MDSC News

MDSC Honours Veterans

November 11th, 2023|

Belleville, ON – November 11th, 2023 We recognize and honour the brave men and women who have fought selflessly for our freedom. We also acknowledge the deep emotional and psychological scars that many Veterans, and [...]

MDSC Statement on First Ministers’ Meeting

February 8th, 2023|

MDSC is pleased to see that one of the government’s main priorities for improving the health care system in Canada includes improving access to quality mental health and substance use services after yesterday’s First Ministers’ [...]

MDSC and the MIRA team are pleased to announce that MHRC has awarded MIRA with a MHRC- Knowledge Institute Partners for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health Research 2022-2023 Industrial Post-Doctoral Fellowship!

August 16th, 2022|

Toronto, ON. Tuesday August 16, 2022 MDSC and the MIRA team are pleased to announce that Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) has awarded MIRA with a MHRC- Knowledge Institute Partners for Child, Youth & Family [...]

  • Workplace Mental Health Strategies in a Post-Pandemic World

Workplace Emerging Best Practices

February 23rd, 2022|

Read Report As Omicron and other COVID variants impact the workplace landscape, research-based insights are increasingly critical to workplace wellness strategies. The new research paper sponsored by Mood Disorders Society of Canada and Mental [...]

Survey – Share Your Experiences with Sleep

September 21st, 2021|

Belleville, ON. September 21, 2021 Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) and our national and regional partners are interested in better understanding the viewpoints and experiences of Canadians and their Sleep. This MDSC national survey [...]

Mindfulness

August 9th, 2021|

Mood Disorders Society of Canada continues to add to our COVID-19 and mental health knowledge base that is available to Canadians to access through our website and social media streams. They provide coping strategies [...]

Slay The Toxic Dragon

July 30th, 2021|

Brad McKay, Barbara Anschuetz, and Syd Gravel are pleased to announce that “Slay The Toxic Dragon – Police Leadership Impacting Member Wellness” has now been released in print and e-format from your favourite book stores [...]

Canal Pursuit for Mental Health Seventh Annual 750km Run

July 26th, 2021|

BELLEVILLE, ON July 22, 2021 - Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) today extends an invitation to Canadians to again support the Defeat Depression Campaign through donations and sponsorship as Clay Williams leads the Seventh [...]

  • An illustrated graphic outlining the steps for a grounding technique to cope with anxiety. A cartoon person sits on the floor of a living room. They have short hair and are wearing a blue coat. Their knees are slightly pulled in to their chest and their feet on the floor. They have causally wrapped their arms around their knees and they are smiling. Around them, various text bubbles outline the steps to the grounding exercise. The text reads: "First, focus on your breathing. Take deep, slow, long breaths. 5 - Name 5 things you can see. A pen, the floor, anything in your surroundings. 4: Name four things you can touch. It could be a pillow, a chair, the ground, or the bed you're sitting on. 3: Name three things you can hear. Try to focus on things outside your body like cars driving by. 2: Name 2 things you can smell. This could be a candle you have burning or the smell of nature from an open window. 1: Name one thing you can taste. It could be the gum you were just chewing or the coffee you were drinking."

Grounding Technique for Anxiety

July 14th, 2021|

Mood Disorders Society of Canada continues to add to our COVID-19 and mental health knowledge base that is available to Canadians to access through our website and social media streams. They provide coping strategies [...]

  • A cartoon image of a green sprout is growing from a small mound of brown dirt at the bottom of the image. Above the plant various text bubbles describe different aspects of resilience. Text reads: "Resilience is the ability to bound back, adapts, and recover after trauma, tragedy, adversity, or significant sources of stress. This could include bouncing back in four different ways: Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Spiritual. Our capacity for resilience may grow from managing stressful events. Building supports: reflect on how we can give and receive support from friends, family, and colleagues. Managing Stress: Spot the signs like changes to sleeping or eating and increased tobacco, alcohol, or substance use. Restoring Balance: Consider what health routines look like for you for nutrition, sleep, and physical activity. Learning resilience: By adopting a positive growth-mindset our brains may actually adapt with us.

