YPAM Mental Health

09/04/2022

09/22/2021

As summer is officially over and the new school year has started, we just wanted to thank the sponsors of our Summer Event again! Thank you for supporting YPAM’s 50KM Mental Health Awareness Walk/ Run, in collaboration with the Markham Stouffville Hospital. We appreciate your generous contribution to our community and look forward to collaborating with you all in the near future, because alone we can only do so much, but together we can change the world✨🌎

09/11/2021

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day

Credits to

Here are some resources and organizations that are making a difference✨

08/03/2021

Special shout to participants who walked/ran 50+km! Congratulations to everyone who contributed towards this great cause. We hope you all had fun! Stay tuned for more events presented by the YPAM Mental Health TeamGlowing star

08/03/2021

You can never show too much gratitude. :)

Thank you again:
Spin Desserts Cafe & Bistro Pickering
Connecting GTA
Big Rig Wraps Transport Truck Advertising
Ramachandran Law Professional Corporation
Markham Stouffville Hospital
Kashden Consulting Group
LifePlan Investments

We value you!!!

07/14/2021

CONGRATULATIONS to our Summer 2021 RAFFLE WINNERS!!🌟

Thank you to EVERYONE who participated in our 50km Challenge to raise awareness for mental health.

We would also like to thank our sponsors, Big Rig Wraps, Ramachandran Law, Bronson Christian, Yes IT, and Enviro Safe Solutions for the donation of the FitBit prizes. Additional thanks to Simply Nuts, Conqueror, Kashden Consulting, and Yoga and Lifestyle for sponsoring the gift card/ membership prizes.

The funds raised will be going to a great cause, and this would not be possible without all of your support. Thank you all again, for being an agent of change and joining us in our goal to raise awareness for mental health🙏🏽

And always remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE💛



YPAM

05/30/2021

Anjana Chirayath is a student at the University of Western Ontario, she graduated her undergraduate degree in English literature with a minor in History, and is currently working towards a teaching degree. She aspires to one day become a teacher. On her spare time Anjana loves writing and telling stories through poetry.

She explained to us how she often finds herself not having restful sleep if she doesn’t have a calm her mind before sleeping. Sleep deprivation is a problem for many people, especially since the beginning of the pandemic.

Anjana shared, “I’ve recently begun making sure that I prioritize the process of “unwinding” before bed. I do things I love that make me feel more at peace; breathing exercises, light reading, a dash of lavender essence and some prayers & positive affirmations. Prioritizing my mental health in this way has helped me immensely; while the process of unwinding is not always perfect, I find myself calmer than I was without it!”

Anjana’s whimsical poem reminds us the importance of sleep and self-care, especially when it comes to maintaining our mental well-being💛🙏🏽

Check out her INSTAGRAM page to discover more illuminating poems

05/28/2021

Meet Marco Perri, the author of ‘Attaining Fulfillment: 8 Pillars to live by.’

“To be fulfilled is a fate that too few people experience. This sensation of being at peace with your own existence and accepting of the realities of life, despite their harshness, is liberating. I sought to create a rough outline that a person can follow to get closer to fulfillment. My hope is that you can harness these words and find the motivation to move yourself forward.”
- Marco Perri, on his book.

As an avid advocate of Mental Health, he has launched community initiatives aimed at raising awareness for this relevant cause, and assuring people that they are not alone. He is determined to be a voice for the voiceless, and ensure everyone knows that there are people out there who want to listen to you, and want you to get better🙏🏽.

Check out his page for more info on his book and the work he does within our community!

05/28/2021

Meet Marco Perri, the author of ‘Attaining Fulfillment: 8 Pillars to live by.’

“To be fulfilled is a fate that too few people experience. This sensation of being at peace with your own existence and accepting of the realities of life, despite their harshness, is liberating. I sought to create a rough outline that a person can follow to get closer to fulfillment. My hope is that you can harness these words and find the motivation to move yourself forward.”
- Marco Perri, on his book.

As an avid advocate of Mental Health, he has launched community initiatives aimed at raising awareness for this relevant cause, and assuring people that they are not alone. He is determined to be a voice for the voiceless, and ensure everyone knows that there are people out there who want to listen to you, and want you to get better🙏🏽.

Check out his page for more info on his book and the work he does within our community!! Marco Perri

05/28/2021

Our 50k challenge for the month of June is approaching!

How to Join:
1. Register on our website at ypam.ca/mentalhealth
2. After you register, download the Strava app
3. Get outside and move, walk or run, it is up to you!

If you complete the 50k, you will be entered into a draw for some great prizes. See our website to see the list of prizes.

All net proceeds will go to support Mental Health Programs at Markham Stouffville Hospital🙏🏽.

We all need to get out of our house and get some movement! So as the nicer weather is just around the corner, you will not know how much fun this can be until you get out and do it!💪🏽

For more questions dm us or email us @ypam.ca.

And remember your are not alone!!💛💛

05/25/2021

BISLEEN ATTLI and the MIND-BODY APPROACH

Bisleen Attli is a mental health warrior that is making mental wellness practical and achievable. This 4th Year Naturopathic Medical School Student launched her own campaign called all about M.E. [MENTAL EMPOWERMENT], aimed to empower young people to create an unbreakable mindset so that they can achieve their dreams.

