Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is working with community partners to address gaps in mental health programs in Ottawa on the heels of the 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. The mental health portion of the survey, conducted during the 2010/11 school year, found that one in three Ottawa students in grades 7 to12 reported elevated levels of psychological distress, over a quarter had been bullied on school property, and 12 per cent considered suicide in the past year. “Momentum to address mental health and prevent suicide in our community continues to build, and the results of this survey make it clear much more can be done,” said Dr. Isra Levy, Medical Officer of Health. “That’s why Ottawa Public Health, along with partners such as the Youth Services Bureau, Le Centre psychosocial and the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, is continuing its efforts to address gaps in mental health programs and services, particularly for children and youth.”Supporting the Youth Services Bureau’s Youth Mental Health Walk-in Clinic, working with Ottawa-area school boards to increase resiliency and coping skills in youth through the Healthy Transitions program and partnering with Crossroads Children’s Centre and Centre Psychosocial to screen children for potential developmental, mental, social, and emotional issues before they start school are just some of the services OPH is proud to help deliver.“Partnering with Ottawa Public Health has allowed the YSB to support more youth and their families in times of need,” said Joanne Lowe, Executive Director, Youth Services Bureau. “The results of this survey clearly show Ottawa’s children and youth need this kind of coordinated community support.”OPH will be providing a full update on its strategy to promote mental health and prevent suicide among children and youth to the Board of Health at its next meeting, which will take place at City Hall in the Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West on August 20, 2012 at 5 p.m. They will be joined by representatives from the Youth Services Bureau and Le Centre Psychosocial.“The inclusion of Francophone specific mental health resources and programs in Ottawa Public Health’s Mental Health Strategy is significant,” said Guy Bouchard, Clinical Director of Le Centre Psychosocial. “Ottawa Public Health understands the Francophone culture and community, and has targeted mental health programs to meet these needs. We value our partnership with OPH and look forward to continuing our work together to serve Francophone children in this community for years to come.” Background:What is the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey?The survey has been conducted every two years since 1977 and features a random sample of students in grades 7 through 12, enrolled in Ontario’s public and separate school systems. Thanks to additional funding from OPH, a representative sample of 1,015 Ottawa students completed the survey in 2011. More data sets, including alcohol, drug and tobacco use, healthy eating active living and gambling will be released by OPH in the coming weeks and monthsMental Health, Youth Climate and Bullying Among Youth – Full report 2012Mental Health, Youth Climate and Bullying Among Youth - Summary (Youth Facts) 2012To learn more about the Ottawa data and mental health promotion and suicide prevention programming and services for children and youth, visit ottawa.ca/healthreports or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with OPH on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth) for the latest public health information. read more..
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre-Medical Officer Of Health-Mental Health Programs
Monday, 4 June 2012
Positive Mental Health-Mental Health Issue
Our mental health is a crucial determinant of our overall health, yet we often do not talk about it. But with the help of prominent figures like Clara Hughes, Daniel Alfredsson, and Margaret Trudeau, the importance of talking about mental health openly and directly is coming out of the shadows. We all know someone who has been affected by a mental health issue, so let’s play our part to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health and well-being. Attaining positive mental health is something that we can all strive to achieve. Here are 10 easy tips we can all use to help us attain this:
- Make time for Family and Friends
- Eat healthy and Exercise
- Enjoy hobbies
- Set personal goals
- Share humour
- Volunteer
- Create a meaningful budget
- Give and accept support
- Learn ways to cope with negative thoughts
- Build self confidence.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Physical Activity-Ottawa Residents-Nutritious Food-Healthy Choices-Healthy Eating
On May 7, 2012 the Ottawa Board of Health approved a three-year Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) strategy in order to help residents make healthier choices about food and physical activity. The strategy is supported by community and municipal partners, and focuses on three determinants of healthy weights: poor nutrition, inactivity and the societal pre-occupation with weight.“We are aware that our residents are not eating enough vegetables and fruit, that they are not getting enough exercise and that the settings Ottawa residents live, learn, work and play in do not consistently support Healthy Choices and behaviours,” said Councillor Diane Holmes, Chair of the Board of Health. “The implementation of the HEAL strategy will support residents to eat healthy, be active and maintain a healthy body image.”[[MORE]]Increasing access to nutritious food, nutrition skills, active transportation and physical activity will remain strategic priorities of Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and the Board of Health.In the short-term, OPH will focus on:
- Reducing consumption of foods that lack nutritional value and are high in calories and sodium, and increasing access to healthier foods;
- Increasing physical activity and active transportation; and
- Dispelling myths and biases around obesity by changing social and physical environments.
Ottawa Public Health 2011 Annual Report
Healthy Eating, Active Living and Healthy Weights, 2012 read more..
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Festivals
May is a great time to discover the Capital’s many festivals. Walk, bike, or in-line skate to the Tulip Festival. read more..
Monday, 7 May 2012
Ottawa Public Library-Physical Health-Type 2 Diabetes-Bike Trails
Over the last 25 years, many of our daily routines have become less and less active. In fact, 68% of Canadian men and 69% of women spend the majority of their waking hours sitting, an average of 9 hours a day. Think about your daily work routine and add-up the hours. Does it take a long time to drive into office? Is it a series of meetings or long stretches in front of a computer screen? Being physically active is good for your mental and physical health, it reduces your risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and breast and colon cancers. [[MORE]]Employers are starting to encourage more physical activity in the workplace. They see the benefits of good health for their employees, the environment, and they see increased productivity, less absenteeism, and fewer injuries. One way workplaces can help is encourage employees biking or walking to work. Why not talk with your boss about starting such a program. It will change your day and your co-workers. Here are a few things to consider:
- Contact the EnviroCentre to find out more or even plan a Bike to Work program in your workplace
- Racks for locking up bikes
- Facilities for lockers and showers or somewhere close-by to use like a gym
- Maps posted of the local bike trails and footpaths
- Support groups to set up a buddy system for walking or biking to work
- Information for travel planning and being safe
- Information on bus routes for co-workers who wish to use the bus as well as walking and biking
- Borrow a pedometer from any branch of Ottawa Public Library and to motivate yourself and your colleagues by counting steps.
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Support Children-Mental Health
Sunday, May 6, support children’s mental health and take part in “Walk so Kids can Talk.” Learn how you can get involved read more..
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board-Community Foundation Of Ottawa-Ottawa Schools
Walking matters!Ottawa Public Health’s Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Vera Etches, participated in the Winter Walk to School Day on Feb. 13. The annual Winter Walk to School Day and the partnership between the City of Ottawa, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Community Foundation of Ottawa and Heart and Stroke Foundation helps promote sustainable forms of transportation to school - such as walking and cycling - for increased physical activity, improved student and environmental well-being. Ottawa Public Health has worked with community partner Green Communities Canada (GCC) to support the implementation of the School Travel Planning (STP) project in Ottawa schools. STP is a community-based program which applies a process that has been used with success in other cities and countries to increase the number of children and their parents choosing to walk and cycle to and from school.Every February, Winter Walk to School Day is marked by schools and municipalities across Canada and around the globe to raise awareness of the benefits and ease of walking to school, even during winter. The Ottawa project was introduced to ten schools (eight elementary, two secondary) in 2009-2011. In 2011-2013, it will expand to an additional eight elementary and six secondary schools. For more ideas to get you moving, visit ottawa.ca/health read more..