University goes green to #GETLOUD about mental health

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) will join forces with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Children’s Mental Health Ontario to promote mental health awareness through the Shine Green for Mental Health campaign.

Mental Health Week (Monday May 1 to Saturday, May 7) is a national event designed to encourage people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health.

Here are three ways you can show your support:

Wear green:

In the 1800s, some jurisdictions used the colour green to label people ‘insane.' Turn that negative history on its head by wearing green during Mental Health Week. Take a selfie and share it online with the hashtags #GETLOUD and #kidscantwait.

Talk about mental health:

Fight stigma by discussing mental health challenges openly with your colleagues, friends and family. Offer to listen without judgment, and to do what you can to help. The more you talk about it, the easier it is to end the silence and shame, and the sooner you can get support for yourself or someone else.

Get educated:

Learn more about mental health-related research initiatives at the university, including:

• The university’s Futures Forum on Community Health and Wellness (on Wednesday, May 10), which will draw together leading mental health experts and researchers for a one-day series of in-depth discussions focusing on community mental health and wellness.
• Dr. Robert Balogh, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), who recently co-authored a report on the mental health-care challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities.
• Dr. Pierre Côté, Canada Research Chair in Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, and Associate Professor, FHS, who leads a joint UOIT-CMHA research project surrounding student mental health. The project has received funding by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and will take place in the 2017-2018 academic year.
• Dr. Wendy Stanyon, Associate Professor, FHS, who led the development of Mindsight, an online educational resource to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and teach users about some basic strategies and resources for supporting individuals living with mental illness.