Mental Health Network

The interview I did with UBC’s newspaper, The Ubyssey, is now up!

http://ubyssey.ca/news/mental-health-network-works-to-connect-health-initiatives-at-ubc-495/

Notes:

• I did not create the MHN. It was created by a group of people attending a Mental Health Symposium in 2011, initially spurred on by Occupational Therapy students. It is now run by Ashley and I along with all our group reps.
• Seeking help privately for mental health concerns would quickly exhaust the AMS health plan’s $300 stipend.  Individual appointments with private psychologists can range from $100-$300.
• Counselling Services has (I believe) clinical and counselling psychologists and grad student interns. Not psychiatrists. (Psychiatrists are doctors who have then gone on to specialize in psychiatry and are able to prescribe medication.)
• That’s not me in the picture ! And I would not have chosen it.

Thanks to Karina Palmitesta and The Ubessey for posting the article and giving some coverage to the topic of mental health on campus.

The UBC Parisian Salon is hosting a discussion about mental health this Wednesday, Mar 28th, 5:30pm-7:30pm at Mahony and Sons.

Check out their facebook page for more details.

Description of group:

“Inspired by the Parisian Salons of the 18th and 19th Centuries, the College of Health Disciplines and a group of partners from across UBC aim to foster a ‘culture of intellect’ around the Social Determinants of Health that will enable students to explore concepts that will help prepare them to contribute to the health and wellbeing of society.”

They discuss a different topic each month and for March its Mental Health.

Time: 11:00AM
Location: CSI Small Meeting Room
Attendees: Josh, Ashley, Sarah, Kiran, Shika, Jayne, Trevor; Welcome new members: Alborz (MHAC),  Emily (SASC), Ashley (MHN)
Topics:

1. MHN: Update on e-mental health website to be created by Dr. Krausz (April 28)
2. Wellness Centre: “Stress Less for Exam Success” (April 4)
3. AMS: New hire & Puppy Therapy (April 4)
4. SASC: New resources
5. AUS: No update
6. Healthy minds: “Stress Less” & new website
7. MHAC:
8. K-scope: to continue over the summer
9. Next Meeting

Continue reading »

For their last event of the year, UBC MHAC will be hosting a careers in mental health night!

When: Mar. 21st , 4pm-6pm
Where: Henry Angus Rm 345

We have invited speakers from a variety of different mental health professions to come in and speak about their experiences in practice, training, and education that got them to where they are today. This is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested in a career in the field of mental health and would like to attain more information on the diverse array of options that are available to them.
Continue reading »

Interesting article about some behind the scenes dynamics between the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) and the AMS.

AMS neglected Sexual Assault Support Centre, says resigning coordinator

On Wednesday March 14th the Mental Health Awareness Club will be hosting a movie event, showing ‘Bevel Up.’  The documentary shows how registered nurses working with the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Street Nurse Program provide health care to the people living in the alleys and hotels of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZhVnR3HC8

At the Dodgeson Room, 3rd floor Irving K Barber Learning Centre. Refreshments at 4:30pm, movie starts at 5pm.

Admission Free !

This week we were able to meet with some new volunteers. We are currently looking into expanding our online presence through social media (Twitter and Facebook) as well as continuing on our ever-going adventure to recruit more reps.

We have been in contact with The Sexual Assault Awareness Centre and they will be sending a rep to our next full meeting (last week of March). More details to come soon…. this is an exciting time for us over at MHN.

As always if you have any suggestions or ideas for us don’t hesitate to send us an email at mhnubc@gmail.com.