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Welcome to the fourth edition of the CMHA Ottawa client newsletter. The New Leaf signifies optimism and change. Our goal is to provide you with great resources, information, news and inspiration to assist you in your mental health journey.
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The New Leaf #4 — Table of Contents
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FEBRUARY FEATURE: SELF-LOVE
Serenity Prayer
Taking a break from social media
Meditation Mantra
OPPORTUNITIES
You're invited! Recovery College: Free virtual workshop series for CMHA Ottawa clients
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
About Black History Month
Awesome local resource: ACB Wellness Resource Centre
BE IN THE KNOW
Available now: Ontario is expanding access to rapid COVID-19 tests for the general public
HELPFUL STUFF
Free community tax clinics near you
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February. What a month. It's the shortest month of the year, and somehow it feels like the longest — at least if you live in Ottawa.
But here at The New Leaf, we don't let the grey winter season get us down, because we know we have everything we need in our toolbox to make it to spring.
Another thing about February, it's got Valentine's Day. Everybody likes to make a big deal about Valentine's Day, but we do things a little differently at The New Leaf, don't we? We decided to look inward instead, and focus on self-love!
Oh, and here's something we love about February. It's Black History Month! This newsletter features some Black History Month items as well as a local resource for the local African, Caribbean and Black community.
We've also got an exciting free education opportunity that is exclusive to you as CMHA Ottawa clients. Read on to learn about Recovery College.
But first up: Self-Love. Here are three self-love tips from the team at The New Leaf:
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FEBRUARY FEATURE: SELF-LOVE
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Click the image for a closer look.
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Christina uses a version of the Serenity Prayer as an act of self-love. The best thing about this prayer? You don't have to be religious to benefit from its message – it's universal! – and to those of you who are interested in mindfulness, it's quite a mindful message of acceptance and living in the moment, isn't it?
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Taking a break from social media
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For Patrick, his radical act of self-love is giving himself a break from social media, especially during a time when there is a lot of misinformation, disagreement, and plain old toxicity on the various apps. Patrick deletes Twitter and Facebook every weekend as an act of self-love and a reminder to go easy on himself and control how much social media he consumes.
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Related/bonus:
A big mental health concern is the excessive use of social media. While social media use can help decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness, it can also alter our mood, motivation and concentration. Research shows that constantly checking social media sites can increase feelings of inadequacy and depression, as well as anxiety around the fear of missing out.
To help, CMHA Ontario’s BounceBack program created a resource with strategies to use social media to benefit your mental health. Filled with practical tips on how to engage mindfully, this tip sheet aims to help everyone reap the benefits of social media without being impacted by the risks.
Check it out at the button below!
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Click the image for a closer look.
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Dave generously shared a prayer of meditation his Gramma Ruth sent him many years ago that he now uses as a mantra and for meditation. Thank you, Dave, for sharing this deeply personal bit of self-love with The New Leaf audience!
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You're invited! Recovery College: Free virtual workshop series for CMHA Ottawa clients
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CMHA Ottawa's Recovery College is a series of virtual workshops on personal recovery in mental health and well-being available exclusively for clients of the agency, like you!
The workshops provide an accessible and innovative learning experience where you can attend free courses, webinars, workshops, and events to learn, gain new skills, and connect with others in your community.
The course curriculum is unique: it is developed by subject experts and mental health professionals, working together with people who have their own experience in personal recovery.
Here's what's coming up:
- Establishing Boundaries, Thursday, February 24, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
- Join Rebecca R. as she discusses boundaries, the guidelines or personal rules that a person identifies as reasonable and safe ways to interact with others. This course will help you identify personal boundaries and to ensure that you receive respect from others. In this course we will discuss what boundaries are and why they are important and change over time. How to have a boundary conversation and how to say “no” will be explored.
- Discover Online Safety, Thursday, March 10 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
- Join Rebecca B. as she covers topics including making strong passwords, downloading apps safely, and avoiding online scams. (DigitalSmarts workshop from our special guests at MediaSmarts to teach you new skills in online safety!)
- Navigate Online Information, Thursday, March 17 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
- Join Marc Alexandre as he covers advanced search skills, how to choose different online sources of information for different needs, and how to verify information you see online. (DigitalSmarts workshop from our special guests at MediaSmarts to teach you new skills in online safety!)
To RSVP and get registered for any workshop, or for more information, please email Rebecca Rutland at rrutland@cmhaottawa.ca.
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This February at CMHA Ottawa we are focusing on Black history in Canada: past, present and future. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as we as we share notable moments in Black history, highlight the brilliant work of individuals in the local mental health and social services community in Ottawa, amplify inspiring stories of history in the making, and much more.
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As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s continue to push for accessible and culturally appropriate mental health services and supports for Black communities. Visit the button below to learn about health inequities experienced by Black communities in Canada, courtesy of the Black Health Alliance, including chronic disease and mental health and addictions.
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Awesome local resource: ACB Wellness Resource Centre
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We would like to introduce you to our new friends at the ACB Wellness Resource Centre, located on Cyrville Road.
The ACB (African, Caribbean, Black) Wellness Resource Centre is built on the foundation of empowering Black individuals and families in Ottawa/Gatineau areas.
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Available now: Ontario is expanding access to rapid COVID-19 tests for the general public
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- Five million free rapid tests will be available each week at more than 2,300 pharmacy and grocery store locations across the province.
- To see a list of locations near you so you can get your own easy-to-use rapid tests, view the page on the Province of Ontario website at the button below:
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Free community tax clinics near you
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OK, so it's not exactly fun, but it's a big act of self-love to get your finances in order. It feels great to accomplish getting your taxes done.
Plus, tax season is coming up soon. The deadline for filing your taxes is April 30, 2022.
There are lots of options to get your taxes done for free in Ottawa. Click the button below and follow these steps:
Go to 'Find a tax clinic in your area' > Choose 'Clinic type' > Select 'Province' > Select 'City'> Select types of 'Returns Prepared' > Select 'Language' > Click 'Search'
Check one out for yourself or talk to your worker about getting your taxes done right here at CMHA Ottawa (available to clients only).
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Readers: Do you have a story, painting, song, poem or photograph that you would like to have featured in the newsletter? We'll accept anything creative, really. Don't hesitate to submit it!
NOW SEEKING PET PICTURES and STORIES! Tell us about your pets. Do you have tips? Pictures? Stories? How does your pet make your life better? Submit your ideas, stories, memories, whatever! It doesn't even have to be your pet. Maybe some furry friends you see outside?
We love talking about animals at The New Leaf, and we would welcome your participation. Email us!
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