Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 1 – 7, 2017

CENTRAL ZONE – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is hosting activities to mark this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 1-7), which focuses on spreading mental health awareness and reducing stigma.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness throughout their lifetime. Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) provides an opportunity to talk about mental health issues and the importance of early recognition, proper diagnosis and access to effective medical treatments and support.

Know if you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Help is available through Health Link at 811 or the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642.

To help celebrate Mental Illness Awareness Week, please join in on the following events in your zone:

• Lloydminster
  Oct. 5, 2017 (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
  Lloydminster Centennial Civic Centre, 5405 49 Avenue

Lloydminster Maternal Mental Health Initiative invites you to be part of an important community conversation, and to help raise awareness for perinatal mood disorders.

Please join us for a free public screening of When The Bough Breaks, a documentary on postpartum depression.  Panel discussion to follow.

Registration is requested, limited seating available. Refreshments provided. https://www.picatic.com/event15044983033181

• Lacombe
  Oct. 2 to 7, 2017
  Lacombe Mall, 5230 45 St

AHS Lacombe Addiction & Mental Health will have an informative display with tips, and resources available in the community. Come on by to learn more about mental illness and help reduce the stigma.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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