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It's always a pleasure when we can work with schools to educate about mental illness and promote mental wellness. Today, Active Minds speaker Colleen Coffey provided that education and entertainment to students from All Saints, Anderson and Williamsburg. Colleen's personal story and her outgoing personality captured the attention of the students and made a connection. She is a wonderful speaker and we were so glad she could join us. We have also been hosting many screenings of our adolescent mental health documentary Three Voices. This year we have already reached 3,000 people - the vast majority being students. It's clear that outreach efforts like TAMI and Adolescent Mental Health Literacy support teache rs to educate and empower students to learn and know there is no shame in asking for help. |
| chris.bovie
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Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences would like to inform the community of what might be a high level of media activity related to this court/Ontario Review Board ruling.
http://www.cp24.com/news/kachkar-to-be-held-at-psychiatric-hospital-in-whitby-1.1258539
With the high level of attention in this case we do expect media activity around the hospital today and over the next few days. We will be instructing media on procedures and to be considerate of neighbours and patients while on site.
Ontario Shores remains committed to the safety of the community, patients and staff. |
| chris.bovie
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| Last week I had the absolute pleasure to attend the Whitby Youth Film Festival. Attended by Mayor Pat Perkins, Deputy Mayor Lorne Coe and Community and Marketing Services Director Peter LeBel, the many in attendance were entertained by some very creative works in filmmaking. I commend all the young artists who created a vision and put it to screen. I admit I was in awe and tried to imagine producing such high level films at that age. You clearly had a great time creating and it was a great night to celebrate with family and peers. The Whitby Youth Group under John Watkins have created something special that makes this community stand out. Thank you for letting Ontario Shores show its documentary short Talk to Someone" You're Not Alone and sharing our story with you. |
| chris.bovie
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I have to admit reading the news can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster that often breeds synicism. But there have been so many stories that have touched my heart and sparked confidence that we are moving forwards not backwards. Sometimes you have to sift through the ashes of the news to find the treasures. I think the same goes for people. We often see others in a superficial way instead of taking the time to see the human being behind the facade. I recently read a news story about a waiter in Texas who refused to serve a table who had been making fun of a young boy with Cerebral Palsy. It's hard to wrap my head around the notion that adults in this day and age would belittle a young child for his physical appearance and I applaud the worker who called out this unacceptable behaviour. Sometimes a hero comes from a place you just didn't expect and it makes you take notice. Society needs more people who are willing to take an active role to end discrimination.
I think that is something we should all be cognizant of. Whether a person has a mental illness, a physical challenge, or might look different than you, remember inside they are you - someone who also has fears, hopes, dreams and a need to be loved. |
| chris.bovie
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If you are going to be in Peterborough next weekend check out the ReFrame International Film Festival. There are lots of great films playing including our very own Three Voices: Discovery, Recovery, Hope. The festival runs from January 25-27 and features more than 60 films. Our adolescent mental health documentary, Three Voices will be screening at The Venue at 5:00 p.m. along with another film, Cutting Loose.
For more information visit reframefilmfestival.ca
See you at the movies
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| chris.bovie
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| With the official launch of our adolescent mental health documentary - Three Voices: Discovery. Recovery. Hope. there has been a lot of buzz and interest. It was such a pleasure to meet all three of you the young people featured in the film when it made its debut November 1. The feedback from those in attendance was amazing and affirming and I can't thank Affinity Production Group enough for their vision and compassion. There were a lot of peole involved with this project and they all put their heart and soul into it. We are entering the documentary in festivals and there will be more screenings upcomings. Groups can also request screenings. Visit the website at www.ontarioshores.ca/threevoices for more information. We also created a shorter version entitled Talk to Someone: You're Not Alone which will go to support those school partners in our Adolescent Mental Health Literacy program. |
| chris.bovie
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The fall is a busy time from an events perspective at Ontario Shores. Our Imagine Arts Festival is in swing and we have a number of great events coming up. Gayle Grass, author of the Iris the Dragon series, will be coming to the Whitby Public Library for a book reading for young students. Her books present mental health issues in an age appropriate manner and help educate our children about mental illness.Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida will perform at The Regent Theatre in Oshawa on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at The Regent or online at http://tickets.regenttheatre.ca/orderticketsarea.asp?p=136&a=125&backurl=default.asp
On November 1 our adolescent mental health documentary Three Voices...Discovery, Recovery, Hope will make its debut at Empire Theatres in Whitby (formerly AMC). Admission is free but send me an email so I can manage numbers boviec@ontarioshores.ca |
| chris.bovie
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The weather was perfec t for our Grand Slam Baseball Challenge August 23. Great day of fun and sport with Ontrio Shores and Durham Mental Health Services patient teams and a Durham Regional Police Services squad. A special thanks to Olympian Emily Batty for attending our event and signing autographs. |
| chris.bovie
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| Well the weather didn't look great in the morning and I probably used every meteorologist's name in vain - the storm clouds moved past and we had good weather from noon on. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the day and all the great bands, 48 Caliber, The Colts, Hollowick and Lowest of the Low. Thanks to all our community groups and vendors, artisans, Autofest organizers and everyone that helped put this event together. It feels like planning a wedding at times with the exception of a honeymoon . It's back to work and on to the next thing. Notes: The cyclists with the Waterfront Cycling Adventure come through here on Monday and we are working towards our Imagine Festival this October and have a big announcement coming for our signature event. Stay tuned. |
| chris.bovie
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Where has the time gone?
It's hard to believe, and I am a little panicky, that Mindful Music is just a little more than a month away. The event is July 7 (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and features the great Lowest of the Low and other bands including Hollowick, 48 Caliber, and The Colts. For kids we have a Kids Zone featuring jumping castles, Sunflower the Clown, Fairytale Palace dress up. Sports Zone features the Oshawa Generals and Durham/UOIT Varsity. New this year is the Autofest Invitational (Autofest Preview) Car Show and Artisan Alley. The event is free to attend so please come out to Ontario Shores and support this great community event and reduce mental health stigma. Gret food, music and fun on the waterfront. |
| chris.bovie
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