“I learned about practical ways to improve my mental health and I realized that every single one of us is capable of achieving great health with the right support.”
- Bisleen Attli

Visit her page for more information on her work🙏🏽.

05/25/2021

Ever heard of the MIND-BODY approach to mental health?

Mind-body practices are techniques designed to enhance the mind's positive impact on the body. These methods can vary from behavioural, psychological practices, to expressive or spiritual approaches. Recognize the relationship between your mind and body, to better your mental well-being.

Image Credits:
Deepak Chopra - on Ayurvedic practices

05/25/2021

Ever heard of the MIND-BODY approach to mental health?

Mind-body practices are techniques designed to enhance the mind's positive impact on the body. These methods can vary from behavioural, psychological practices, to expressive or spiritual approaches. Recognize the relationship between your mind and body, to better your mental well-being💛

Image Credits:
- on Ayurvedic practices

05/22/2021

Hi my name is Jessica Cianchino,

I am the Ambassador of Mental Health and the Executive Director for the Youth and Parents Association of Markham (YPAM) Mental Health.

Mental Health can be understood as a spectrum, so this means that everyone can relate to the conversation!

Self-awareness of your mental wellbeing is essential, so you are able to learn what self-care practices and coping mechanisms work best for you; as these methods can vary depending on the person.

For me personally, I realized that I needed to take care of my wellbeing when I started competing in pageants, more specifically, when I represented Canada on an international stage. It’s hard not to compare yourself to other people, especially with social media now being a big part in many of our lives. So for me it was so difficult not to compare myself to the gorgeous, smart, talented, women from all over the world.

But I had to change my perspective about pageantry and see it as almost a soul searching journey. You’re given a few months to try to be the best possible version of yourself mind, body and soul. And also to reflect on what you're genuinely passionate about and even better, be encouraged to actively become an agent of change within your own community. So in having a moment of self-reflection I was able to turn the narrative around, and not see myself as competing or comparing with other individuals, but at the end of the day I am only competing with myself.

We are all unique individuals, with unique stories to tell that cannot be compared to anyway else.

For me, spending quality time with my dog has helped ground me and make me feel at peace. There are so many mental health benefits to taking care of another life, whether it be a pet or your plants. The very act of being responsible for a living thing increases our sense of purpose.

So for anyone out there that is struggling with their mental wellbeing, I would recommend learning what self-care practices work best specifically for you. There’s so much growing in the journey, despite it being very difficult. Don’t rush the process, and be kinder to yourselves 💛💛💛

And remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE🤗

05/22/2021

Hi my name is Jessica Cianchino,

I am the Ambassador of Mental Health and the Executive Director for the Youth and Parents Association of Markham (YPAM) Mental Health.

Mental Health can be understood as a spectrum, so this means that everyone can relate to the conversation!

Self-awareness of your mental wellbeing is essential, so you are able to learn what self-care practices and coping mechanisms work best for you; as these methods can vary depending on the person.

For me personally, I realized that I needed to take care of my wellbeing when I started competing in pageants, more specifically, when I represented Canada on an international stage. It’s hard not to compare yourself to other people, especially with social media now being a big part in many of our lives. So for me it was so difficult not to compare myself to the gorgeous, smart, talented, women from all over the world.

But I had to change my perspective about pageantry and see it as almost a soul searching journey. You’re given a few months to try to be the best possible version of yourself mind, body and soul. And also to reflect on what you're genuinely passionate about and even better, be encouraged to actively become an agent of change within your own community. So in having a moment of self-reflection I was able to turn the narrative around, and not see myself as competing or comparing with other individuals, but at the end of the day I am only competing with myself.

We are all unique individuals, with unique stories to tell that cannot be compared to anyway else.

For me, spending quality time with my dog has helped ground me and make me feel at peace. There are so many mental health benefits to taking care of another life, whether it be a pet or your plants. The very act of being responsible for a living thing increases our sense of purpose.

So for anyone out there that is struggling with their mental wellbeing, I would recommend learning what self-care practices work best specifically for you. There’s so much growing in the journey, despite it being very difficult. Don’t rush the process, and be kinder to yourselves 💛💛💛

And remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE🤗

05/22/2021

Today I wanted to put a spotlight on High-functioning Anxiety.

Often, people that don’t know me too well tell me that I come across as very put together, organized and productive. I’ve worked so very hard in the past to maintain this external facade to hide my inner turmoil. What people don’t see are my maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies, racing and intrusive thoughts, self criticism, pure exhaustion and rapidly shifting intense moods.

For years I’ve had to fight the stigma surrounding being a high achiever in many areas in my life while still experiencing mental illnesses. Throughout high-school I was a straight A student who required accommodations. Because I didn’t look like the typical struggling student, some high school teachers did not believe in or wish to provide accommodations. In University, I’ve advocated for myself and asked for accommodations on many occasions and although some Professors have been kind and compassionate, others with stigmatized and discriminatory views have caused me great emotional distress.

-MCD