Rising Rates of Suicide include Nurses at 400% higher Frequency

By Joshua Mansour, M.D.

Since May being is Mental Health Awareness Month, Senator Maureen Walsh’s recent words may have shed even more light on a larger issue in healthcare.  

In the recent wake of Senator Walsh’s comments suggesting nurses “play cards” at work, there has been more data regarding how “overworked” and “overwhelmed” healthcare providers actually are, contrary to what some outside of the industry may think.  After spending years of their lives working selflessly towards helping others, it is understandable that many in the profession took these comments personally, no matter how they were meant to be portrayed.  These words can inevitably affect how one perceives themselves.  Although discussing mental health can be seen to be taboo in society today, in the midst of May being mental health awareness month there could not be a more opportune time to address these concerns.  

The words of what others think about an essential part of the healthcare team brought to light several questions about how nurses and other healthcare providers are perceived and in conclusion the various hardships that they actually face. In addition to high demands, stress, long hours, lack of sleep, and decreasing resources, public comments of ungratefulness makes things even worse. Unappreciation for the selfless efforts given by not only nurses but all healthcare professionals may be contributing to the depression of these workers in the United States.  

Suicide rates are rising currently in every state and continue to rise among healthcare workers. 

Nurses are actually four times more likely to commit suicide than people working outside of medicine.  In addition to that, it is found that one doctor commits suicide in the United States every single day.  These statistics put healthcare workers at the highest suicide rate of any profession and overall more than double that of the general population.  

Furthermore, there are stressors and factors that may be more exclusive to the healthcare system: those of fear of harming patients, emotional hardships with particular patients, difficult clinical situations, and death at the workplace.  These may have an added impact on the typical work and home stressors.  Comments such as those made by the Senator can then lead to feeling a lack of purpose in life, feeling of incompetence, and feeling unappreciated for work.  This is all on top of stressors that others in a variety of jobs may feel, including management issues, work volume, staffing, home stressors (marriage, children, grief, financial strains).  

Protective measures must be taken to help combat these issues.  There can always be improvement, and based on recent comments and statistics, there must.  Healthcare staff feeling unheard or feeling as if they don’t belong is a travesty.  These feelings in your workgroup, in addition to a feeling of unappreciation, are what healthcare workers identify as some of the strongest risk factors linked with depression and suicide in healthcare.

It is uplifting to see that some hospitals have worked towards improving mental health and support for their staff.  For example, University of California San Diego has the Healer, Education, Assessment, and Referral (HEAR) program that helps to identify medical professionals that are at risk for suicide and to be referred to a mental health professional for support. Many schools and hospital are now starting early the use of the PHQ-9 depression risk screening program to identify which professionals are at greater risk of depression and suicide.  There are dedicated confidential helplines for hospital staff to discuss problems that they have confronted.  In addition, there are suicide hotlines specific to healthcare professionals, as well as crisis teams to assist staff after witnessing difficult patient encounters.  

Although this is now being more openly addressed, it is something that needs to continually be improved.  There is the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.  Well, unfortunately, those words can hurt, many times do hurt, and can push someone right over the edge.  

About Joshua Mansour, MD:

Dr. Joshua Mansour is a board-certified hematologist/oncologist working and in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular immunotherapy in Stanford, California.  Recently he has managed to have over 10 recent abstracts and over 10 recent manuscripts published in esteemed journals and given countless presentations at conferences and other institutions.  He has helped design and implement clinical studies to evaluate current treatment plans, collaborated on grant proposals, and lead multi-institutional retrospective studies that have been published. 

Innovative Therapy Rescues First Responder with PTSD 

Security guard found help with Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) after trauma

(May 6, 2019) – After security guard Brian Burns experienced a traumatic event at work, he was haunted by disturbing thoughts. 

            “It stirred up a lot of emotion,” said Burns. “When I closed my eyes to try to rest, I would envision the scene, the individual, how they appeared. It was hard to rest or even go to sleep at night.”

            Like many first responders, Burns routinely encounters troubling situations in his work. Many states are currently considering legislation would enable first responders to receive worker’s compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that they develop as a result of trauma on the job. 

            As a first responder, “you can’t really talk to anyone about what you’re experiencing, because you’re afraid they’re going to say, you’re weak or what is your problem,” said Burns.

