News Article

There’s a stigma attached to mental illness. Some people feel ashamed and embarrassed to talk about it; others feel like they are stuck under a dark cloud. And while it’s long been thought of as a taboo topic, CNA continues to bring this subject to light through several initiatives, including partnering with Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign.
 
College faculty and staff throughout the province have been undergoing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training since 2013 to recognize and administer MHFA to anyone experiencing a mental health issue. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.
 
Elizabeth Chaulk, CNA’s Associate Vice-President of Student Services, says there has been an overwhelming response for the Bell and Bell Aliant sponsored training, which has surpassed the college’s goal of training 200 people within the first two years of the initiative.
 
“We’ve had well over 200 faculty and staff, and a few students, trained in MHFA,” said Chaulk. “The training is helping to address concerns expressed by staff about the increasing challenges and fears often associated with students dealing with mental health issues. The college hopes to build capacity at every campus by providing staff with the knowledge, understanding and skills to support students with mental issues.”
 
In addition to providing MHFA training seminars, CNA played host to six-time Olympic Medalist Clara Hughes twice last year as part of Clara’s Big Ride, a cross-country bike tour to raise awareness and reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness. Events were hosted at two CNA campuses, Bay St. George and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Well over 100 people attended the event at Bay St. George campus and more than 200 people attended the Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus event.
 
While visiting the college’s campuses, Clara spoke with students about their experiences dealing with mental health issues. The subsequent one-hour documentary, Clara’s Big Ride, airs on CTV tonight at 7:30 p.m.
 
CNA primary care paramedicine graduate, Ryan Simms was interviewed for Clara’s Big Ride where he spoke about his struggles with anxiety. His interview can be viewed online at www.ctv.ca/ClarasBigRide/video.aspx?vid=526807.
 
Today marks the fifth annual Bell Let’s Talk Day where Canadians from coast to coast will join Bell for an important conversation around mental health. For Bell Canada and Bell Aliant customers, every text, mobile or long distance call, as well as tweets using #BellLetsTalk and Facebook share of the Bell Let’s Talk Day image, will result in a 5¢ donation from Bell. Last year saw a record 109,451,718 tweets, texts, calls and shares, equaling a $5,472,5985.90 donation for Canadian mental health funding, another Bell record.
 
Chaulk says the college continues to work with community partners to support students with mental health issues. In addition, plans are currently underway by the CNA Student Union to host a Mental Health Day event at all 17 campuses this March.
 
“Over the past number of years the college has experienced increased numbers of students who are dealing with mental health issues while also trying to cope with the rigors of completing a post-secondary program of studies,” she said. “As a result of this growing trend the college has committed to enhancing and providing supports for students with mental health issues.”
 
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Media Contact:
 
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca