Ottawa, ON – The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is pleased to join with the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) in promoting mental health recovery at the Nightingale Gala on Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Ottawa’s Shaw Centre. The emcee for this year’s gala will be Shelagh Rogers, CBC Radio host of The Next Chapter.
One of the major themes of the gala — there is no health without mental health — celebrates the achievement of Canada’s 300,000 registered nurses and encourages them to continue to develop initiatives to better promote mental wellness and stresses the need for nurses to take care of their own mental health.
“We have to talk to each other without fear of judgment. Stigma still clings to mental illness – especially in the caring professions where emotional strength is valued so highly,” says Louise Bradley, MHCC President and CEO. “As a former practising nurse, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the role of caregiver and forget to put one’s own health on the agenda.”
The gala is an important lead-up event for National Nursing Week, May 12-18, 2015. As part of the week, the CNF is launching High 5 for Nurses and challenging nurses across the country to give each other a high 5 and donate $5 to CNF in support of nurses.
“Take a moment during the week to think about nurses,” says CNF’s Executive Director, Christine Rieck Buckley. “Consider all the many different times in your life – health or otherwise – where a nurse helped you. If every nurse donated, we would be able to raise $1.5 million for nursing education and research.”
High 5 for Nurses is a social media focused campaign encouraging supporters to text the word “NURSES” to 45678 during the month of May to make a $5 donation. You can also take a picture or video of a creative “high 5” moment and share, tweet or post it to help take the campaign viral.
For more information on the Canadian Nurses Foundation or to join the High 5 for Nurses campaign, visit: http://cnf-fiic.ca/high-5-for-nurses/#.VUPYhflVhBd
For information on MHCC initiatives promoting workplace mental health, visit: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/training/twm/
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we create change. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
ABOUT THE CANADIAN NURSES FOUNDATION
Founded in 1962, the Canadian Nurses Foundation fosters national nursing excellence through the provision of research grants, awards and scholarships. We raise funds for our activities through partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our goals.
www.cnf-fiic.ca
Media Contact:
Glenn Johnson, Senior Media Relations Specialist
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Mobile: 1-613-683-3940
gjohnson@mentalhealthcommission.ca