            Burns received treatment from Estefana Johnson, LMSW at Right of Way: Accelerated Resolution Therapy in Phoenix, Az. Johnson led Burns through a series of eye movements while talking him through the process of substituting positive images for painful memories. Unlike traditional talk therapies, ART does not require clients to rehash troubling events. Most clients who undergo ART report a substantial reduction in their PTSD symptoms in an average of four sessions. 

            After just one ART session, Burns felt dramatically better. “Those overwhelming emotions went away. I was able to sleep normally again. Even months later, I still feel so much better,” he said. “After ART there was real sense of closure.” 

          ART has been proven effective in numerous scientific studies, is classified as a preferred treatment by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) and is employed by the Department of Defense. Restauranteur Chris T. Sullivan established the Tampa-based nonprofit ART International to expand the availability of this life-changing treatment.

           ART has been studied extensively in both veterans and civilians. Developed more than a decade ago by Connecticut clinician Laney Rosenzweig, ART is similar to EMDR, another therapeutic technique that uses guided eye movements to help clients resolve traumatic experiences. Clinicians in more than 40 states currently employ ART with their clients.   

What is ART International?

Background on Nonprofit

• Restauranteur and entrepreneur Chris T. Sullivan formed and is funding ART International Training and Research, Inc., an organization dedicated to making Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART,more widely available to individuals in need of professional help to ameliorate the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and other psychological traumas. 
• To expand the reach of ART, the foundation is specifically looking to increase the number of clinicians certified in this treatment. To accomplish this, the nonprofit is hosting more than 100 training sessions in different cities throughout the country in 2018 for community therapists who are interested in being trained in ART and becoming certified to use ART in their practice.  
• Licensed clinicians including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors are eligible to participate in the training. Therapists who complete the session will earn 21.5 CEUs and are immediately certified to use ART in their practice. 
• For more information on ART International’s upcoming training sessions, or to sign up for a session, individuals can visit https://artherapyinternational.org/. 

What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?

Process of Therapy

• ART is an evidenced-based psychotherapy that has demonstrated proven results in treating individuals with PTSD. The therapy, which continues to gain popularity nationwide, aims to resolve a traumatic memory through a combination of relaxation and memory visualization. This treatment provides effective relief from strong physical and emotional reactions associated with PTSD in as few as one to five sessions, with the average being four sessions.
• The therapy resolves how distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. The therapy’s distinct features include use of horizontal eye movements and memory reconsolidation, which is a way in which new information is incorporated into existing memories. The technique is used to reprogram traumatic memories and images that are currently triggering strong physical reactions like depression, isolation, crying, insomnia, fear, anger and troubling memories.
• Due to the physical desensitization and memory reconsolidation that occurs within a treatment session, the patient typically does not experience troubling memories and symptoms of the trauma thereafter. Verbally recalling or writing details of the traumatic experience is not required which may offer patients a greater sense of safety and control than in other trauma-focused therapies. 
• This approach is delivered in a standardized way to be easier on both the client and the clinician as it quickly and quietly moves through recall of negative imaging to reprocess the memory with positive material, including new imagery.
• In an ART session, patients can expect to be seated across from the therapist and will be guided through a thought process involving a previous experience. The pace of the session is directed by the patient as they move through imagining the original experience and then adding positive material and imagery to the original memory. The therapist will often suggest metaphors to the patient to help create new images to be woven into and take precedence over the original memory and to guide the process to completion.

History of Therapy

• ART was developed by Laney Rosenzweig, MS LMFT, in 2008. Since then, there have been five research studies completed and several more are in progress. These studies have produced more than 10 published papers in scientific peer-reviewed journals on the therapy including by researchers at the University of South Florida and with federal funding from the Department of Defense and currently the National Institutes of Health. Since 2015, ART has been recognized as an evidence-based therapy by the SAMHSA National Registry of Evidenced-Based Programs and Practices.
• The ART studies that have been published represent treatment of hundreds of U.S. civilians and military personnel, as summarized in the journals Military Medicine, Frontiers in Psychiatry, and Nursing Outlook. A randomized controlled trial of ART showed that approximately 70 percent of service members and veterans who completed treatment with ART substantially reduced their symptoms of PTSD in an average of four treatment sessions, and with consistent evidence of safety. Results have been similar in civilians treated with ART. A large randomized controlled trial is underway at the University of Cincinnati to compare ART’s effectiveness with Cognitive Processing Therapy which is considered standard-of-care and is widely used in Veterans Administration facilities. 
• Over the past five years, the Department of Defense has shown considerable interest in ART by contracting for the training of 80 mental health clinicians at Ft. Hood, Ft. Stewart, and Ft. Drum, as well as more than 100 clinical providers at Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital, the sister military hospital to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD. Other clinician trainings have been conducted at the Betty Ford Clinic and with the Idaho National Guard.

