Shoppers Drug Mart, CAMH launch online mental health tool for women
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart have announced the formal launch of an online interactive mental health resource tool for women.
Funding for the project was provided to CAMH through the retailer’s Shoppers Love. You. program, which supports women's health organizations across the country.
"Research shows gender is a critical determinant of mental health, and women are twice as likely as men to develop depression or anxiety at some point in their lives,” said Branka Agic, project lead and director of Knowledge Exchange in the Provincial System Support Program at CAMH. "Our team undertook a rigorous process to identify and provide an interactive mental health self check that allows Canadian women to quickly understand ways they can strengthen their mental health and make it a top priority."
Mental illness affects 1-out-of-5 Canadians and is the leading cause of disability around the world, according to researchers. However, women face unique stresses and challenges that can have a negative impact on their mental health and can change at different stages in life. Compared with men, women are more likely to hold multiple jobs, be a single parent, experience family violence and live on a low income.
Adapted for online use for the first time, the Mental Health Self Check is an interactive questionnaire that measures three components of well-being: emotional, social and psychological. The results will give you an indication of the state of your current mental health.
"We are proud to have partnered with CAMH on the launch of a resource to help Canadian women better understand how they're feeling and functioning in their everyday life," said Jeff Leger, president of Toronto-based Shoppers Drug Mart. "Our organization has a long-standing commitment to advancing women's health through our Shoppers Love. You. program. We hope that this tool will encourage women to check in on their mental health and ensure they're living a healthy and balanced lifestyle."
The free Mental Health Self Check takes less than 15 minutes to complete and all information is anonymous. Respondents can complete the questionnaire as many times as they like to see how their self-reported mental health changes over time.
Users can download their results as a PDF and the tool also includes practical and attainable tips to help maintain or improve mental health. A growing body of research has found that being active — such as stretching, swimming or jogging — can help promote your mental health and reduce the risk of developing depression or anxiety.
The launch of the tool coincides with the Shoppers Love. You. Run for Women, Canada's first and only women's and girls' running race series benefiting women's health initiatives. This year, races are taking place in 17 cities across Canada, with the Toronto run taking place on June 9.
Funding for the project was provided to CAMH through the retailer’s Shoppers Love. You. program, which supports women's health organizations across the country.
"Research shows gender is a critical determinant of mental health, and women are twice as likely as men to develop depression or anxiety at some point in their lives,” said Branka Agic, project lead and director of Knowledge Exchange in the Provincial System Support Program at CAMH. "Our team undertook a rigorous process to identify and provide an interactive mental health self check that allows Canadian women to quickly understand ways they can strengthen their mental health and make it a top priority."
Mental illness affects 1-out-of-5 Canadians and is the leading cause of disability around the world, according to researchers. However, women face unique stresses and challenges that can have a negative impact on their mental health and can change at different stages in life. Compared with men, women are more likely to hold multiple jobs, be a single parent, experience family violence and live on a low income.
Adapted for online use for the first time, the Mental Health Self Check is an interactive questionnaire that measures three components of well-being: emotional, social and psychological. The results will give you an indication of the state of your current mental health.
"We are proud to have partnered with CAMH on the launch of a resource to help Canadian women better understand how they're feeling and functioning in their everyday life," said Jeff Leger, president of Toronto-based Shoppers Drug Mart. "Our organization has a long-standing commitment to advancing women's health through our Shoppers Love. You. program. We hope that this tool will encourage women to check in on their mental health and ensure they're living a healthy and balanced lifestyle."
The free Mental Health Self Check takes less than 15 minutes to complete and all information is anonymous. Respondents can complete the questionnaire as many times as they like to see how their self-reported mental health changes over time.
Users can download their results as a PDF and the tool also includes practical and attainable tips to help maintain or improve mental health. A growing body of research has found that being active — such as stretching, swimming or jogging — can help promote your mental health and reduce the risk of developing depression or anxiety.
The launch of the tool coincides with the Shoppers Love. You. Run for Women, Canada's first and only women's and girls' running race series benefiting women's health initiatives. This year, races are taking place in 17 cities across Canada, with the Toronto run taking place on June 9.