Resilience

July 8th, 2021|

Mood Disorders Society of Canada continues to add to our COVID-19 and mental health knowledge base that is available to Canadians to access through our website and social media streams. They provide coping strategies [...]

Defeat Depression Day is May 29th 2021

May 26th, 2021|

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the world including Canadians have experienced a dramatic increase in mental health challenges. Depression, anxiety, and suicide rates are all on the rise, and frontline mental health workers are experiencing a [...]

2017

Sept 26, 2016: Veterans Affairs Canada Minister Kent Hehr was in Toronto to officially launch the Transitions to Communities program on behalf of the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour at the Royal Canadian Military Institute. The launch event was well attended by veterans and local and national leaders.
Read More…

2016

Feb 9, 2016: The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recently launched a new letter writing campaign on; www.Demandaplan.ca. During the last election, campaign supporters sent more than 40,000 letters to candidates across the country. Thank you partners for your support! The more we unite and voice concern, the likelier political leaders are to take action.

Feb 3, 2016: The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is pleased to announce that the group’s 2015 advocacy campaign has been recognized among the best in the world by New York based PR News Magazine.
Read More…

Feb 1, 2016: MDSC is very proud to announce that the Students’ Association of Keyano College @KeyanoSA, Facebook has partnered with MDSC on our internationally recognized Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign.
Read More (PDF)…

Jan 22, 2016: Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund is now receiving applications. Bell today announced the launch of the $1-million annual Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund for 2016. Applications are now being accepted for grants for community-based mental health initiatives improving access to care around the country.

2015

Oct 26, 2015: MDSC President, John Starzynski, Presents Clay Williams with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, Marg Starzynski Award for Mental Health Leadership. Clay, through the record setting Canal Pursuit run this year, exemplified personal dedication and leadership. Gaining strength from the personal experiences within his family, Clay and the Canal Pursuit team have greatly increased awareness of mental health issues, and have rallied the running community and engaged so many people to make change and to talk about mental illness. Our most sincere congratulations and appreciation to Clay and his team.

Oct 13, 2015: MDSC to speak on the scope and impact of mental health in the workplace, including suggestions for reduc­ing presenteeism. Practical tips for a supportive workplace environment at the 8th Annual Ottawa Pathways Symposium on Health, Education and the Bottom Line Conference in Ottawa.

Oct 2, 2015: We are happy to announce that St Francis Xavier University Student`s Union has partnered with us on the implementation of the Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign, raising awareness about mental illness in their community by posting EITR posters at their local school.

Oct 1, 2015: We are happy to announce that Rocky Lake Junior High School has partnered with us on the implementation of the Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign, raising awareness about mental illness in their community by posting EITR posters at their local school.

Sept 28, 2015: We are happy to announce that Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) at Trent University has partnered with us on the implementation of the Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign, raising awareness about mental illness in their community by posting EITR posters at their local university.

Sept 24, 2015: MDSC Associate National Executive Director addresses opening ceremonies at the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) in Vancouver this morning. Mental health leaders from 8 countries have come together to accelerate change toward mental health, well-being and inclusion.

Sept 22, 2015: George Cope, President and CEO of Bell announces that Bell Let’s Talk will continue for another 5 years and they will add another $50 million to their efforts. This brings Bell’s total commitment to mental health to $100 million.

July 22, 2015: Clay Williams speaks to AM900 CHML host Ted Michaels about his upcoming 750K run for Defeat Depression. Read More…

May 5, 2015: Blue Elephants Help Fight Stigma at Mount Allison University.
Read More…

Apr 21, 2015: The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health congratulates the government on Funding announcements for Mental Health Organizations, Research and Services.

Apr 4, 2015: Mood Disorders Society of Canada and partners host the very first Canadian Educators Conference on Mental Health in Ottawa April 23 & 24th.