'Healing Hands, Caring Hearts' - Ontario Nurses' Association Celebrates Nursing Week 2019

TORONTO, May 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Registered Practical Nurses across Ontario today kicked off Nursing Week 2019 celebrations.

"While the Ontario Nurses' Association's (ONA's) 65,000 members face unprecedented uncertainty these days due to health-care restructuring, it is vital to put aside our anxieties and take the time to celebrate the passion, dedication and extraordinary knowledge of nurses," says ONA President Vicki McKenna, RN.

"Nursing Week is a chance to pause and share the pride with which we care for our patients, clients and residents. ONA's celebration of Nursing Week 2019 reflects the essence of what nursing is about," she says. "While we possess a great deal of knowledge, what makes us special is our "healing hands and caring hearts." 

Nursing Week 2019 runs from May 6 to 12, and ONA members across Ontario will be participating in a wide range of events to celebrate their profession.

McKenna, First Vice-President Cathryn Hoy, RN and other ONA Board members will be visiting workplaces across the province this week to celebrate with members.

"Despite round after round of restructuring, cuts and other challenges, as nurses, we continue to be dedicated to providing high-quality patient care," says McKenna. "Whether we work in a hospital, long-term care, community care, public health, a clinic or industry, our goal is always to provide the best care possible. That is worth celebrating."

ONA is the union representing more than 65,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry. 

Visit us at: www.ona.org; Facebook.com/OntarioNurses; www.Twitter.com/OntarioNurses

SOURCE Ontario Nurses' Association

Hundreds of Healthcare Workers Rally at Extendicare Head Office to Demand More of Their Profit be Invested into Resident Care

RICHMOND HILL, ON, May 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, 300 frontline healthcare workers represented by SEIU Healthcare rallied at Extendicare's head office in Markham, Ontario to demand that more of their profit be invested in resident care. 

The healthcare workers entered Extendicare's head office requesting to speak with executives about the current working and living conditions in Extendicare long-term care homes, but were refused the opportunity by senior management.

Extendicare made a profit of $31.7M last year from tax-payer-funded government business, while paying their executives millions in compensation. Despite these high profits, the healthcare workers in Extendicare long-term care homes are constantly operating at critically low staffing levels.

"Extendicare is increasingly making it impossible for seniors to receive quality care," said SEIU Healthcare President Sharleen Stewart. "They have the profits to hire more staff, but to this point, haven't been willing to do so. If an executive is getting rich from government business, why doesn't a senior have the right to quality care?"

SEIU Healthcare continues its open invitation to the public to join with frontline workers who are calling on for-profit long-term care and retirement home corporations like Extendicare to invest more into resident care. To learn more about the "Tell Them To Care" public advocacy campaign, visit www.tellthemtocare.ca.

________________________
SEIU Healthcare represents more than 60,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union's members work in hospitals, homecare, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. SEIU Healthcare has a strong track record of improving wages, benefits and working conditions for healthcare workers, supporting the training and development needs of its members, and strengthening standards in the management and delivery of patient and client care. www.seiuhealthcare.ca

SOURCE SEIU Healthcare

 Tried and True Tips for Those Who Have Sleep Problems

D’AO Labs, a leader in offering Chinese herbal medicine formulas, offers tips on how to get better sleep

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – (May 6, 2019) – May is considered Better Sleep Month, which is a month dedicated to encouraging people to improve their sleep habits. For those who struggle to get good sleep, they know all too well the negative impact that it can have on their life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that adults should get at least seven hours of sleep per night, or per 24 hour period, for the best health and wellbeing. However, they estimate that around 35 percent of adults do not get enough sleep each night, and it can lead to a variety of problems.

