April 28th, 2017 Press release For immediate release: National mental health week with MindTheHeart/CoeurAl’Esprit 

Demonstrate your support for men and women’s mental well-being by wearing GREEN throughout the week!

Moncton, NB – May 1-7, 2017 is the mental health week. The MindTheHeart/CoeurAl’Esprit team take this opportunity and joins the City of Moncton in the organization of various informational and promotional activities on mental well-being.

MindTheHeart/CoeurAl’Esprit is a research-action project, funded by the Movember Canada Foundation and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, led by Dr. Jalila Jbilou professor at the Université de Moncton and the Centre de Formation Médicale du Nouveau Brunswick. The project aims to develop, implement and assess men sensitive mental health approaches.

About 20% of Canadians will be affected by a mental illness during their life, regardless of ethnicity, gender identification, age, education, and socio-economic status. However, only 1 in 2 people suffering from mental health disorders (i.e. depression or anxiety) will seek professional help (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2016). Common mental illnesses, like anxiety and depression, are more often diagnosed among women than men. However, the suicide rate among men is 3X higher compared to women (Statistics Canada, 2014). Some contributing factors to this alarming situation are the reluctance of some men to talk openly about their psychological distress or emotions, the lack of mental health services tailored to men’s needs, and the absence of prevention programs for common mental illnesses for the masculine population (Oliffe and Philips, 2008). The discrimination and stigmatization linked to mental illness are important barriers, notably among men, for the utilization of help services, clinical services, and community resources that are essentials for an accurate diagnosis and a quality treatment (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2016). Workplaces, the men’s preferred socializing context, can play a major role in creating favorable psychological well-being environments (e.g. include workers in decision making, mental health workshops, offer psychological health help programs sensitive to men’s needs) (Grawitch et al., 2006).

With this focus on mind, we cordially invite you to the activities organised by the MindTheHeart/CoeurAl’Esprit team:

 Monday, May 1st at 5:00 at the council chamber at the Moncton City Hall: Presentation of a televised segment by Dr. Jbilou on the theme of “Men at work” during the City of Moncton council meeting.

 Friday, May 5th from 10:30 to 1:00 at the Gymnasium at the NBCC Moncton: Animation of a kiosk in regards to the CMHA-ACSM forum “Community Partner Knowledge Exchange”

 Sunday, May 7th from 2:00 to 3:00 at the Wellness Expo at the Moncton Coliseum: Organization of a free and public “Introduction to Tai Chi” session specifically for men and their partners, instructed by M. Paul Bourgeois.

Come in large numbers and join us to discuss efficient strategies and available resources for a better mental well-being of men and women! 

Media contact: Lise Gallant, M.A.O. New Brunswick Research Coordinator (506) 858-4574 lise.gallant@umoncton.ca