Mar 30, 2015: CAMIMH Announces the 2015 Champions of Mental Health Award Recipients.

Jan 21, 2015: A former 911 operator diagnosed with PTSD aims to help prevent other operators in Canada from going through the same experience.
Read More…

Jan 5, 2015: Bell Let’s Talk Day 2015 is January 28: Join the national conversation about mental health!
Read More (PDF)…

2014

Apr 29, 2014: CAMIMH Seeks Nominations for the 12th Annual Faces of Mental Illness Campaign.

Mar 4, 2014: Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk gets ready to roll in support of Canadian mental health.

Jan 16, 2014: The Canadian Research and Intervention Network (CDRIN) is holding a conference in Ottawa

March 26 & 27, 2014: The theme is: ‘Transforming Depression through Connections.’ Visit CDRIN for more info.

Jan 16, 2014: The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health acknowledges a successful year of Workplace Mental Health.

2013

Dec 17, 2013: MDSC’s new workpalce wellness program for depression and arthritis, Work With Us, featured on Voice Amercia, Family Caregivers Unite.
Read More…

Oct 11, 2013: Surgeon General Releases New Mental Health Strategy for Canadian Armed Forces.

Aug 1, 2013: CAMIMH Announces the Faces of Mental Illness for 2013 campaign.

July 30, 2013: The Canadian Medical Association released the What Makes us Sick Report today based on what Canadians said during a series on town hall meetings and an online consultation earlier this year.

May 10, 2013: Nominations are now open for the Faces of Mental Ilness Campaign.

May 6, 2013: Champions Dinner and Awards Gala, Chateau Laurier, Ottawa.
View Photos, Read More…

Apr 25, 2013: Bell announces Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk, a national bicycle tour by Clara Hughes in support of mental health that begins in March 2014 and spans more than 100 days, 12,000 kilometres and every province and territory of Canada. The ride culminates on Canada Day, July 1 2014, in Ottawa.

Apr 8, 2013: CAMIMH announces the winners of the Champions of Mental Health Awards for 2013.

Mar 15, 2013: Emily Maguire seeking sponsorships to help her release her new album “Bird in a Cage”. Emily provided the antham song for the Defeat Depression Campaign.

Feb 15, 2013: The first edition of CSA Z1003/BNQ 9700-803, Psychological health and safety in the workplace – Prevention, promotion, and guidance to staged implementation is now available.
Read More…

Feb 5, 2013: Be sure to join Bell’s Let’s Talk initiative on February 12. Bell will donate 5¢ to mental health initiatives for every: Text message sent and long distance call made by Bell customers, Tweet using #BellLetsTalk, and Facebook shares of the Bell Let’s Talk image.

Jan 30, 2013: Contact your MP and ask him/her to support Bill C-400 on February 27, 2013. Bill C400: Creating a National Housing Strategy.

Jan 21, 2013: “52 Ways to Beat Depression Naturally” was released on “Blue Monday”. Written by Toronto Psychotherapist Nicole McCance.

Jan 17, 2013: The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) supports the new Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Standard announced on January 16, and encourages employers to adopt its principles.

Jan 16, 2013: The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), and CSA Group launched the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

Jan 16, 2013: The universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge will each receive $3M in grant funding over 3 years to expand campus mental health services and develop models of care that can be used on campuses across Alberta.

Jan 15, 2013: The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) invites nominations for the Champions of Mental Health Awards for 2013, closing March 1, 2013.

Jan 8, 2013: Mark your calendar for the Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference to be held in Montreal on June 27 and 28, 2013.

2012

Dec 6, 2012: OHA is offering a webcast called “Stop the Stigma: The Face of Depression” on December 10 from 12:00 – 1:30pm. Get all the details.

Oct 19, 2012: Join a townhall discussion entitled “Mental Health 101: Youth and the Hidden Crisis in our Community” sponsored by CBC Hamilton on Wed., October 24, 2012 at McIntyre Performing Arts Centre, Mohawk College. 135 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton ON. Doors open at 7PM.

