The Heart & Stroke 2017 Report on the Health of Canadians examines how industry is marketing unhealthy food and beverages directly to our children and youth, and how this is affecting their preferences and choices, their family relationships and their health.
New CHILD Study video: Link between traffic pollution and allergy risk
A new CHILD Study video shows how breathing in traffic fumes during infancy can increase the risk of allergies later on.
CHILD is following 3,500 Canadian children from pre-birth to school age and beyond to help us understand the causes of allergies, asthma, and other chronic diseases. Discoveries such as this will help scientists and clinicians detect health conditions sooner, treat them more effectively, and even prevent them from developing in the first place.
For more information or to download the video, visit AllerGen's website.
Mental Health and the Importance of Storytelling
By April Haggart, Young Canadians Roundtable on Health
Mental health is not an easy topic to open up about. It is not easy for a person who is battling it, or for their families to talk about it. What people going through their own battles do not know is the power behind their own stories. Each story is a journey that not only empowers others to open up, but it can also educate people on mental health and illness.
I learned this through my own battle with depression. I found that my own story, my own journey, is inspirational to others. It educates my family and friends about mental health. However, while I discovered that there are resources for families of teens and children who have a mental illness, there is a lack of resources for families with children 21 years and older.
After experiencing depression between 2012 and 2014 and realizing the lack of resources and education for adults to learn what their loved one is going through, an idea was sparked in me. Two years later, I started the My Story Movement on Facebook.
My Story is a place for individuals who are fighting, have fought or lost someone to mental illness to come share their stories. Their stories shed light into their own struggles. We focus on hope and the positives in people's stories, and how they have been able to get better and improve themselves.
We are never alone. We are all in this together. Our stories are our own to tell. We all have strength inside ourselves to open up.
If you are not ready to share your story publicly, start with your family and friends. It actually gives them insight into what your triggers are, what works and what does not work for you. It will take time for them to learn. They will have questions. They will ask how they can help you. It is okay to tell them if all you need is to have someone listen. It will be a learning curve not only for them, but also for you.
This is your life, your journey, your story. It will have an impact and motivate others to open up.
About the Author
April Haggart is the founder of the My Story Movement on Facebook. She is combining her recreation background and passion for mental health awareness in hopes of inspiring youth about the impact their own stories can have on others.
To our longtime collaborators as well as our new connections:
As we are fond of saying around here, "If collaboration was easy, everyone would do it." Through our hard work together, we are making tangible progress towards delivering on the promise of healthier children and youth. On behalf of our staff, working groups and Board of Directors, thank you for your partnership this year.
Introducing the Free the Numbum Movie Challenge
Who can create the next great Numbum video?
Free the Numbum is a web-based resource offering a collection of 3-5 minute videos that inspire students to get active in the classroom. Each video is tailored to the classroom environment - no time, no space, and no equipment.
Free the Numbum has created a full course for students on how to create thier own awesome Free the Numbum videos. This is an excellent cross-curricular opportunity, a great class project and chance for students to become experts as they share their imagination and creativity.