Canadian Mental Health Association
102 1st St NW R1N 1Y9 Portage La Prairie, MB, Canada

If you haven't checked it out yet, NOW is the time! Check out Thrive Learning Center's NEW Online Course Schedules. Thrive is now offering: A Conversation about Conversations Effective Assertiveness Healthy Self-Love... When Substance Abuse becomes Problematic How to Get a Restful Sleep ENROLL NOW www.central.cmha.ca/thrive/enroll 204-240-8510 [email protected]

#MentalHealthMinute

#YourJourneyStartsHere

We are so thrilled to see this promising commitment to the mental health and well-being of Manitobans

Did you know that anxiety can be experienced differently from one person to another? Not all symptoms are common and some are not easily recognized. Looking at this summary of symptoms, take a moment and ask yourself how you experience anxiety

For all of us in the mental health professions! Join the discussion on Tuesday February 23rd 10am -12pm and share your valuable perceptives and experiences!

Introducing: Pembina Valley Pride! We are so grateful for your leadership, dedication, and advocacy for our 2SLGBTQ+ community members! #MentalHealth4All

Now more than ever, our mental health and well-being are at the forefront of our families, our workplaces, and our communities across Southern Manitoba. People are being challenged like never before due to isolation, underlying health concerns, substance misuse, financial and employment changes, and even the loss of a loved one. At CMHA Central, we are working to meet the growing mental health needs of our rural communities, but we cannot do this alone. With your donations, ...you make it possible to continue our programs and services, while keeping our costs low. As your community leader and champion for mental health, CMHA Central offers accessible psycho-education and resources, fosters resiliency, and supports recovery from mental illness. This is possible through programs like our Thrive Learning Centre, CMHA Regional Wellness Line, Emergency and Transitional Housing, and dedicated team of Mental Health Support Workers. If you can, please help us by making a donation, and liking/sharing our page. We are all in this together. https://central.cmha.ca/get-involved/donate/ #CMHA #CMHACentral #supportmentalhealth

It can be surprising how great our mood can improve when someone takes the time to listen and understand. Even if you don't think you'll need it right now, we encourage you to save this number into your phone. Keep up the good work Manitoba Metis Federation !

Stay healthy everyone! If you or a member of your household is experiencing flu-like symptoms, don't wait to get tested! Call 1-855-268-4318 or book online (http://ow.ly/uFdc50CNu8N) for an appointment (Drive-Thru testing sites do not require appointments)

Come take part in this free and informative webinar and learn how you can be an agent of change in your community! Details below:

Thank you Pamela Krasnuik at SEED Winnipeg Inc. for noticing and responding to the needs of our remote First Nations communities. So glad to see this much-needed support come into place!

Feeling stressed? Two free counselling sessions are available to Manitobans ages 16 and over. Call toll-free and book your first appointment today. https://bit.ly/2IRhUFw #Covid19MB

Did you know that you can receive Rent Assist even if you are not receiving Employment and Income Assistance? Join this webinar where a representative from the ...Government of Manitoba’s Rent Assist program will share information and answer questions. When: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Time: 6-7 p.m. Register online at http://seedwinnipeg.ca/ne/entry/non-eia-rent-assist-webinar Community members and service providers are welcome to attend. Call at 431-813-4357 if you require assistance to register.

CMHA IS SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER! This Christmas we are sending out Christmas Cards to local people in the Portage la Prairie area. During these uncertain times that we are all going through, we want to brighten the lives of our seniors. If anyone would like to participate in writing cards with positive messages and Christmas wishes, to make someone's Christmas season a little brighter and bring a smile to their faces. Once you have your Christmas Cards filled out, yo...u can drop them in our mailbox on the front of our building at 102 1st St NW in Portage la Prairie. Or mail them to: CMHA Central Region 102 1st St NW Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1Y9 We look forward to spreading Christmas Cheer with YOU!