Oct, 2012: Five Canadians whose messages speak so clearly to their lived experiences with mental illness were selected for CAMIMH’s 10th annual Faces of Mental Illness campaign.
Read More (PDF)…

Oct 1, 2012: Mark your calendar to attend the Summit on Sustainable Health and Health Care. Tuesday October 30 – Wednesday October 31 2012 • Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel • Toronto, Ontario.

Sept 26, 2012: A concert event “Rock for Mental Health” is being held in Halifax on October 4 as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week. Sept: Two “Move for Mental Health” events are being held on Sunday, September 30, 2012 as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week. These events are affiliated with the MDSC Defeat Depression Campaign.
Read More (PDF)…

Sept 21, 2012: Article in the Hamilton Spectator about COPE, a mental health initiative at McMaster University.

Sept 6, 2012: OHA and MDSC invite you to attend a free webcast series “Stop the Stigma” The first in the series is on Sept 12 12-2pm.

May 29, 2012: The Hurting Profession: Lawyers in Crisis. Article by Canadian Law Association magazine National Apr-May Edition about lawyers becoming stressed sick and succumbing to depression, addictions and burnout.

May 12, 2012: Garry Laws, executive director of the Mental Health Support Network of South Eastern Ontario, displays herd of foam-rubber Stigma elephants at the network’s office in Belleville, Ont.
Read More (PDF)…

May 8, 2012: The Mental Health Commission of Canada releases “Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The first mental health strategy for Canada”.

Apr 20, 2012: The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) announces the winners of the tenth annual national Champions of Mental Health Awards. Photos of the event: Facebook, Flickr.
Read More (PDF)…

Mar 15, 2012: The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is launching its tenth annual Champions of Mental Health Awards and seeking nominations from members of the public until March 31st, 2012.

Feb 9, 2012: Bell Let’s Talk Day on February 8, 2012 was a success.

Jan 23, 2012: A National Survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports 45.9 million (or 20%) American adults aged 18 or older experienced mental illness in the past year.

Jan 19, 2012: Bell Let’s Talk Day announced for Wednesday February 8, 2012.

Jan 16, 2012: David Granirer, Founder of “Stand Up For Mental Health” will be doing a stand up comedic “Webinar” on Jan 19 from 11-12:30 Pacific Time, 2:00 pm-3:00pm Eastern Time.
Read More (PDF)…

Jan 13, 2012: CMA announces that 14 patient advocacy groups have endorsed the joint CMA-CNA principles to guide the transformation of the health care system.

Jan 10, 2012: Government of Canada Seeks Feedback Regarding Employment of Persons with Disabilities: Paid Research Interviews. Now closed.

Jan 6, 2012: Plan to attend the 4th Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (CDPAC) conference “Integrated Chronic Disease Prevention: It Works!” in Ottawa, February 7-10, 2012.
Read More (PDF)…

Jan 5, 2012: Plan to attend the 2nd National Mental Health Conference “Mental Health Disorders: Challenges With Youth, Aboriginal Communities & the Criminal Justice System” in Winnipeg, March 14-15, 2012. MDSC is a proud supporter of this event.

Jan 5, 2012: Plan to attend the 5th International Stigma Conference “Together Against Stigma: Changing how we see mental illness” in Ottawa.

2011

Dec 21, 2011: “Out like a light: SAD and the winter blues”.

Dec 19, 2011: Holiday wishes from MDSC Dec 13: New partnership btwn Facebook and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “…offering an opportunity for a private chat with a trained crisis representative from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline in addition to providing the Lifeline’s phone number.”
Read More…

Dec 2, 2011: MDSC makes live-broadcasted presentation on Mental Illness in the Workplace to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDA).
Read More (English PDF)…, Read More (French PDF)…

Nov 16, 2011: E-news for November is up.

