • Monday, March 9, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. � Open House at CHANNAL, 284 LeMarchant Road
  • Tuesday March 10, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. � Flash Mob at Atlantic Place
  • Thursday March 12, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. � Variety Show at Gower St. United Church, 99 Queen's Road
  • Friday March 13, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. � Freestyle Friday at CHANNAL, 284 LeMarchant Road

For more information on the events in St. John�s or to learn how to take part, please contact Erin Gallant at 709-753-7710 or email egallant@channal.ca

Stephenville

  • Tuesday, March 10, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. � Open House at CHANNAL, 106-108 Carolina Avenue
  • Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. � Community Caf� at the Lions Club
  • Thursday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. � Variety Show, LA Bown Building, Bay St. George Campus, College of the North Atlantic
  • Friday, March 13, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. � Freestyle Friday, at CHANNAL, 106-108 Carolina Avenue

For more information on the events in Stephenville or to learn how to take part, please contact Bonnie Rotchford at 709-643-4361 or email peerwestern1@channal.ca

2015 03 09                                                 10:15 a.m.