The latest from
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
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2019 has been an exciting year! Working together with our partners we have continued to make significant advancements in addressing the concerns of those affected by mental illness.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
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Our Organizational Profile
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We are proud to present our new MDSC Organizational Profile which highlights our programs, educational resources, national campaigns, research activities, tools and supports for Canadians. This booklet offers a comprehensive overview of how MDSC is working diligently at developing and providing effective mental health resources for all. We are especially proud of our success in collaborating with partners to reach as many people as possible.
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MDSC awards the 2019 Marg Starzynski Mental Health Leadership Award to Lesley Skelly
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MDSC awards 2019 Jordan James Pickell Award to Durham Talking About Mental Illness Coalition (TAMI)
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Mood Disorders Society of Canada is partnered with Project Trauma Support and the University of Alberta in a research project financially supported by Veterans Affairs Canada. This project is supporting 96 veterans to take the program and investigating the outcomes of military veterans attending the Project Trauma Support program that operates out of Perth, Ontario.
The preliminary findings including outcomes for 60 veterans and 17 active duty military members (these 17 were supported by a grant from the Royal Canadian Legion) were presented in a poster at the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies Forum in Boston on November 14th.
The results show that there was a significant improvement in symptoms of PTSD using four different questionnaires that measure resilience, depression, anxiety and stress, along with general satisfaction.
The overall findings suggest that retreat style programs such as Project Trauma Support can support healing by improving mastery over PTSD symptoms resulting in improved overall well-being and quality of life.
The homelike environment, group therapy and experiential activities offered in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner were appreciated aspects of the program. Moral Injury, Sanctuary Trauma and Military Sexual Trauma are addressed in the Project Trauma Support program and these were appreciated as integral components of effective PTSD and Operational Stress Injury treatments. The short term (6 day), small group, peer driven context helps to normalize the participants’ experiences and lessen their sense of shame, guilt and anger regarding Moral Injury and Sexual Trauma. Social isolation is addressed through improved connections which continue following completion of the program. The graduates felt that the program allowed them to begin a path of post traumatic growth and rekindled their hope for a meaningful life going forward.
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Peer & Trauma Support Services
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This year, we have had 83 participants in our Peer and Trauma Support Systems participate in the two-day English Peer Support Training Workshops.
MDSC’s Peer and Trauma Support Services team is honoured to receive a Bell True Patriot Love Fund grant which is supporting us to provide Peer Support training to veterans.
True Patriot Love Funded Workshops
Peer Support Training Workshops
Toronto (Sharon), ON April 2020
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Toronto (Sharon), ON Sept 2020
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Ottawa (Fitzroy Harbour)May 2020
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Ottawa (Fitzroy Harbour)Oct 2020
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Here are just a few of the comments shared with us by the participants from the workshop experience:
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Excellent info. Well presented. Highly recommended”
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Very positive. Material presented was very good. Would highly recommend this course.”
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Loved the instructors and their lived experience, as well as their professionalism in presenting such sensitive material. You could feel their kindness and empathy and the fact that they cared was transparent. A pleasure to learn from. “
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Excellent program. Long past due.”
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Instructors made their experiences known and helped throughout the course to relate material to life so I will recommend this course.”
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Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is proud to announce a new partnership with MOODIE; a ground-breaking, evidence-based mental health app and innovative behavioural health platform. MOODIE aims to improve mental health services available for youth, adults, and vulnerable populations. The application will assist Canadians wellness maintenance and reduce risk factors associated with the worsening of symptoms. The App is designed to address the reduction of incidences of suicide with an emphasis on people living with mental health challenges in a community setting.
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MDSC is very proud to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Spirit of Trust, an organization dedicated to supporting and standing by those impacted by maltreatment in sport. This partnership will provide educational resources, tools, and programs that will address and support the wide ranging needs of Canadians by connecting expert resources and unique peer-to-peer programs to ensure lasting healing of the victims of harm. This partnership will provide a unique avenue for survivors of maltreatment to heal in a mental health focused environment that aims towards holistic healing.
On Nov 21 and 22, the CEO of The Spirit of Trust attended the Center for Sport and Human Rights
Sporting Chance Conference at the United Nations in Geneva in furtherance of this project. Stakeholders and experts from around the world gathered in Geneva to discuss human rights issues that exist across the world of sport, and shared their experience and knowledge in an effort to address and prevent maltreatment in sport. MDSC is pleased to partner with The Spirit of Trust’s incredibly inspiring and committed group of Canadian sport leaders, trainers and experts. This combination of MDSC programs and support, together with the innovative and survivor led programs of The Circle of Trust, will provide accessible and meaningful mental health resources and solutions to those in need.
