2016-04-14

RUN4HOPE to make a difference in the lives of others and save 40% on your race registration! Sign up today and run for one of 15 charities including Canadian Mental Health Association!



Charity Program: Featuring child and youth programs at the Canadian Mental Health Association.

YOU CAN HELP CREATE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES

In Canada, 3.2 million youth between the ages of 12-19 years old are at risk of developing a mental illness. Only 1 out of 5 of these youth will receive the mental health services they need for recovery. Even more staggering is that roughly 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence. Identifying the early warning signs of a mental illness and timely intervention are vital to prevent problems from becoming serious.

With the right support and services, mental health problems and illnesses can be treated effectively.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides educational, recreational and leisure Child and Youth Programs across Canada. Today, we bring your attention to one of the programs we offer here in Greater Vancouver:

HeadStrong- What The Health Is Going On?

It is a mental health awareness program offered to youth to provide them with language to be able to talk about mental health concerns, as well as equip the youth with effective tools and healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress. The program also provides youth with accurate information on accessing help for themselves, their peers and their loved ones.

It is an outreach program that is delivered with no cost in high schools and to community youth groups through trained youth facilitators who lead discussion groups that present vital information about understanding mental illnesses.

The key strength of the program is that these interactive discussions are led by youth; generally university or grade 12 students who are studying in a related academic field. Most often, the youth facilitators have personal life experiences with mental health issues, either themselves or a family member. Their personal stories are woven into the presentation that demonstrate the value of early help seeking. It also provides a message of hope and recovery as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental health disorders.

Canadian Mental Health Association is a nationwide voluntary movement that promotes mental health for all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. Each year, we provide direct service to more than 100,000 individuals across Canada in over 120 communities.

The BMO Vancouver Marathon runners supporting mental health will ensure Canadian Mental Health Association Child and Youth programs have the funds to continue to serve vulnerable youth in our community.

Thanks to the BMO Vancouver Marathon Run4Hope program, 100% of the funds raised by our runners will go directly to help youth to reach their potential.

Please join our team as one of the Canadian Mental Health Association Runners, register to run. To create a personal fundraising page or to make a direct donation, go to CMHA RUN4HOPE

For additional information, contact grace.kwok@cmha.bc.ca or call 604-872-4902(237)

Facebook www.facebook.com/CMHAVancouverFraser/

Twitter https://twitter.com/CMHA_VF

Website: www.vf.cmha.bc.ca

RUN4HOPE and fundraise for us!Make a donation!

To learn more about the RUN4HOPE program please click here.

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