Alberta Health Services marks Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 5-11, 2008

EDMONTON, AB - Seniors' mental health is a key focus of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) 2008 and Alberta Health Services (AHS) will mark this week with events and interactive displays in local health facilities.

Aging is a natural process with many new experiences to look forward to. Seniors can take a number of positive steps to support their well being and to contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

During MIAW, AHS will release a booklet called Mindful Aging. This new resource provides seniors with many practical suggestions on healthy living for older adults and ways to approach aging during this transition period of their lives.

The goals of this new resource are to

• Dispel common myths related to the aging mind.
• Promote good mental health in the older years.
• Increase mental health literacy among older adults and their caregivers.
• Encourage seniors to take care of their mental health.

The book can be viewed at http://www.amhb.ab.ca/Publications/publications/Pages/MindfulAging.aspx. Alternatively, a hard copy can be obtained by contacting your community mental health office or clinic.

Some challenges that may affect adults in later life include depression, anxiety, dementia, and addictions. While aging is inevitable, it is possible to take steps to be healthy, including: staying physically and mentally active, having a positive attitude and willingness to embrace change, and learning to be resilient.

For media inquiries and to learn more about activities in your area, please contact:

Alberta Health Services - Chinook Health
Richard Shelson
Manager, Adult Services - Lethbridge Clinic
Mental Health Program
200-5th Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4L1
403-381-5260

Alberta Health Services - Palliser Health Region
Taryn Neva
Mental Health Promotion Facilitator
666-5th Street SW,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4H6
403-529-8030

Alberta Health Services - Calgary Health Region
Julia Arndt
Project Coordinator
Centre 15, 1509 Centre Street SW
Calgary, AB T2G 2E6
403-943-8108

Alberta Health Services - David Thompson Health Region
Emily Berrigan
Mental Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Coordinator
Mental Health Services
4733-49 Street
Red Deer, AB T4N 1T6
403-340-5410

Alberta Health Services - East Central Health
Wendy Fothergill
Mental Health Promotions, Camrose Mental Health
PO Box 300
4811-49 Avenue
Killam, AB T0B 2L0
780-385-7164

Alberta Health Services - Capital Health
Dianne Drummond
Eating Disorder Specialist
Regional Mental Health Program
5th Floor, 9942-108 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2J5
780-429-7895

Alberta Health Services - Aspen Health Region
Trevor Haas
Mental Health Promotion Facilitator
Hinton Community Health Services
1280A Switzer Drive
Hinton, AB T7V 1T5
780-865-8247

Alberta Health Services - Peace Country Health
Susan Hally
Population Health Manager
Peace Country Health
Provincial Bldg.; #2101, 10320-99 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6J4
780-830-3549

Alberta Health Services - Northern Lights Health Region
Tammy O'Quinn
Regional Mental Wellness Facilitator
Mental Health Services
Northern Lights Health Region
7 Hospital Street
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1P2
780-791-6075