Make mental health part of your workplace safety training

Self-compassion is something we all deserve after this year of uncertainty. Learn how to build up your own CMHAs across Canada are offering free #MentalHealth... courses so you can learn skills to improve your wellbeing. Check out the offering today: https://cmha.ca/recovery-college/courses

Come check in with our friends over at Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba as they host weekly peer support groups every Tuesday at 1pm!

Today is Winter Solstice. It is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice is a time to rest, replenish our spirit and grieve. Our local... hospital has recently been declared to have an outbreak of COVID-19. Usually this season is a time of gatherings and celebration while this year we must do what we can to show our love for one another by staying apart and staying safe. Portage Bear Clan is committed to helping those most vulnerable through COVID-19 restrictions. Anyone isolating or in quarantine due to COVID-19 who may also be facing food/financial insecurity can apply for a care package to be delivered to their door this Wednesday. Please email us at [email protected] with your name and address so we can get you on our list. Don't forget to let us know if there are young children in the home as well!

A fantastic resource guide by Sharedhealthmb for our Indigenous friends who are looking for more culturally-inclusive supports!

Join us on February 18th as Pembina Valley Pride hosts our executive director Jake Matheson in a conversation about mental health in the rainbow community! This event is free to attend and everyone is welcome to ask questions, participate, and show their support. Looking forward to seeing you there! https://www.facebook.com/events/188431339730200

With all the unexpected changes brought on by COVID 19, it is not uncommon that many households are finding their finances to be less-than-ideal. With the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre, they can help you gain the skills to manage your way out of debt and even planning ahead for your future. Whatever your financial goals may be, we encourage you to take advantage of this incredible local resource. See below and register for your spot today!

In the Life in Recovery from Addiction in Canada survey led by Canadian Centre on Substance Use / Centre canadien sur les dépendances, 88% of Canadians identifi...ed their relationship with animals or pets as an important support in their recovery from addiction. Don’t have a pet? Connect with therapy dogs online at therapydogs.ca to PAWS Your Stress. See more

Thank you for letting CMHA be a part of your class! Truly a fantastic group of bright and caring educators. Our schools will be so lucky to have them!

Khag Urim Sameakh to all our friends and communities who are celebrating Hanukkah this holiday season! May the new year bring you good health, joy, and success in all of your endeavors

Please help our country understand what we can be doing to prevent youth suicide by completing this brief survey!

A damning new report shows First Nations children in Manitoba are facing inequalities in nearly every socioeconomic factor compared to other children. From heal...th and mental health, to education, family supports, and involvement with the justice system, First Nations children are grappling with a litany of challenges making it much harder to become healthy, thriving adults, the report says. Our Children, Our Future: Health and Well-being of First Nations Children in Manitoba was produced in collaboration with the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, and the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP). It should be distressing and an embarrassment to the citizens of Manitoba how one section of the population is doing so poorly given we live in one of the greatest countries in the world, said Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. ‘We need to increase graduation rates, improve access to preventative care, improve birthing supports and outcomes, improve mental wellness, and decrease violence, and improve the social determinants of health. Comparing First Nations children to other Manitoba children, some of the findings show: First Nations babies are more likely to be born early and larger. First Nations children’s rate of diabetes is 20 times higher. First Nations children’s rate of dental surgery is 28 times higher. Substance abuse disorders among teens are more than five times higher. By Grade 7, First Nations children are twice as likely to be disengaged from school. First Nations children are eight times more likely to witness a crime, and six times more likely to be the victim of a crime. The findings in this report confirm what we know too well in our communities: that centuries of colonization, racism, and economic apartheid have significantly impacted the health and wellness of our people, and especially our children, said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. We need equitable access to equitable services in health care, mental health, education, justice, and social services, and we need it now. Our children our children’s lives are at stake. Additionally, researchers found First Nations children are seven times more likely to be taken into care by the child welfare system, half as likely to graduate high school, and more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.