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Mental Health Week conference on workplace stress sold out

BY APRIL ANTONIAZZI Practising mind and body fitness is the goal of this year's Mental Health Week. "Your physical fitness affects your mental health and vice versa.

BY APRIL ANTONIAZZI

Practising mind and body fitness is the goal of this year's Mental Health Week.

"Your physical fitness affects your mental health and vice versa.

Working on both is important," said Kerry Lusk of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Sudbury Branch.

The public is encouraged to take part in mental health awareness events put on by various groups in the community during the week of May 1 to 7.

This Monday Cyril Varney's Grade 5/6 class and a group of seniors will showcase their talent at the Interlink concert.

Interlink is an intergenerational choir currently in its 17th year. The  program is put on by the CMHA and allows seniors and students to get to know each other.

Mental Health Week marks the group's annual concert.

"It's a positive, proactive program that empowers people, and you're naturally taking care of your mental health by creating relationships," said Lusk.

The concert will take place at St. Andrew's Place at 7 pm. Donations of $2 will be accepted at the door.

This Tuesday, May 2, the Sudbury & District Health Unit will put on a conference from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm focusing on stress in the workplace. The conference  is sold out.

Rainbow Cinemas will have two showings of Lost in the Woods at 10 am and again at 6 pm Wednesday, May 3. The movie tells the stories of 30 families dealing with the lack of mental  health resources for youth in rural communities.

"The goal of the movie is to gather people from the community for mental  health awareness and to show it's OK to talk about mental illnesses," said Hoi Cheu, film professor at Laurentian University.

One in every six children needs mental health care, explained Cheu.

A researcher who worked on the film, a medical anthropologist and members of health-care organizations will be present at the showings to provide information on the film as well as resources available in Sudbury.

The movie will be of particular interest for youth and youth service providers, explained Lusk.

The Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury Branch is sponsoring a walk on the boardwalk in honour of the late Pat Aitken who was a public educator at the  facility for 12 years.The walk will be held at the boardwalk Thursday, May 4 from 11 am to 1 pm.

"We are dedicating an event to her every year for mental health week," said Lusk.

Aitken suffered from mental illness and was very open about her struggle. Many people do not want to talk about it because mental illness carries a stigma in society.

There will be a conference at the Canadian Hearing Society Friday, May 5 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on  cognitive behaviour therapy. Ron Davis will speak to inpatient and community mental health  and addictions professionals. For information, phone 523-7100, ext. 7271.

The Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes will be held Sunday, May 7. The event is included in Mental Health Week activities because physical and mental well-being go hand in hand.

"It is Sudbury's first marathon in 23 years," said Emily Brigman, development assistant for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

All races except the five-kilometre event require registration before race day.

For registration and information go to www.sudburyrocks.com or register in  person at the running room. Proceeds from the event will stay in northeastern Ontario.

For information on Mental Health Week go to www.cmha.ca .


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