“Many people who can’t maintain consistent, quality sleep want to improve their situation, but they simply don’t know how,” explains John G. McGarvey, co-founder and chief executive officer of DAO Labs, a supplement and lifestyle company that makes Chinese herbal medicine formulas to help with a variety of conditions and improve overall wellbeing. “There are some things you can do to improve your sleep patterns, and you will be far better off once you do them and feel the positive direction it takes your life.”

The CDC reports that not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to be obese, physically inactive, and be a smoker. Not getting enough sleep also, they report, puts you at a higher risk for a variety of health problems, including heart attacks, coronary heart disease, stroke, asthma, arthritis, depression, diabetes, and cancer. 

Harvard Medical School reports that sleep and mental health are closely related, and that sleep deprivation affects your psychological state and mental health. They also report that there are more than 70 different types of sleep disorders, with one of the most common ones being insomnia, which is difficulty falling or staying asleep. 

The good news is that being proactive and making the commitment to strive for better sleep can help you achieve just that. Here are 5 tried and true tips for those seeking quality, uninterrupted, consistent sleep:

• Create the perfect space. The ideal sleep space should be dark, cool, and comfortable, and not have distractions. Make the bedroom the perfect sleep oasis. Determine what is needed to create the perfect space, which may include room darkening shades, removing the television from the room, or even upgrading to a larger bed.
• Stick to a routine. Setting a routine will get the body in the habit of getting good sleep. Pick an ideal bed time and create a relaxing routine that is done before going to bed each night. Whether it involves doing some stretches, reading for half an hour, or whatever it is, opt for something that gets your body ready to rest and relax. Repeat the routine every night.
• Check your electronics. A study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, reports that use of technology in the bedroom an hour before bed is prevalent and it is associated with a large number of sleep problems. They state that technology is a contributing factor to sleep disturbances. The bottom line is that it’s better to keep the technology out of the bedroom and stop using it an hour before going to bed, so that it doesn’t have a negative impact.
• Get daily exercise. A study published in the journal Advances in Preventative Medicine, reports that there is mounting evidence that physical exercise is an effective intervention for those who do not experience sleep quantity or quality. Getting physical exercise each day will improve sleep habits. The CDC recommends getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity exercise.
• Try Chinese herbal medicine. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years. DAO Labs offers two Sleep Series Chinese herbal medicine formulas that help you maintain quality, consistent sleep, rather than simply helping you fall to sleep (like many of the sleep supplements currently available.) They are not habit-forming formulas, and have been created to help people sleep throughout the night and not be mentally foggy the next day. Many people have found Chinese herbal medicine formulas to be helpful in improving sleep patterns.

“We have given this advice to many people who have seen wonderful results and now have good sleep patterns,” added McGarvey. “A good sleep pattern doesn’t just happen, it’s something you have to set out to create, and then stick with and see it through. Only then will it become like second nature.”

The Sleep Series offered by DAO Labs includes Physical Tranquility and Mental Tranquility. The first has been designed for the irritable and overheated sleeper, as well as those who experience restlessness and twitching. It’s particularly helpful for women in the menopause phase of their lives. The latter formula has been designed for the person who has a racing, spinning mind that is stressed out in the night, anxious, leading them to disrupted sleep. These herbal formulas are melatonin free and non-habit forming.

DAO Labs offers a range of traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulas to help a variety of conditions. In addition to their Sleep Series, they also offer formulas for achieving superior digestive health, boosting immunity naturally, and a variety of women’s menstrual and fertility health as well. All formulas are designed by Dr. Eric Karchmer, PhD, L.Ac. a doctor of Chinese medicine, who spent nearly six years training in China and is now a leading academic in the field.   

DAO Labs’ mission is to deliver wellness through the healing powers of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and believe that healing begins with nature. DAO Labs strives to deliver wellness through the wisdom of traditional Chinese herbal medicine and the healing powers of their innovative products.  With a core belief that healing begins in nature, not in a lab, the company is committed to sustainable sourcing practices.  To this end, DAO Labs supports WildAid, a non-profit that is fighting the illegal wildlife trade.  One percent of all revenue goes to WildAid.  To learn more about DAO Labs and their Chinese herbal medicine powders, visit the site at: https://mydaolabs.com.

