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CMHA WW Recognizes International Women’s Day 2022: Sharing Story of Local Mental Health Champion Ellie Hook and Team Darcy
Apr 21, 2022
On March 8, CMHA Waterloo Wellington joins individuals and organizations around the world in celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022, an annual event held to mark the social, economic and political achievements of women.
The theme of IWD 2022 is #BreakTheBias, which highlights the need to actively call out gender bias, discrimination, and stereotyping. Among other issues, gender bias has a significant negative effect on medical diagnosis and the quality of healthcare women receive, leading to substantial delays in diagnosis and misdiagnosis. This includes delays in receiving mental health care, as research has found that women experience depression and anxiety twice as often as men but experience more barriers in getting care.
CMHA Waterloo Wellington is raising awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the mental health of women. More than half of the calls received for crisis services through Here 24/7 and IMPACT (Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team) are from women. Many of them are reaching out for support with anxiety and depression, suicidal ideation, and relationship conflicts. Referrals for Eating Disorders programs at CMHA WW have tripled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Women entering the 1st Step program may be experiencing social phobia, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety. There is a growing waitlist for early psychosis support.
CMHA Waterloo Wellington is addressing this need so women in our region are better supported. “There are so many things we can learn from women, as they have navigated this pandemic including the strength and value of their networks, ability to clearly ask for help, and ability to pivot and adapt in this ever-changing landscape,” says CMHA WW CEO Helen Fishburn.
Mental health champion and Shopper’s Run for Women team captain Ellie Hook is an example of leveraging the support of others to foster a positive, healthier mindset during these difficult times. Team Darcy was created by Ellie in honour of her best friend’s daughter who lost her battle with mental health struggles. The Team has raised almost $15,000 for CMHA WW through the Run for Women. Please click here to view a video of the full story. *Warning – this is a story of suicide, and some may find this triggering*
We all know a woman whose mental health has been impacted during this pandemic. No one is untouched. As we count down to the Run for Women on May 15, CMHA Waterloo Wellington is calling on the community to support our daughters, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, friends and co-workers, so they can access the help they need. Show your support for the women you know, and ‘Be an Ellie’, come join us in this amazing community event. Visit: Run for Women – Waterloo, ON Promo code: GENGAP22 for $5 off registration.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) is a non-profit organization that provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. CMHA WW serves everyone from children to adults to seniors and helps individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise.
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For further information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Megan Brady, Communications Specialist
Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington
1-844-264-2993 Ext. 2106