This holiday season, let’s bring change to our mental health system.
In my role as a volunteer leader, I have heard cries for help from family members and from those who live with mental illness and addiction. Maybe you feel the same as I do… it’s heartbreaking to watch your friends, loved ones, and neighbours struggle to find help for mental health and/or addictions challenges.
I started volunteering for CMHA because I, too, want change. I want to be a part of something that can propel the mental health movement forward. I’m grateful for the support you’ve shown our organization. And with the help of donors like you, we can offer more programs and services to our community. But we also know that gaps in our system of care mean people aren’t getting the right help, and at the right time. Too many are left, waiting. Too many have few options.
Sadly, there is no magic wand solution to this problem. But there is hope. Change is within our reach.
If you’ve wanted to help, now is the time to have an impact on the lives of those who struggle with mental illness and addiction. Will you join me?
CMHA is challenging 1% of all British Columbians – 44,000 people – to “Get Loud” and “Take Action”, as a show of support for better mental health and addictions care in BC. The campaign is called b4stage4 – its analogy is simple – a physician wouldn’t wait until stage 4 to prevent, intervene early or treat cancer, and the same should be true when it comes to mental health challenges. We want to educate, galvanize support, and press for real change, so that getting the right kind of mental health or addictions care – at the right time – is possible for everyone in BC.
You hold in your hand the power to do magic!
Proudly, CMHA has always taken a b4stage4 approach. We’re proactive and we’re effective, but we need your help to continue to provide the following programs and services:
- Our family programs include coaching support for parents whose children show the first signs of behavioural problems. Kids can thrive if their parents get what they need to support them.
- Our Blue Wave program strengthens young people’s self esteem and confidence in a mental health skills course to build their ability to cope with worry, mood, isolation and anger, more.
Together, we can bring change to the people of BC.
Use your magic wand today to GET LOUD (using #b4stage4 on social media and signing the b4stage4 manifesto) and show support for a b4stage4 approach in BC. Let’s use our wands to TAKE ACTION and donate to ensure our b4stage4 services in BC continue to be an effective early-identification, early-intervention approach.
With your help, the future does indeed look bright!
Wishing you a magical season!
Barb Keith
Chair, Board of Directors, CMHA BC Division
P.S. Giving online is easy. Even a small monthly donation can provide the steady support that works like magic to sustain community programs, year-round.
P.P.S. If you’d like to be one of the 44,000 people to “GET LOUD” and “TAKE ACTION” to show your support for better mental health and addictions care in BC, sign the b4stage4 manifesto. If you’ve already signed our manifesto, my deepest thanks. Will you encourage your friends and family to stand with us, as well?