On Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, CMHA Ontario joined international mental health organizations to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Led by the World Federation of Mental Health, World Mental Health Day is supported by the World Health Organization as an important day to raise awareness and advocate for better care for those with mental health issues worldwide. The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is Psychological & Mental Health First Aid for All, in recognition of the fact that mental health first aid training helps everyone provide support to those in distress.
Psychological and emotional distress can happen to anyone anywhere — in our homes, schools, workplace, or in any public space. Mental health first aid training provides the tools to offer help to a person developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or until the crisis resolves.
CMHA branches across the province provide Mental Health First Aid training throughout the year. For more information on mental health first aid, visit the program website.