UPCOMING EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES

 April – June, 2012

Families Caring, Families Sharing 2012 is an ongoing support group for families dealing with mental health issues. The group is facilitated by family members who face the same challenges. The group provides families with coping strategies and provides a support network. The group is held on the 2nd Monday of every month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at  the Canadian Mental Health Association Board Room (Suite 205), 44 King Street (Chelsea Place Building, corner of King & Darling St) Brantford.

The Spring/Summer 2012 schedule is as follows:

- Monday, May 14, 2012

 Monday, June 11, 2012

 Please note: There will be no groups in the months of July & August. Group will begin again on Monday: September 10, 2012.

  For more information, please contact the Canadian Mental Health Association at 519-752-2998, ext. 112, e-mail: lill@cmhabrant.on.ca,  or Pat Buckley, Support Group Coordinator at   519-754-0134. e-mail: familiessupportingfamilies@hotmail.com 

Suicide Bereavement Support Group of Brant A support group for persons who have lost family or friends to suicide. The  group runs the third Wednesday of each month, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Stedman Community Hospice (behind the St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre) on Wayne Gretzky Parkway, Brantford.

The Spring/Summer 2012 schedule is as follows:

-  Wednesday, May 16, 2012

- Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Please note: The group will recess during the months of July & August. Group will begin again on Wednesday, September 19, 2012

For more information, or to register into the group, call 519-752-2998, ext. 112 .

Mental Health Week 2012, May 7-12, 2012  This year, Mental Health Week will be marked in the community the week of May 7-12, 2012. Mental Health Week is a national, annual campaign that takes place during the first week in May to encourage people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. In Brant County, the Mental Health Week Planning Committee, comprised of 20 community agencies, has planned events all week to create an awareness of mental health.

The week will begin with a Kickoff to Mental Health Week on Monday, May 7, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. at the Polish Hall, 154 Pearl Street. All are welcome to attend this event. There will be  presentations, entertainment, agency displays, an art show and sale and refreshments. For more information, or to rsvp to this event, please contact Diane at 519-752-5308, ext. 125 or Lill at 519-752-2998, ext. 112

On Tuesday, May 8^th,  there will be a Breakfast of Champions event at the Greens of Renton. This event is by invitation only, and will be held to celebrate the ongoing work being done between the Grand Erie District School Board, the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and their community partner agencies to support students living with mental illness. There will be a presentation by the “Name it to Change It” group and the keynote speaker will be, Dr. Kathy Short, Ph.D., C. Psych., Director, School Mental Health Awareness, Strategy, Selection & Implementation Support Team (ASSIST). For more information, call Terri Culp at 519-587-2441, ext. 242

On Wednesday, May 9^th, Wellness Wednesday will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the Joseph Brant Learning Centre, 347 Erie Ave. This event will promote good mental health and taking care of ourselves. Presenters will be Dr. Michael Meade, Naturopathic Doctor; Darren Thomas, Relaxation and Meditation; Reflexology Demonstrations by Antastasia Blackey and Gayle Myke. While the parents are de-stressing, there will be activities and fun for children at the same time. There will also be agencies displays and a light dinner. Everyone is welcome at this event. For more information, or to rsvp, call Cynthia at 519-756-2205, ext. 224, or Lill at 519-752-2998, ext. 112

Also, on May 9^th, the Children’s Aid Society of Brant is hosting a neighbourhood, “Mother’s Day Celebration-Rest & Relaxation” event at the Stepping Stones Family Resource Centre, 50 Pontiac Street, Unit 36 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For more information, call Leigh at 519-753-8681, ext. 438.

On Thursday, May 10^th , Six Nations Child & Family Services will be holding a Children’s Mental Health  Family Fun Fair from 5-7 p.m. at the Social Services Gym, 15 Sunrise Court, Ohsweken. There will be agency displays, activities for children, food and beverages. For more information, call Roger Vyse at 519-445-2950.

Also, on Thursday, May 10^th, Children’s Aid Society of Brant will be hosting a neighbourhood Mental Health BBQ & Open House at New Beginnings Family Resource Centre, 359 Darling St. Unit 11 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. For more information call Leigh at 519-753-8618, ext. 438.

On Saturday, May 12 to conclude Mental Health Week, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant County Branch will be hosting, “Rockin’ for Mental Health Awareness” with Teenage Head, at Alexanders on 187 Market Street, Brantford. Tickets are $20. Per person and are available at the following locations in Brantford:

- Alexanders, 187 Market Street; Hips Cycle, 900 Colborne; Kreative Khaos, 98 Colborne; the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant office (8:30-4:30) and all Scotiabank Brantford locations. All proceeds go to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant County Branch. For more information, call Lill at 519-752-2998, ext. 112

For more information on Mental Health Week, visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca  and click on “See all Events”

Thank you to Mental Health Week Planning Committee for all their assistance with 2012 Mental Health Week Planning Committee:

Committee Chairpersons: Flora Ennis, Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services & Lill Petrella, Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant County Branch

Thank You to all Participating Agencies, Mental Health Week 2012 Planning Committee:

Active Grand

Arts After School Kids Program

Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board

Brant Haldimand Norfolk Student Support Leadership Initiative

Brantford Native Housing

Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant County Branch

Children’s Aid Society of Brant

City of Brantford- Ontario Works

Contact Brant

Grand Erie District School Board

Grand Erie Elementary Teachers Federation

Family Counselling Centre of Brant

Grand River Community Health Centre

Katimavik Volunteers

Mohawk College

Nova Vita Domestic Violence Services

Sexual Assault Centre of Brant

Six Nations Child & Family Services

Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services