Step up to Leadership

HRM Community Relations & Cultural Affairs will be hosting three Step Up to Leadership Training sessions this March. They will be offered in Spryfield, Lakeside and Lake Echo. These sessions are open to all individuals living in HRM and not just for individuals residing in those areas.

Step Up to Leadership training is a free, 8 week course designed for community members to develop their leadership skills and build on their involvement in community causes and organizations.

For more information, please call Bronwyn MacKinnon at 490-4535 or email mackinnb@halifax.ca

Community Development Funds

Have you ever had a great idea to make your neighbourhood healthier? If so, we’d like to hear from you!

Halifax Peninsula Community Health Board is accepting
applications to our Community Development Fund from qualified non-profit and community based organizations. Grants of up to $5,000 are available.

Halifax Peninsula Community Health Board has a legislated
mandate to be the eyes, ears, and voice for our community’s health. The Board fosters community development, engages
citizens and stakeholders to identify health priorities, and makes
recommendations for improvements in health care services.

To find out more about funding criteria, or to discuss your idea,
contact Susan Dunn at 424-5147 or susan.dunn@cdha.nshealth.ca Deadline for applications is Friday April 24, 2009.

Story of Stuff: Toward Sustainable Consumption and Production

Attend this free public film and interactive, stimulating discussion. Watch the highly acclaimed Story of Stuff short film; a critical look at our consumption and production systems. You can also review our new Nova Scotia Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act. Draw prizes. All welcome!

Tuesday March 10, 2009
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Spring Garden Road Memorial Library
5381 Spring Garden Road, Halifax

For more information, please call 454-6846. Email nsen@cen-rce.org or visit our web site http://www.nsen.ca/

Which way HRM?

Metro Transit is in the process of developing a new five year strategic operations plan for transit services in the region. As a component of this ongoing process, an on-line trip diary survey and campaign entitled "Which Way HRM ?"has just been launched and will run until Friday, March 6th, 2009. Transit passengers and HRM citizens alike are being asked to provide their feedback on what their daily trip patterns are in and around HRM, to help shape the future of public transit.

Everyone who completes Metro Transit's on-line trip diary survey will be automatically entered in a contest to win one of 5 iPod nanos, gift certificates or Metro Transit passes! Contest details are available on - line. To fill out the survey, just go to www.hrmlistens.com Call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000 for more details.

Let's talk!

Halifax Peninsula Community Health Board is about to begin an extensive citizen and stakeholder engagement process. The information we gather will help us develop focused, informed, and meaningful health plan recommendations to Capital Health. Over the next few months we'll post a variety of questions.

So what can you do? Follow our blog. Answer questions. Add your comments. We want to hear from you!

Envisioning a Community Garden for Halifax West

Saturday, February 21
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Room C, Keshen Goodman Library
330 Lacewood Drive, Halifax

Organized by the Nova Scotia Environmental Network. For more information, please call (902) 454-6846, email nsen@cen-rce.org or
visit our web site: http://www.nsen.ca/

Come and “plant a seed” to help us bring to life the first community garden in Halifax West, next to the new Mainland Common Community Centre.

All are welcome to this free public meeting. Featuring draw prizes and inspirational special guest, Marjorie Willison - CBC gardening guru extraordinaire!

Have your say! The Mental Health Strategy for Canada

Setting the Goals to Guide a Mental Health Strategy for Canada

Canada is the only G8 country without a mental health strategy. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has been given the responsibility to work with Canadians to address this gap.

The first step is to work out shared goals to guide the development of a mental health strategy. The Commission is seeking public and stakeholder input on the eight goals that are set out in the document
Toward Recovery and Well-being- A Framework for the Mental Health Strategy for Canada.

This draft framework document proposes a vision of WHAT a transformed mental health system should look like. Your input will help to finalize the draft document, and to set the stage for developing a detailed roadmap for HOW to achieve the eight goals it contains.

To participate on line, go to http://mentalhealthcommission.ca and follow the links for stakeholder consultation or public consultation.

Your contribution to this exercise is important: it is only by working together that we will keep mental health issues out of the shadows – forever.

This online consultation is being hosted by the Mental Health Commission of Canada – an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and social outcomes of people living with mental health problems and illnesses as well as to promoting the mental health and well-being of all Canadians.

Bike Week 2009

Mark your calendars! HRM's Annual Bike Week will be held from May 29th to June 7th, 2009.

Bike Week is designed to celebrate, educate and increase participation in all types of cycling throughout the Region. Community support is paramount to make this happen!

HRM Bike Week is an exciting, community driven event that encourages people of all ages and abilities to be more active and get out and see their communities in an enjoyable fashion - cycling! Last year's event attracted more than 2000 residents to participate in over 30 events held throughout HRM. HRM is encouraging community involvement!

Here are some ways you can participate HRM Bike Week 2009: Host an event or workshop. Organize a bike ride. Organize a guest speaker to talk about the benefits, tips of the trade, or ways to engage your community (school/work/neighbourhood) in safe, enjoyable cycling. If you are a non-profit organization or community group, grants may be available to support your event.

