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!

Mel Thompson is on his way.

Some photos and a few words that commemorate the start of an incredible journey, The Ride for Mental Health, to open hearts and minds and to create awareness and acceptance for those living with mental illness.


The cyclists arrive


The Xerox Organizing Team: Andre, Sharon, Kevin, Rob, Naz, Andy, Steve and Catherine


Merrill Shepard - CMHAVB Past President, Dr. Art Hister, Pervez Siddiqui - CMHAVB President, Dr. Kerry Jang - City Councillor


Mel Thompson

In Mel Thompson's Own Words:

"We literally just parked the bikes after an incredible launch. We met at Vanier Beach to dip the wheels of my bike in the ocean. Then a group of about 25 riders pedalled with me to the Art Gallery at the city centre. A live band, "RADIOPLAY" greeted us and the Executive Director of the CMHA Vancouver Burnaby Branch mc'd the ceremonies. A city counsellor, Dr. Kerry Jang,(who is also a psychiatrist) commented on the City's commitment to mental health and spoke of several initiatives. A local TV and radio personality, Dr Art Hister, made a great speech with some humour and they gave me about 10 minutes. I introduced my daughter Lindsay who spoke for 3 minutes and then I spoke for about 5 and had an opportunity to thank the organizers and the band and the CMHA Vancouver Burnaby Branch and talk a little about our objectives. Then Andy recognized the committee and then presented a cheque for $7777.00. Then we rode out with several police officers on bikes escorting us out of town.

Things went very smoothly and even the weather cooperated.

So my quote for the day is "Thanks to Andy and the Vancouver team for an amazing launch of the Ride For Mental Health. We had a fun first day of riding, arriving in Mission about 85 K from Vancouver. There are countless hills and mountains between here and Calgary. They worry me but I'm going to knock them down one at a time. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and to a great event in Calgary.""

Meeting the Business Crowd

Last week, CMHA VB staff and volunteers headed to downtown Vancouver to do a little one-on-one mental health promotion. We handed out over 1000 stress-test cards that contain work-life balance tips on the back.

I'll admit, some people wouldn't even look at us as the rushed by and some people politely declined our free information. But more people accepted our cards with a smile. Given that we handed them all out in less than 20 minutes, I'd say they were a big hit. We're hoping that as people take them back to their office they will share them with their co-workers or take them home and share them with family and friends.

Sometimes, it just take a gentle reminder, to encourage people to re-focus on balance, wellness and self-care.

Huge thanks to all our volunteers who made this Mental Health Week event a great success.

Click here to view our top tips and feel free to let us know if there are tips you use that we can share with others.

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!

Mental Health Week - The Proclamation

Last Tuesday May 5th, 2009, His Worship the Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson proclaimed Mental Health Week for the City of Vancouver.

This event was notable for several reasons. First, because it was my first opportunity to address council on the importance of mental health promotion for all its citizens.

Secondly, because the MPA Society, represented by their Executive Director, David MacIntyre, was the co-recipient of the proclamation. This was a public demonstration of the partnership and shared values between our two organizations.

Lastly, because CMHA is working to further its community presence and we are proud to work with our civic elected and administrative officials to build stronger healthier communities.

David MacIntrye, Rebecca Shields, Mayor Robertson