Relax, Rejuvenate and Revive Yourself

CMHA VB is excited to launch a new website for 2012's Your Wellness Day. This years Wellness Day will be on Thursday, May 10th, 2012 during National Mental Health Week. Your Wellness Day is organized by CMHA VB and the MPA Society.

Your Wellness Day is a creative fundraiser that benefits local businesses, mental health organizations and overworked individuals. This mission based campaign will encourage people individually or in groups to explore the connection food, wellness services, physical activity and spirituality has on mental health by
visiting community vendors. The event will provide the opportunity to explore local health services.

Local businesses participating in the event benefit from event promotion, positive public image, a charitable tax receipt and a new customer base. In turn they donate 20% of their days profits to CMHA and the MPA Society. Unlike in the past when only spas and salons participated, this year participation will be opened up to all local businesses with a focus on mental health and general well being.

'Tis the season to mulit-task and we would love to wrap your gifts

 The more the merrier!

Please spread the word.

Thank you

Your Wellness Day

On May 29th, I am asking you to book a spa or salon treatment for yourself or you and your friends to celebrate “Your Wellness Day.” If you are familiar with the successful “Dine Out For Life Event,” we are organizing an event of similar structure but instead of restaurants donating to HIV/AIDS charities, we have partnered with spas and salons in support of mental health.

The two charities involved are MPA Society and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Please visit the sites, I know you will find the information and work of the organizations both useful and compelling.

Here’s what I am hoping you will do:
1. Please schedule a spa or salon appointment for May 29th at one of our partner businesses. These can be found at http://www.yourwellnessday.ca/.
2. Please let them know you are booking with them because you appreciate that they are supporting this important cause. And
3. Please forward this blog to all of your contacts, so that they too can pamper themselves, while supporting a terrific cause.

The website will continue to be updated for another week, so if your favorite spa isn’t on board yet, please let me know and I will try and track them down.

We intend to make this an annual event. This is our first year, and we purposefully started small. We are tremendously grateful to the spas and salons that have joined as inaugural business partners and the media that has offered us promotions and recognition.

We are especially thankful to you for booking appointments with these partners and letting them know how much you support business’ efforts to assist community organizations!

Happy Pampering!

The Ride For Mental Health

Tuesday May 19th Kick Off Celebration

Our branch is pleased to be a community partner in one man's dream to make a difference. Mel Thompson is going to start his journey to bicycle across Canada to raise awareness and acceptance of mental health issues. Now is your chance to be part of this incredible journey by showing your support and sending him on his way with a true Vancouver send off.

11:00 am – Vanier Park.

Mel will dip his wheels in water and cycle up to the Vancouver Art Gallery, where the party awaits him. Local cyclist can join Mel – to join him on this short ride all you need to do is 1) email Andy to RSVP 2) show up with your bicycle. 3) sign a waiver (available on site)
Click here to email Andy

12:00 (noon) – Vancouver Art Gallery, Georgia Street Side. Celebration Central
· Live music by RadioPlay featuring Michael LeBlanc
· Interactive Booths and Tables that feature lots of great tips to promote your own wellness

12:30 pm - Fun talk by Dr. Art Hister of CKNW and Global TV on mental health promotion
Mel Thomson takes a moment to reflect on his motivation and inspiration.
Xerox presentation of community fundraising to CMHA Vancouver Burnaby Branch

1:00 pm – Mel’s journey begin.

You can follow Mel through Facebook, Twitter and his Blog. Check out his website http://www.therideformentalhealth.org/ for details.

Thank you everyone for your support. Please take the time to join us and help us collectively send a message of the importance of mental health and how we can all create change!