April 16, 2002
Mental Health Week 2002 Celebrates Laughter
Caught up in the daily tangle of family and work stress, we often forget about one of the most effective stress relievers our bodies are equipped with: laughter. As a universal language, laughter’s contagious effect brings people in, breaks down barriers, provides perspective, and diffuses hostility and boredom. It’s free, simple and has no known side-effects. Best of all, it makes us — and people around us — feel good.
That’s why this year, Mental Health Week activities across BC, running May 6th through the 12th, will be reminding communities of the various ways we can promote and maintain our mental wellbeing, often in the wake of ever-stressful living. (Not sure how much stress might be hurting you? Take our online stress test at www.cmha-bc.org)
Although scientific studies on laughter are limited, they do suggest that healthy bouts of belly laughter can:
- Boost the immune system, primarily by lowering cortisol levels (a stress hormone released during the fight-or-flight response that can suppress our immune function).
- Improve circulation
- Lower blood pressure
- Provide a burst of aerobic exercise, giving the diaphragm a workout and increasing the body's ability to use oxygen.
- Relax muscles
- Help our breathing, emptying our lungs of more air than they take in resulting in a cleansing effect similar to deep breathing.
- Ease pain and anxiety and lift our spirits; laughter stimulates a chemical chain reaction responsible for the release of endorphins, our body’s natural pain-killers and mood enhancers. In fact, studies have found laughing comparable to progressive relaxation and minor pain-relieving medicines in reducing stress and pain.
Of course, laughter cannot be separated from its social context. “Since we rarely laugh when alone, spending time with friends and family promotes good mental health as well as laughter,” says Bev Gutray, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC Division, host agency for Mental Health Week in BC. “In the end, our best opportunities for laughter are also our best opportunities for communication, sharing and intimacy. Nurturing our support networks nurtures laughter.”
Other tips to invite more laughter and humour into your life include:
- Making friends: When you build friendships, you build laughter. The best way to start laughing is to find someone to laugh with.
- Seek out groups: Laughter is contagious, so put yourself in situations where you’ll catch it. If you’re at an event or a party, listen for the pockets of people who are laughing and see if you can mingle in and join them.
- Don’t forget the little ones: In approaching the world more simply and playfully than most adults, babies, young children and pets can teach us plenty about laughter, play and life’s other simple pleasures.
- Keep funny things around: Try humourous photographs, calendars, cartoons, movies, toys, cards or e-mails. If you’re able to, incorporate something humourous into your work environment such as a funny photo on your computer desktop or a knick-knack that makes you smile situated next to your stapler. This may help ease tension during a hectic day as well as invite conversation among coworkers about your humourous items.
- Make time out for humour: Examples might be a monthly game of charades with your family or a night at an ‘improv’ comedy show with your friends.
Ways You Can Participate in Mental Health Week 2002
- Take our online stress test at www.cmha-bc.org
- Attend a local mental health week event (see attached list)
- Starting May 6th, sign an online petition to raise the profile of mental health issues within the federal government (www.cmha.ca)
- Submit your story of resilience and recovery from mental illness to the national Emerging into Light gallery.
Emerging Into Light - Sharing Our Stories
Last year, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Mental Health Week. To mark this occasion, CMHA partnered with other organizations and individuals throughout Canada to promote the use of Emerging into Light, a personal symbol of resilience and recovery. The symbol is larger than any one organization. It speaks of the importance of mental health and the rights and inclusion of people who have mental illness. By proudly adopting this symbol, we are bringing mental illness out of the dark ages and into our community. We are becoming visible.
The acceptance of the symbol has far exceeded our expectations. Emerging into Light has become a personal badge of pride for people who truly care about mental health and illness. In the first year, more than 20,000 pins and 1,500 posters were distributed; 3,000 t-shirts were proudly worn and 800 ornaments adorned Christmas trees throughout the land. With tattoos and earrings the symbol has been embraced and celebrated. It has appeared in publications, web sites, screensavers and on everything from flags to buses to road signs.
During Mental Health Week 2002, CMHA invites Canadians to share their stories of resilience and recovery by submitting them to the Emerging into Light Gallery on the national web site at www.cmha.ca/emergingintolight. If a sufficient quantity are received, the stories, artwork, poems and photography will be collected and reproduced for publication as part of next year’s Mental Health Week.
Mental Health Week Events Across BC by CMHA Branches
Please contact local branches for more details about the events presented and/or interviews
100 Mile House
Pam Simpson, CMHA 100 Mile House 395-4883
- Information table/display, Cariboo Mall, May 9th
Burnaby/Vancouver
Grainne Holman, CMHA Vancouver/ Burnaby 872-4902
- Presentation of play, Who are you calling crazy? May 6th through the 12th, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Facilitated, educational talk-back sessions after each performance.
- Display of the winners of BC Schizophrenia Society Poster and Essay Contest, Metrotown branch of Burnaby Public Library, whole month of May.
- Mental health education series, Burnaby Mental Health Services Auditorium, May 14th to June 25th. Advance registration required.