To find out more information or if you are looking for ideas - please contact the Bike Week Committee (Gabrielle Riley - 490-3802, rileyg@halifax.ca). Event organizers are asking interested groups to submit a grant request by February 27th, 2009, and event registration by March 31st, 2009. You may be required to show proof of public liability insurance. Check the website www.halifax.ca/bikeweek for more information and to download an event registration/grant funding form

For more information, please contact:Gabrielle Riley - HRM Active Living Coordinator. rileyg@halifax.ca p. 490-3802 f. 490-4742

Free Adult Literacy and Upgrading

Want to Improve your Reading, Writing or Math Skills?

- Ages 19 +
- No high school diploma?
- Interested in working with a volunteer tutor once a week to improve reading, writing and math skills?

You could work towards your GED or increase your chances of getting a better job!

Programs are FREE and participation is confidential.
For more information, contact Program Coordinator, Jen Hill at 490-5990 or 490-5779.

Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library
Thursdays from 3 - 6 p.m. or 6 - 9 p.m. or
Fridays from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Halifax North Memorial Public Library
Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 6 - 9 p.m. or
Fridays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

You could carry the Olympic Torch!

Halifax Peninsula Community Health Board and Active Halifax Communities are pleased to support an opportunity for youth to carry the Olympic torch. Youth between the ages of 13 and 19 are encouraged to be more physically active and put their name in a draw for a chance to participate in this exciting cross Canada event.

The Olympic torch will be making its way across the country in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. The torch will be in Nova Scotia in November of this year.

Here’s how to apply:
Log on www.sogoactive.com
Click on “take the challenge”.
Sign up, become a member and get active!
Tell us how you’ve become more active, and why that’s important to you.
Send your story along with your name, address, and contact information to susan.dunn@cdha.nshealth.ca
Deadline for entries is March 1, 2009.
Names will be randomly selected and torch runners notified by April 30, 2009.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Dunn
Coordinator, Halifax Peninsula Community Health Board
424-5147
susan.dunn@cdha.nshealth.ca

Rachel Bedingfield
Regional Physical Activity Consultant
Active Halifax Communities
490-5447
bedingf@halifax.ca

Mental Health First Aid

Research shows that at some point in their lives, mental health problems affect one in three Canadians. So the chances are good that each of us knows someone with a mental health problem such as a substance-related disorder, depression, anxiety, or a psychotic disorder.

While thousands of people across the country know how to provide first aid to someone with a physical injury, a lot fewer people are able to recognize the signs of and support someone needing mental health first aid. But that’s changing thanks to a new mental health first aid training program for the general public, being offered coast-to-coast by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Canada.

“Mental health first aid is help for a person experiencing a mental health problem or a mental health crisis. Just like physical first aid, the goal is to offer a person immediate assistance until they can receive appropriate professional treatment or until the crisis is over,” says Tony Prime, Instructor MHFA .

MHFA Canada is an interactive course for anyone and no previous mental health experience is necessary. It can benefit teachers, health care professionals, emergency service workers, human resource professionals, employers, managers and supervisors, community groups, and the public.

The 12-hour course provides general information about what is meant by mental health problems and illnesses, how to identify signs of mental health problems in yourself and others, effective interventions and treatments, and how to support an individual and help them find out about and access the professional help they may need.
It also dispels common myths surrounding mental health problems and reduces the stigma around mental illness, since estimates suggest that more than half of people with a mental health problem will never seek treatment.

“The course doesn’t train people to diagnose mental illness or be a therapist or counselor,” says Prime. “It provides the first aider with actions to guide a person in need to appropriate professional help when a problem first arises. We know the sooner a person with a mental health problem gets help, the better their chances of recovery.”

More information about mental health first aid can be found at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca For more information, contact:
Tony Prime, Instructor Phone: (902) 424-7235Email: primets@gov.ns.ca

All Abilities Welcome Workshop

Brought to you by Active Halifax Communities


When: February 20th, 2009
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Where: Holiday Inn, 101 Wyse Rd., Dartmouth NS – Sullivan Room
Cost: FREE

Details:

Do you work at a community centre, fitness club, or recreational facility that promotes physical activity? Are you a recreation provider or a person involved with a community organization that understands the value of including individuals of all abilities, but does not know where to begin?

All Abilities Welcome (AAW), an initiative of the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, in partnership with Active Halifax Communities, an initiative aimed at increasing physical activity levels of children, youth and their families within HRM, are proud to bring you a workshop that is aimed at promoting greater inclusion of HRM residents with a disability in community physical activity programming.

Come and hear success stories from persons who have made the effort to create inclusive programs. Hear from athletes Jason Dunkerly and Paul Tingley, competitors at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic games. Through facilitated discussion, participants will walk away with specific strategies that can help their programs to become more inclusive.

By connecting community partners and persons with a disability, we hope to build awareness that everyone can be physically active; to share the simple strategies that can make this a reality; and to promote a culture of inclusion in HRM.

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

For more information and to RSVP contact Rachel Bedingfield at bedingf@halifax.ca or phone (902) 490-5447. Registration deadline is February 17th, 2009.