Mental Health Week – Join the celebration!
Willow Pavilion at VGH is celebrating its 2nd Annual Mental Health Week, May 5 to 9, with an event-a-day approach that will give everyone a reason to come out and get involved.
“Mental Health Week allows us an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health, while creating a sense of community,” said Chris Flynn, Patient Services Manager, Tertiary Mental Health, VCH. “Clients and staff alike look forward to this annual event as an opportunity to celebrate Mental Health and focus on the positives through eliminating barriers and stigmas.”
This year’s theme, Mental Wellness starts with Hope and Compassion, illustrates perfectly the collective desires of all mental health workers who help clients and patients achieve wellness through recovery.
The week’s highlight is Thursday’s Walk-a Mile for Mental Health. The event began 25 years ago at Riverview Hospital. Last year, Walk-a-Mile was hosted for the first time at the new VGH Willow Pavilion site. The annual tradition continues in 2014.
Thursday’s Walk-a-Mile event will feature a barbecue and live music, provided by the Pennington Hall Band. A donation gets you lunch and a t-shirt. RSVP by May 6 if you plan to stay for lunch and would like a t-shirt. RSVP to Denice Dobinson, denice.dobinson@vch.ca.
Pre-registration and donations are NOT required if you only want to participate in the walk. All other Mental Health Week events are open to VCH staff and the public without preregistration.
Daily event schedule:
Monday, May 5
- Older Adult Information Display – 1 to 4 p.m. Come to Willow Pavilion, 1st floor, to learn about the unique nature of Willow’s older adult psychiatric population.
- Art Studio and Willow Pavilion Artist Exhibit and Sale – 4 to 6 p.m., Willow Pavilion, 1st floor Multi-Purpose Room.
Tuesday, May 6
- Stand Up to Mental Health – Come share a few laughs as seasoned comedians take a look at the lighter side of mental health issues. 12 noon, JPP Round Room. Repeats at 1:30 p.m. at Willow Pavilion, 1st floor Multi-Purpose Room.
- Movie Night – “Young at Heart” is the story of the New England senior citizen’s chorus that has delighted audience worldwide. Prepare to be entertained. 6 to 8 p.m., Willow Pavilion, 1st floor Multi-Purpose Room.
Wednesday, May 7
- Creative Showcase – Come experience first-hand the creative talents of clients in the TMH programs at VCH. 1:30 p.m. Willow Pavilion, 1st floor Multi-Purpose Room.
- Can psychotherapy reduce psychotic symptoms? – Come join the discussion with Dr. Mahesh Menon about the types of psychotherapeutic interventions which have been shown improve delusions and hallucinations in psychosis, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and metacognitive training (MCT). 3 to 4 p.m., Willow Pavilion, 1st floor, Room 132.
Thursday, May 8
- Walk-a-Mile for Mental Health. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Heather Green Space @ 10th and Willow. Come for a walk. Stay for the barbecue and party. Lunch and t-shirt by donation and advance RSVP to denice.dobinson@vch.ca is required by May 6.
Friday, May 9
- Willow Games – 1:30 p.m. Heather Green Space @ 10th and Willow. Come test your skills and your teamwork.