About DAO Labs 

DAO Labs has a mission of bringing the many benefits of traditional Chinese herbal medicine to today’s wellness explorer. Founded by a team of Chinese herbal medicine experts, the company offers a variety of formulas that help with a variety of conditions impacting health and wellbeing. Their herbal formulas aim to help balance the mind, body, and spirit. To learn more about DAO Labs, visit the site at: https://mydaolabs.com.

4 Benefits of Implementing an Exercise Routine You Actually Enjoy

Many people find it difficult to begin an exercise routine. Key factors that can affect this are lack of motivation or boredom. You can gain plenty of benefits from exercise you actually enjoy.

Better Overall Health

When you enjoy your exercise routine, you will be more likely to stick with it. Exercise is proven to have many benefits. If you have some extra weight to lose, it can kick start the process. It will help you burn more calories throughout the day even while you are resting. It will also reduce your risk of chronic disease, specifically diabetes and heart disease. It may also help with existing conditions and aid in other treatment programs. For example, someone with kidney disease may benefit even more when adding exercise in their routine along with home kidney dialysis machine treatment. 

Higher Motivation

Get motivated for success by doing what you love. Find something you thrive at and stick to it. You might feel inspired to improve yourself in other areas of your life. This may include eating healthier, performing better at work or obtaining higher college grades. Commit to a lifestyle that suits you. Be more grateful on a daily basis for the life you’ve been given.

More Energy

Regular exercise naturally gives a person an energy boost, but enjoying it can make it more effective. This is proven because positivity energizesthe body. It can be easier to jump, run or do numerous other vigorous exercises. Positivity helps a person sleep deeper and longer. This will reinvigorate your body for the day ahead. You might even gain the energy you need to go travelling, learn a new hobby or volunteer for a worthy cause.

Have Fun

Make it fun by doing activities you want to do. Try out a new sport like water skiing, baseball or swimming. If you’re a nature lover, go hiking or biking to view the scenery. Spiritual techniques that may be beneficial are yoga, meditation or karate. Spontaneously take your dog out for a walk. Express your unique personality by wearing your favorite workout clothes, or purchase eco-friendly ones to support the environment. Use a jump rope, yoga mat or dumbbells to make your routine more interesting.

You can get creative by putting together an exercise routine that’s right for you. Consider educating yourself on your options by reading fitness magazines or speaking to a fitness trainer. Make progress in your daily life by committing to self-improvement and taking control of your life.

CorHealth Ontario Marks First National Heart Failure Awareness Week with Ontario's Integrated Heart Failure Care (IHFC) Roadmap

Key Learnings from the Integrating Heart Failure Care Initiative (IHFCI) to Improve Patient Care in Ontario 

TORONTO, May 6, 2019 /CNW/ - From 2017-2019, CorHealth Ontario partnered with Health Quality Ontario and three (3) Early Adopter Teams, to begin the Integrating Heart Failure Care Initiative (IHFCI), a model that integrates heart failure care delivery with quality standards for a localized population of persons suffering from heart failure. For Canada's inaugural Heart Failure Awareness Week (May 6-12), CorHealth Ontario is launching the Roadmap for Improving Integrated Heart Failure Care in Ontario and supporting resources online. CorHealth has translated the experiences gained from the IHFCI into resources that begin to integrate care more broadly – an approach that can be expanded beyond cardiac disease into other chronic illnesses and population health management overall. 

The learnings from the three (3) Early Adopter Teams, as well as input from a Provincial Heart Failure Roadmap Task Group, including clinical, administrative and patient representation, informed the Roadmap and a Toolkit for use by other care teams to provide more integrated heart failure care to their patients. According to Dr. Robert McKelvie, Cardiologist, St. Joseph's Health Care London and London Health Sciences Centre, and member of the Provincial Heart Failure Roadmap Task Group, "common and recurring issues, such as readmission and patient care gaps, often result from a lack of organization and communication among health care providers, caregivers and supports – better integrated care across all care levels is a strong, patient-centred solution." The Roadmap provides guidance and critical considerations to care providers across Ontario, who are also interested in better heart failure care and outcomes for their patients. "The use of the integrated heart failure care model advances patient care by improving access to evidence-based care and patient experience through seamless transitions in care, including between specialty and primary care providers or between hospital and home," says Dr. McKelvie. 

