Helping people with diabetes manage their own illness and improve their health plays a key role in the prevention and management of this chronic disease. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario, the Ontario Peer Development Initiative (OPDI) and the Provincial Consumer/Survivor LHIN Leads Network (PCSLL) have launched a two-year project to provide diabetes competency training for mental health peer-support workers.
Latest News
Exercise Therapy for Schizophrenia
Posted on July 14, 2010
New evidence is contributing to the recognition that exercise can have mental health benefits for people with serious mental illness, according to a recent scientific review published by the Cochrane Collaboration.
Green Exercise Improves Mental Health (UK)
Posted on July 14, 2010
Physical activity in the presence of nature (green exercise) provides immediate mental health benefits for mood and self-esteem, according to a review article from the UK.
Picnic Food: Ideas and Cautions
Posted on July 14, 2010
A picnic may be an ideal time to combine physical activity and healthy eating. It can be a perfect moment to introduce some healthy food options for snacks and beverages.
For picnic food ideas, read this webpage from Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD/LD, director of nutrition for WebMD Health:
www.medicinenet.com
Minding Our Bodies: Piloting the Eating Well for Mental Health project
Posted on June 22, 2010
Minding Our Bodies is asking for expressions of interest from organizations willing to carry out one of six pilot Eating Well for Mental Health programs. The pilot programs will run in Ontario between August and December 2010. If your organization wishes to participate, please complete the “Expression of Interest” form. The forms are due by 4:00 pm on Friday, July 9, 2010.
Fight Bac!
Posted on June 22, 2010
Did you know that an estimated 11 to 13 million Canadians become ill from food-borne bacteria each year? These illnesses occur when people consume food that is contaminated with harmful bacteria or other micro-organisms. Although some occurrences are bound to happen, there is much that can be done in terms of prevention. If you’re running a nutrition program, it is important to follow food safety practices that protect attendees from becoming ill, as well as teach them how to protect themselves.
Free support in media relations and media advocacy
Posted on June 22, 2010
Raise the community profile of your program with free media relations and advocacy support. The Media Network is a program that for the past decade has been serving practitioners and advocates of public health and people working in tobacco control. Through a grant from the Healthy Communities Fund, the group is now expanding into support for healthy eating and active living.
The goals and objectives of this service include:
Celebrate the berry nice weather
Posted on June 22, 2010
’Tis the season for strawberry picking. Get outdoors and rediscover what Ontario has to offer in your region. To find a U-pick farm near you, check out the Ontario Farm Visit website: http://ontario.farmvisit.com
Another social outing could be a trip to the farmers’ market to see what local produce is available. For a listing of farmers’ markets in Ontario, see www.farmersmarketsontario.com/Markets.cfm.
Ontario Trillium Foundation: Prepare for the fall deadline
Posted on June 22, 2010
The Ontario Trillium Foundation funds an array of community and provincial programs for people of all ages and abilities that support the development of healthy communities. Of the four areas given priority, one has a focus on “healthier and more physically active Ontarians.” Grants in this stream are intended for initiatives that, among other goals, create opportunities for physical and recreational activity, support the creation of sustainable systems of health and well-being, and protect the natural environment.
Shaking up the neighbourhood
Posted on May 19, 2010
Do your surroundings lack outdoor physical activity opportunities and spaces for you and your program participants? Sidewalks that are maintained, parks and other greenspace, and connected walking routes are all parts of the design of a community that can support physical activity. Community mental health organizations can join other stakeholders, including residents, to advocate for neighbourhoods that are designed to support activities such as walking and other forms of active transportation.
Winging It
Posted on May 19, 2010
Birdwatching (or birding) could add a special focus to walks in May. It can be added to a walking group, to mindfulness meditative walks, or as a special outing. May is a particularly good time of year to see migratory birds. Learn about some areas for birding in Ontario through the Ontario Field Ornithologists (www.ofo.ca), who publish site guides and articles about favourite birding hotspots.
Preventing cardiovascular disease in different ethnic groups in Ontario
Posted on May 19, 2010
Ontario has about 9.1 million people of European descent and over 1.8 million people of South Asian, Chinese or Black descent. Even as they share the same home province, they are at different risks for cardiovascular disease.
CMHA Ontario receives VOICE award
Posted on April 28, 2010
The Haldimand-Norfolk Resource Centre has awarded CMHA Ontario with a VOICE (Victory Over Illness by Consumer Empowerment) Recognition Award, which recognizes the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations that contribute to mental health in Haldimand-Norfolk.
Find a dietitian
Posted on April 20, 2010
The Dietitians of Canada have a searchable online directory to help you find a dietitian in your area.
Peering into the Evaluation Process
Posted on April 20, 2010
Whereas program-evaluation expertise may have been out of reach for some non-profit organizations, the Paloma Foundation and the Wellesley Institute are providing participatory methods for organizations to bridge this gap. “Working Together: The Paloma-Wellesley Guide to Participatory Program Evaluation” assembles recommended methods for program evaluation with an eye to engaging important stakeholders, such as program participants, in all aspects of the evaluation process.
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Minding Our Bodies is an initiative of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, in partnership with Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, Nutrition Resource Centre, YMCA Ontario, and York University's Faculty of Health with support from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion.
Minding Our Bodies is an initiative of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, in partnership with Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, Nutrition Resource Centre, YMCA Ontario, and York University's Faculty of Health with support from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion.