GNWT releases 'wellness magazine'
Territorial government hopes to raise awareness of mental health with publication
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The GNWT has released a free magazine to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Mind + Spirit, the wellness magazine released by the GNWT last week, tells the stories of mental health care workers in the communities and advertises mental health services provided by the territorial government and other organizations. - image courtesy of the Department of Health and Social Services |
The magazine, called Mind + Spirit, was distributed throughout the NWT in schools, health centres and public areas last week in conjunction with Mental Health Week, May 5 to 11. It will be available all this month.
"This magazine is another resource that will help residents make the choices and find the supports they need to continue on their path towards wellness," Health Minister Glen Abernethy stated in a May 6 news release.
It features stories of mental health-care workers throughout the territory, such as community counsellors and wellness workers, and advertises services provided by the government and other organizations across the territory.
The magazine cost the GNWT almost $20,000 to create and distribute, according to Abernethy, and was designed with the help of Verge Communications, which produces Edge Magazine.
The idea for the magazine came from recommendations given to the department during last year's Ministers Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness.
"That's what we heard ... we need to do something to raise awareness about what mental health means," Abernethy told Yellowknifer.
"People need to talk about it, realize that it's OK and that there is help out there. This
is one of the tools we are utilizing to start the conversation."
The department has yet to decide if and when future editions of Mind + Spirit will be issued, said Abernethy.
"We think right now, we would like to have an annual version that comes out before Mental Health Awareness Week," he said.
"We will wait for public feedback to see if people are getting something out of it, if it's helping encourage dialogue and create awareness."
- with files from Sarah Bradfield
