Kaiser Foundation - National Awards for Excellence

The National Awards for Excellence Program is supported by the Kaiser Foundation, Federal and Provincial governments and other national partners in order to recognize the selfless and outstanding work of individuals and organizations across Canada who are reducing the harm associated with addictive behaviour, substance use and mental health issues through their leadership, new ideas, research and education.

There are seven award categories for which Canadians can be nominated:

* Excellence in Public Policy
* Excellence in Community Programming
* Excellence in Aboriginal Programming
* Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use Programming
* Excellence in Leadership
* Excellence in Youth Leadership
* Excellence in Media Reporting

Each of the award recipients receives a $10,000 grant to be given to a recognized charity of their choice. The winners and a guest are provided with accommodation and airfare to the host city (Calgary in 2008) to attend the awards ceremony.

Closing for the 2008 National Awards for Excellence is November 16, 2007.

For more information, please see the Call for Nominations.

CBC Passionate Eye Documentary on Using Comedy to Fight Mental Illness and Stigma

Cracking Up is a life-affirming documentary about people with mental illness who embark on a quirky quest to become stand up comics. The film follows 11 courageous people who suffer from mental illness as they pursue a year of stand up comedy. Part fun and part therapy, the course, entitled Stand Up For Mental Health is the brainchild of Vancouver counselor, stand-up comic, and author of The Happy Neurotic: How Fear and Angst Can Lead To Happiness and Success David Granirer. "It's like 'The Full Monty' except people want us to keep our clothes on", he says.

Doing stand-up comedy has had an amazing effect on the people in the course. For the first time in their lives, they have embraced the word crazy, and learned to laugh at their mental illness - and their audiences are laughing right along with them. They have discovered a talent they never dreamt they had.

Airs nationally on August 30 at 9 p.m. On CBC's Doc Zone. For more information http://www.standupformentalhealth.com

Going Green for Mental Health

The environment, being green - it's all over the news and a big topic of conversation.

I had always thought of myself as environmentally-friendly, but with all the commotion lately, I've felt the urge to make further improvements.

Something as simple as walking to the store for groceries, instead of driving, will greatly reduce impact on air quality. Plus, the behaviour provides great benefits to one's physical and mental health. For me, I find the simple act of changing a behaviour into a more positive one makes me feel better. Furthermore, getting fresh air, a little sun, and exercise from the process are added bonuses.

During my shopping excursion, I purchased canvas/cloth grocery bags from my local Loblaws/Superstore for 99 cents each. I now have half a dozen bags to carry my food home more easily (without the stretching and ripping of plastic). An added bonus to my mental health: putting an end to the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic bags stuffed under my kitchen sink which annoyingly fall out when I open the cupboard.

Other little things you can do to improve the environment and reap the benefits toward better mental health:

-reduce transportation emissions from buying local produce and derive a warm, fuzzy feeling from improving your own community / local economy
-instead of sending items to the landfill, donate used clothes and furniture to a local charity or second-hand shop
-turn off lights and electronics when not in use, not only will the environment thank you so will your mental health when you see that your monthly bills are lowered

How are you helping the environment? What have you tried? Do you notice any benefits toward your mental health, direct or indirect?

I am interested in hearing everyone's comments.

Local: Well done Heather Hennigar

Thank you Heather for your enlightening four-part piece, Diary of Depression, published in the Ottawa Citizen. The act of sharing your story provides hope to those who are suffering and promotes the de-stigmatization of mental illness. Well done!