Coquitlam
David Dickinson, CMHA Simon Fraser 516-8080
- Mall display, Coquitlam Centre Mall, May 9th, 10th, 11th
Courtenay
Jill Marston, CMHA Courtenay 338-8287
- Soul Food Music Society kickoff concerts featuring Universal Gospel Choir, May 4th and 5th
- Mall display, Driftwood Mall, May 10th
- Fun Run, May 11th
Cranbrook
Teri Johnson, CMHA East Kootenay 426-5222
- Community barbeque promoting mental health, Bridge Interiors, May 11th
- A laugh-a-day e-mail circulated each day of Mental Health Week to promote the role of laughter in mental health
- Mental Health Week themes to be featured in spring newsletter, Changes
Delta
Judy Gray or Margo Whyte, CMHA Delta 943-1878
- Mall displays: Tsawwassen Safeway store and Town Centre Mall, Ladner Safeway and Save-On Foods, Scottsdale Mall
- Delta Cable to air Mental Health Week videos
Duncan
Margaret Hess, CMHA Cowichan Valley 746-5521
- Mall display, Duncan Mall, May 10th and 11th
- In cooperation with local intercultural association, there are plans for a mental health and multiculturalism event (details to be announced)
Kamloops
Lesley Campbell, CMHA Kamloops 374-0440
- Promotion of mental wellness, stress and laughter
Kelowna
Jennifer Marte, CMHA Kelowna 861-3644
- Pancake breakfast, May 6th
- CMHA Thryft Shoppe Open House with refreshments, goodies and great deals, May 8th
- Education Day at the Eldorado Hotel with workshops, a poster presentation and art exhibit., May 8th
- BC Schizophrenia Society presentation on dual diagnosis Dr. Charles Elles, Ramada Lodge, May 9th
- FLY-A-KITE event in city park. BBQ put on by M&M Meats, local entertainers, and our first annual stress buster relay, May 10th
Maple Ridge
David Dickinson, CMHA Simon Fraser 516-8080
- Hot dog stand/information table, Save-on-Foods, May 17th, 18th
- Walk a Mile for Mental Health, starts at “The Horse” near City Hall, May 10th
Nanaimo
Heather Harris, CMHA Mid-Island 756-4871
- Mall display, Countryclub Mall, May 11th
New West
David Dickinson, CMHA Simon Fraser 516-8080
- Mall display, Royal City Centre Mall, May 9th, 10th, 11th
- Friendship House Open House, May 8th
- Display of the winners of BC Schizophrenia Society Poster and Essay Contest. New Westminster Library, whole month of May
- Bake sale (details to be announced)
- Book signing. Brian Devlin, a New Westminster consumer will read from his collection of poetry Our Home and Native Land and be available to sign copies. Booktown, May 12th
Penticton
Don Smythe, CMHA South Okanagan 493-8999
- Various presentations in the community from peer support and consumer development to caregiving, seniors, and medication management. May 8th and May 29th, Penticton Health Centre
Port Alberni
Bob Hargreaves, CMHA Port Alberni 724-7199
- Mall display, May 11th
- Open House with tea and sandwiches, May 8th
- Distribution of pamphlets outlining CMHA Port Alberni’s services throughout community
Prince George
Pat Doern, CMHA Prince George 564-8644
- Shaw Cable television broadcast of early intervention video Reaching Out, May 4th and 5th
- Proclamation signing and photo opps, City Hall, May 6th
- Information forum with panel presentations, Esther’s Inn, May 7th
- Open House, Mary Harper Centre Clubhouse, May 8th
- Wellness Fair, Canada Customs & Revenue Agency, May 8th
- Community mental health professionals cook brunch for the clients, Mary Harper Centre Clubhouse, May 10th
- Information/display tables, Pine Centre Mall, May 10th and 11th
- Picnic, games and kite-flying, Fort George Park, May 12th
- Shaw Cable video presentations of early intervention video Reaching Out, May 11th and 12th
Richmond
Barbara Fee, CMHA Richmond 279-7110
- Mental Health Week proclamation by Mayor Malcolm Brodie
- Table display, 6th through the 10th, Caring Place building
- Presentation of play The Truth Shall Set You Free...But First It'll Piss You Off, the irreverently funny and startling story of one woman's experience with bipolar disorder, May 8th, Ralph Fisher Auditorium, Richmond Hospital; May 10th, Caring Place Building. Call for more information or to register
- Comedy routine for mental health service providers. I’m OK but you need professional help by psychologist and laughter therapy specialist, David Granirer. May 6th, Caring Place; May 9th, Richmond Hospital
Salmon Arm
Sherry Bowlby, CMHA Salmon Arm 832-8477
- Information display at the library
- Mall displays, both of the area malls
- Delivery of muffins and cookies to local businesses who have supported CMHA and people with mental illness
Vernon
Sandy Rysen, CMHA Vernon & District 542-3114
- Smorgasbord breakfast, Kerry’s Family Restaurant, May 8th
- Fun golf tournament, Hillview Golf Course, May 10th
- Mall display, Village Green Mall, May 9th, 10th and 11th
- Workshop by the Vernon Mood Disorders Association support group on youth and mental health/illness. Phone Patricia at 558-6900 for more details.
Victoria
Gail Simpson, CMHA Victoria 389-1211
- 12th annual Kite Festival
White Rock
Debbie Sesula, CMHA White Rock/South Surrey 536-2486
- Evening presentation on May 8th called “Understanding and Coping with Mental Health Problems” at Peace Arch Hospital. Free. Please register by May 3rd at 536-2486
- Comedy routine for mental health service providers. I’m OK but you need professional help by psychologist and laughter therapy specialist, David Granirer. May 7th, Peace Arch Hospital
Williams Lake
Sepp T., CMHA Williams Lake 398-8220
- Blues Busters during Mental Health Week: volunteers who wear a cape and mask, handing out mental wellness cards to the public at various times