Nov 16, 2011: MDSC unveils a pan-Canadian Defeat Depression Campaign and announces May 27, 2012 as Defeat Depression Day in Canada.
More details…

Nov 15, 2011: MDSC sends letter to all provincial and territorial Health Ministers, urging them to bring mental illness to the forefront as they work towards the 2014 health care accord.
Read News Release (PDF)…, Read Letter (PDF)…

Nov 10, 2011: MDSC quoted in article in Esperanza Magazine regarding the reluctance of men to seek help with mental health issues.
Read More…

Nov 4, 2011: “Mental health, the poor stepchild of medical care”, CMA townhall told.

Nov 3, 2011: LINC Study needs your input! If you, or your child has a neurological condition, please participate in their survey (closes Dec 31).
Read More (PDF)…

Nov 2, 2011: The “Going Blue 4 U” awareness campaign is in full swing putting a colourful spin on “The Blues”.
Read More (PDF)…

Oct 26, 2011: MDSC hosts roundtable on PTSD at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, entitled “Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind”.
Read More (PDF)..

Oct 18, 2011: MDSC partners with Family Services EAP Thames Valley in a workplace mental health breakfast series.

Oct 3, 2011: CBC talks to students about depression and suicide.
Read More…

Sept 22, 2011: MDSC partners with COPE to bring Elephant in the Room Campaign to McMaster University.
View Video, Read More…

Sept 13, 2011: TSN host Michael Landsberg writes about his depression and his friend, NHL player Wade Belak.

Aug 30, 2011: MDSC invites Canadians to participate in an online survey to have a say in the Mental Health Care System in Canada.

Aug 19-26, 2011: CBC Radio Edmonton is running a series throughout the week called “Coming Out: Edmontonians Living with Depression”.

Aug 19, 2011: MDSC E-News Update for August is now available.

Aug 12, 2011: MDSC files pre-budget brief to Government of Canada outlining recommendations for improving mental health services.
Read More (PDF)…

Aug 10, 2011: CMA announces “Canadians See ‘Moral Imparative’ to Fix Health Care System”.

June 20, 2011: York University’s Project Hope seeks participants for study on developing personal strengths and emotional well-being.
Read More (PDF)…

June 11-12, 2011: FORUM: Keeping It Together: Mental Health across the Continuum of Care, Toronto.

June, 2011: CrossCurrents magazine is seeking your response to a survey by June 17, 2011.
Read More (PDF)…

June, 2011: “Start Over Again”: A touching testimonial by singer/songwriter Emily Maquire of the UK, who talks about her ongoing struggle with bi-polar disorder.

Feb 10, 2011: Mood Disorders Association Of Manitoba is presenting Mental Health Disorders: Challenges in the Workplace, Aboriginal Communities & the Criminal Justice System Conference; March 22-25, 2011 Winnipeg MB.

Jan 24, 2011: CTV News: One out of every four students who visits a university health centre for a routine medical problem has the signs of depression.

2010

Dec 29, 2010: Anti-stigma Report released: “Ending Stigma and Discrimination, and Achieving Parity in Mental Health: A Physician Perspective.”

Dec, 2010: Save the date: 12th Annual Shared Care Conference in Halifax, June 23-25, 2011.

Dec 15, 2010: Health Council of Canada report on how health disparities play a role in health system costs.

Dec 13, 2010: Canadian Medical Association unveils healthcaretransformation.ca, where Canadians can go online to share their views on health care.

Dec 1, 2010: Mind Your Mind creates ‘Tree of Life’, a multi-lingual web-interactive tool to help reflect on self-care needs and goal planning.

Nov 30, 2010: Thank you from the Bluewave Foundation for continued support.
Read more

Nov 2, 2010: B.C. releases report, “Health Minds, Healthy People”.

Oct, 2010: Best Health Article released: “8 Signs You May Be Suffering From Depression”.

Sept 21, 2010: Bell announces a multi-year charitable program to support mental health across Canada.