The Canadian Mental Health Association is hosting a Women in Wellness social awareness/ fundraising event that aims to help remove the stigma of mental illness.
Women in Wellness events are designed to be a forum to promote learning, healing and discussion that help lessen the stigma around mental illness.
This is done by engaging women in conversation about how mental health issues affect them, their families and their friends.
"Through education and encouragement we hope to see a society in which mental health and mental illness is discussed openly and in which those requiring help feel empowered to ask for it," Helen MacDonnell, founding chair of Women and Wellness, said in a press release. "We will take the first steps toward this by harnessing the incredible power that is created by hundreds of women determined to fight the stigma associated with mental illness."
A New Brunswick woman started Women and Wellness after her brother committed suicide, having struggled for many years with bipolar disorder.
The Simon Fraser branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is hosting a Women in Wellness event in New Westminster on Friday, March 30 at 7: 30 p.m. at the Westminster Club. Ginny Dennehy from the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation is the keynote speaker, and New Westminster MLA Dawn Black is the MC.
Dennehy and her husband founded the foundation after their 17-year-old son committed suicide in 2001, after a short battle with depression. The foundation has raised more than $4 million for care, education and research projects.
The event is free, but seats must be reserved before March 23. The event has no dress code and a cash bar.
"Donations of any size are welcome and there will be a silent auction for those interested," stated a press release. "While men may volunteer at this event, this is a night out, night off and night together for women only."
To RSVP, contact Rodney Baker at 6045168080 or email rodney [email protected]. Seating is limited.
MEETING SPACE
The Last Door Recovery Society has unveiled its new community meeting space.
At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, the society celebrated its new meeting space and recognized those who supported the project. The meeting space has been built on the site of the Last Door's facility on Eighth Street. According to the society, the 630-square-foot, state-of-the art meeting space will be used by a variety of groups.
"The project itself was a community effort - like alumni creating the wainscoting from recycled maple headboards donated by the Inn at Westminster Quay," said a press release.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr, who attended the event, said the Last Door provides an incredible program and has saved tens of thousands of lives through the years.
Mayor Wayne Wright said many residents are unaware of the Last Door's presence in the community, which shows it is being a good neighbour.
The Last Door Recovery Society is a non-profit organization that operates drug and alcohol treatment centres for adults and youth.
HELP FOR PARENTS
A trio of local organizations is teaming up to provide three parenting workshops in the coming months.
New Westminster community schools, the New Westminster Middle Childhood Development Committee and Family Services of Greater Vancouver are partnering the Effective Parenting workshops for parents of children aged six to 12.
"They are on three different topics - the first one being on setting limits, the second one being on relationship building and the third one being on managing stress," said Drea Owen, community school coordinator. "Parents have the option to attend all three or choose one or choose two that they feel they have their most connection to or need help with."
The workshops, which will be facilitated by Lyndsay Sieger, will take place at John Robson Elementary School on Wednesday, March 28, April 4 and April 11. All sessions take place from 6: 30 to 8: 30 p.m.
TEEN ACHIEVER
Hannah Block of New Westminster will be a delegate in the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant in Toronto in July.
Hannah, 14, was the youngest B.C. teenager chosen at a recent competition in Richmond to be a delegate at the pageant.
During the two-day competition, 34 girls aged 14 to 19 vied for 15 B.C. spots at the pageant.
Hannah explained why her platform, Right to Play Canada, is dear to her heart. She's been inspired by Right to Play's honorary chair Wayne Gretzky.
"You never know unless you try," she said. "The opportunity to be involved in sports has made such a positive impact on my life.
- I believe this opportunity should be available worldwide."
Hannah has been a competitive rock climber on the Cliffhangers Coquitlam team for the past four years and placed fifth in Canada in her category. She was also a "flyer" with the New Westminster Secondary School's cheerleading team.
Hannah, a Grade 9 preInternational Baccalaureate student at NWSS, also volunteers with the New Westminster Youth Centre and at an after-school girls group that tries to present positive role models for youth. She's also an antibullying facilitator with the Red Cross.