In the current landscape, as care teams work towards better connected care and look to the future of Ontario Health Teams, the learnings from the IHFCI "provide a base from which to grow a more comprehensive population based model," says Debbie Korzeniowski, Executive Director, Prince Edward Family Health Team and member of the Provincial Heart Failure Roadmap Task Group. "Integrating heart failure care can help keep patients out of hospitals and improve their quality of life at home. Success hinges on a person with heart failure being part of the comprehensive care team - understanding their condition, what to do to help feel better, and when to seek supports when conditions change."

"We continue to champion and steward provincial and local efforts to integrate heart failure care," says Karen Harkness, Clinical Strategist, Heart Failure, CorHealth Ontario. "The launch of the Roadmap and supporting resources is an important step towards a more integrated health care system, starting with heart failure care," Karen continues. The new IHFC resources can be found on the CorHealth Ontario website www.corhealthontario.ca/ihfc. 

For anyone interested in implementing this model in their region or would like additional information, guidance, and/or the opportunity to connect with the Early Adopter Teams, please contact CorHealth Ontario at service@corhealthontario.ca.

Background

National heart failure guidelines recommend that care for patients with heart failure be organized within an integrated system of health care delivery where patient information and care plans are accessible to collaborating practitioners across the continuum of care. In 2017, CorHealth Ontario released a guidance document around the requirements for an integrated model of heart failure care, entitled the Minimal Requirements and Key Clinical Services for Heart Failure Programs within a Spoke-Hub-Node Model of Care. CorHealth took a phased approach to implementation, starting with 3 Early Adopter Teams from London-Huron Perth, the Ottawa area, and Guelph.  

About CorHealth Ontario

Since June 2017, CorHealth Ontario was formed by the merger of the Cardiac Care Network of Ontario and the Ontario Stroke Network. With a mandate that spans cardiac, stroke and vascular through the entire course of care, including secondary prevention, rehabilitation and recovery, CorHealth Ontario proudly advises the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Local Health Integration Networks, hospitals and care providers on improving the quality, efficiency, accessibility and equity of care for patients by using data, evidence, and, consultation with stakeholders as the foundation for all decision making. 

SOURCE CorHealth Ontario

Mental health issues in the workplace. What employers can do to support better balance.

Mental health affects all of us, and it’s not something that can just be ‘shut off’ when we go to work.  Personal problems can affect how we perform at the office, and, when the day ends, workplace stress can follow us into our home lives, affecting our quality of life.

Seven in 10 Canadians report that their work experience affects their mental health, while roughly eight in 10 (78%) say their primary reason for missing work is related to mental health. Additional research found that 500,000 Canadians are unable to work each week due to mental health problems or illnesses. Workplace wellness is no longer just focused on physical health. Employers are recognizing the continuum of employees’ physical and mental health and reacting accordingly – offering more mental health resources and supports, and constantly adapting as employee requirements evolve.  And employees are keen to see more mental wellness resources in the workplace. Nearly three-quarters of employees say they want their managers to champion mental health and well-being in the workplace. GoodLife Fitness workplace wellness consultant Linda Lewis-Daly says there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to workplace mental health supports but encouraging open communication and offering customizable supports can go a long way to helping employees find help when they need it.  Lewis-Daly suggests these tips for employers looking to build more mental health supports into their workplace wellness programs:  Put your commitment in writing. A mental wellness policy outlines the organizational outlook on mental health and how it plans to take action to support employees. Lead by example. Leaders can encourage open dialogue by sharing their personal stories and demonstrating their own commitment to mental and physical wellness.   Invite employee input. Gather input and suggestions from employees then provide regular opportunities for feedback and measurement. Address stigma. Employees are often handling their day-to-day tasks while trying to hide their symptoms. Opening up more dialogue around mental health issues is the only way to address stigma and normalize mental health conditions. Encourage resilience. Many people are reluctant to admit they’re experiencing mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Instead of spotlighting the problems, reframe mental health in a more positive light and show employees what to do. For example, GoodLife Fitness created a Plan for Resilience workbook with resources and strategies to help employees bounce back after a potential health, personal or work crisis.  Open lines of communication. Offer training and tools to help managers understand how to recognize mental health conditions and handle different types of situations. Lewis-Daly cites the Do you know what to do? guide she helped develop for GoodLife managers with specific conversation starters to kick off important discussions with employees facing mental health challenges. Above all, managers need to be available and accessible to offer help.   Offer accessible learning tools. Online learning modules or at-work seminars can address the basics of mental health, how to recognize someone who is facing a mental health issue, or what to do if you or someone else in your workplace need help.  Lewis-Daly is available to talk more about the evolving nature of workplace wellness programs and how employers can take steps to introduce mental wellness supports within their workplaces. Please let me know if you’d be interested in connecting with her for an interview.   

