Each year, CMHA Vernon observes two awareness weeks: Mental Health Week in May and Mental Illness Awareness Week in October.
Mental Health Week: May
Since 1951, the national office of the Canadian Mental Health Association has commemmorated Mental Health Week. Through this annual event, we bring the mental health message to the broader community. It is designed as a celebration of mentally healthy lifestyles and positive attitudes, as well as a source of information and support. For Mental Health Week, we have organized presentations, pancake breakfasts, thrift store sales, craft fairs, and other community events. Mental Health Week is the first full week of May from Monday to Sunday. This year's event runs from Monday, May 4 to Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Mental Illness Awareness Week: October
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) carries on where Mental Health Week leaves off by focusing attention on mental disorders: signs and symptoms, how to get help, stigma, hope and recovery, and the impact of mental illness on lives, families, workplaces and society. MIAW was initially spearheaded by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and is now an education project of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, a national fifteen-member alliance of organizations representing the entire mental health-illness continuum. Mental Illness Awareness Week is always the first full week of October. Depression Anxiety Screening and Education Day across BC is always held on the Thursday of Mental Illness Awareness Week.