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Canadian Educator Conference on Mental Health (CECMH)
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MDSC is pleased to announce that the Canadian Educators Conference on Mental Health, CECMH 2020, will return in the fall of 2020. The conference is scheduled for November 5 and 6th at the International Centre in Mississauga Ontario.
The upcoming conference will include keynote presentations by world renowned leaders on the following topics dealing with youth: Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Addictions, and implementation of supports at the school level. Conference attendees will also attend workshops provided by practicing educators and experts who will share strategies and tools that can be implemented immediately upon their return to work.
This conference continues to provide great insights and information for Educators and Youth Workers from Across Canada. Our previous conference saw over 340 educators, administrators, and mental health professionals gathered to learn more about mental health plus tools and resources that support their efforts.
We look forward to seeing many of you there. Keep an eye on our website for more details and registration information at
www.cecmh.ca
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Quick Facts on Mental Illness & Addiction in Canada
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With over 2.6 million visitors to our website, (500 visitors a day),
depressionhurts.ca is a very valuable resource for persons impacted by depression as well as their families, caregivers and health care providers. Offering information in four languages, this website has in-depth information, tools and supports. MDSC is very proud to provide these resources, tools and supports. Please visit the website today and share with family and friends.
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Mental Health Research Canada partners with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada
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Mood Disorders Society of Canada is very pleased to announce that Mental Health Research Canada has partnered with us to work together on mental illness priorities, with a focus on advancing evidence-based mental health research that is problem-solving, cost-effective and usable in the real world.
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NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
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The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) Youth Advisory Council is a network of students from colleges and universities across the country, aimed at engaging young adults in discussions and developing and sharing resources for issues surrounding mental health
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Elephant In The Room (EITR)
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The Elephant In The Room anti-stigma campaign is an international success which Mood Disorders Society of Canada created in 2006. Since that time, hundreds of large corporations, workplaces, health providers, agencies, government departments, colleges, universities and schools have successfully implemented the program to eliminate stigma.
EITR continues to be a very valuable resource for Canadians and when you partner with MDSC, we personalize the campaign to your organization. We have recently implemented EITR at Red River College, the Durham Catholic District school board and have shipped our shared our anti stigma campaign with Japan.
To implement this incredible anti-stigma campaign visit our EITR website today at:
eitr.mdsc.ca and follow us on Twitter:
@MDSC_Elephant
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Canadians for Equitable Access To Depression Medication (CEADM)
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MDSC is pleased to be co-chair for Canadians for Equitable Access to Depression Medications (CEADM) which continues to advocate for equitable access to innovative depression medications in Canada. It is crucial for all Canadians that need medication to be able to have the access they need to recover from mental illness and to maintain their wellness.
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The national Defeat Depression campaign had one of the best years yet with record attendance and funds raised at our events across Canada. Supporters are getting involved and raising funds to support mental health organizations and services in their local communities. Join the campaign at
www.defeatdepression.caMDSC works with communities to set up events from coast to coast. If there is not yet an event in your community, contact us today and we will work with you to develop an organizing committee. Raise funds for your community, bring people together to tackle depression and mental illness, and show you care.
We have raised over $2,000,000 for community mental health in Canada.
We gratefully thank all of our 2019 participants who took part and raised funds, our generous donors, and our incredible national sponsors including, our Title Sponsor Vale, our Presenting Sponsor Lundbeck Canada Inc., our supporting sponsors VIA Rail Canada, Innovative Medicines Canada, Depressionhurts.ca and Webs9!
We currently have sponsorship opportunities available. If your organization would like to take a stand to support mental health, contact us today.
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support #mentalhealth near you!
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Congratulations to Brittany Collinge of Uxbridge, ON who is the winner of the $13,000 2019 VIA Rail Travel Prize!
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2020 Event Planning Has Started
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Although 2020 has yet to arrive we have already started planning events including many new locations. Be sure to visit
DefeatDepression.ca and follow us of Social Media to get the latest news.
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Follow Defeat Depression on Social Media
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Thank you for your support!
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Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is proud to announce a new national fundraising campaign, called Move for Mental Health (M4MH).
This campaign is designed specifically for College / University Students, such as student unions and clubs, Individuals & Groups who wish to raise funds for mental health. The funds raised by the M4MH campaign will go to support youth programs, resources and initiatives spearheaded by MDSC – to help youth with mental illness and their families.
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Regardless of your existing public or private health coverage, innoviCares allows you to receive the brandname medications and healthcare products prescribed by your physician at an equal, or similar price to the generic alternative(s).
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Did you know you can create a fundraiser in facebook? Click on the image above and choose
“Mood Disorders Society of Canada”
as the non-profit to support. If you need help email
support@mdsc.ca.
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This holiday season consider providing a gift that will help those impacted by mental illness. Support our efforts in delivering the wide range of programs and services and wellness promotion and education. Please make a tax deductible charitable donation to MDSC and help us in our ongoing work.
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