FitSpirit Celebrations welcomes more girls to build self-esteem through sport

Scotiabank returns for the second year as title sponsor of the FitSpirit Celebrations

MONTRÉAL, May 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Beginning on May 7^th, with the support of Scotiabank, FitSpirit Celebrations will be held in eight cities across Ontario and Québec to inspire girls to come together and rediscover the joys of physical activity through a range of exciting challenges and activities. The Celebrations are open to girls ages 12-17 and are designed to encourage physical fitness, regardless of athletic abilities.

New this year, FitSpirit welcomes non-partner schools and girls who haven't participated in FitSpirit activities in the past to join in on the experience.

"Going to a FitSpirit Celebration can help spark an interest in an active lifestyle for every girl," says Claudine Labelle, President and Founder of FitSpirit. "The event that is the culmination of the year's efforts for some can also be the starting point of the adventure for others. At FitSpirit we encourage every girl to go at her own pace."

FitSpirit kicked off the year by welcoming Tessa Virtue to the team as its Annual Mentor. She joined Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, official spokesperson for FitSpirit, as the organization seeks to raise public awareness around the problem of declining participation in sport among pre-teen and teenage girls.

"Physical activity is a powerful tool that equips teenage girls to rise to the challenges of today and tomorrow by improving their psychological well-being, mental health, social skills, cognitive abilities and academic success," explains Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. "FitSpirit activities offer all those and more, making a real difference in the participants' lives," adds Tessa Virtue, who speaks about her personal experience growing up as a figure skater.

Last year, Scotiabank became the title sponsor of the FitSpirit Celebrations, helping the organization expand its presence within Canada.

"At Scotiabank, we know that when given the opportunity to participate in organized activities, that young people will develop life-long skills and values that will support their growth into healthy, contributing adults," says Gillian Riley, Executive Vice President, Scotiabank and President and CEO of Tangerine. "Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. We know that how we support young people today, can prepare them for tomorrow, and that's why we want to provide opportunities to help them reach their infinite potential."

From 2017 to 2018, the number of partners tripled from 11 to 35 partners, creating opportunity to add new towns to its tour and enhancing the experience at existing events. 

FitSpirit Celebrations will take place in the following locations:

• May 7, Windsor - Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex, Windsor, Ontario 
• May 9, Toronto - Downsview Park, North York, Ontario 
• May 14, Ottawa/Gatineau - Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario 
• May 16, Montréal - Centre de la nature, Laval, Québec 
• May 22, Québec City - Base de plein air de Sainte-Foy, Québec City, Québec 
• May 24, Rimouski - Parc Beauséjour, Rimouski, Québec 
• May 28, Sudbury - Kivi Park, Greater Sudbury, Ontario 
• May 30, Abitibi-Témiscamingue - Cité étudiante La Polyno de La Sarre, La Sarre, Québec

For more information about the Celebrations, please visit https://www.fitspirit.ca/participate/celebrations.

About FITSPIRIT
FITSPIRIT help teenage girls to be physically active throughout their lives by offering them a new way to experience sport. With the support of its inspiring and committed community, FITSPIRIT transform every activity into a memorable experience for girls 12 to 17. Every FITSPIRIT activity centred on: friends, role models and fun! This winning combination has allowed FITSPIRIT to mark the lives of more than 150,000 girls since it's creation in 2007. Learn more at fitspirit.ca.

About Scotiabank
At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their infinite potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2018, Scotiabank contributed more than $80 million to help our communities around the world. 

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 98,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at January 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

SOURCE Scotiabank