Minding Our Bodies is a two-year project (2008-2010). Our goal is to increase capacity within the community mental health system in Ontario to promote active living and to create new opportunities for physical activity for people with serious mental illness to support recovery.

Our provincial mental health promotion program will serve as an “incubator” to help mental health service providers in Ontario, together with community partners, develop and deliver evidence-based physical activity programs, improve access to local resources, and promote social inclusion.

Minding Our Bodies is an initiative of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, in partnership with YMCA Ontario and York University's Faculty of Health, with support from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion through the Communities in Action Fund.

How to Get Involved

Here are a few ways for you to get involved in the Minding Our Bodies project:

• Become a community member! Gain access to the following Minding Our Bodies resources:
  • Listserv:  Ask questions and dialogue with other program leaders and experts in the field.
  • Monthly e-Bulletin:  Learn the latest news, research updates and seasonal tips.
  • Program Directory (available March 2010)
  • Minding Our Bodies Toolkit (available March 2010)
• Spread the word about Minding Our Bodies. Encourage your colleagues to visit the website and subscribe to the e-bulletin. (See Share with Friends in the sidebar.)
• If your organization has a physical activity program, create a profile in our Program Directory that describes the good work you're doing.
• Visit our Community Forum and share your own success story about being physically active and how it helped you.
• Let us know if you are interested in contributing resources or ideas to the Minding Our Bodies project.
• If you know of an organization who would be interested in sponsoring the MOB project, please refer them to our project manager.

We welcome your questions, comments and ideas. Contact us.