The Foundation is presenting The Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Award for college students who have had mental health issues spread awareness that promotes positive education and awareness regarding youth mental health.

The award is for a video on their experiences with mental health issues and how they are working to raise awareness and encourage their peers on the issue. The award includes a $2,000 scholarship, a trip to NYC to our annual gala in June 2009, recognition through our site and events and possibly appearing on MTVU.

Learn more about the Jed Foundatoin's "Student Voice of Mental Health"award.

Mental illness costs the Canadian economy an estimated $51 billion in disability claims and absenteeism annually.

Having a friend, co-worker, spouse, sibling, child, or aging parent with a mental illness can present challenges to the even the healthiest of employees. The Bottom Line 2009 conference looks at workplace mental health in a broader social context. This includes perspectives from family members whose loved one has a mental illness and is in the workforce, from the employee caring for a family member with mental illness, and from employers.

The one-day conference will explore latest research and innovative resources available to enable employers, employees and family members with mental illness to access the help they need. Special attention will be paid to added pressures created by today’s unique economic conditions.

Ginny Dennehy, Director / Co-Founder of The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation, will be a part of the panel for this event.

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009-01-19
Time: 8:30-4:30
Venue: Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre 999 Canada Place, Vancouver BC
Organizer: Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
Event URL: www.bottomlineconference.ca

Keynote speakers include:
André Picard, Public Health Reporter for The Globe
Mail Matthew Good, recording artist
2008 Mental Health Voices Award Recipient
Don Buchanan, Child & Youth Mental Health Reporter

Register now:
Early bird registration ends January 31!

www.ok2bblue.com

The Lee Family suffered the tragic loss of their 18-year old daughter, Janice, to suicide in December 2006. Janice suffered throughout her teenage years with depression, anxiety mood disorders, panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. Mostly, she hid the depth of her illness – not only from family but also from her friends – suffering in silence for fear of the stigma and shame attached to any health issues relating to the mind, not wanting to be labelled “crazy”. She lost the battle.

Subsequent knowledge and education gained by the Lee Family made them realize that such mood disorder illnesses amongst our youth is now – in the words of one psychiatrist – “of epidemic proportions in all first world countries”.

Suicide is the second biggest killer of our young people after car accidents.

More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.

The highest risk group is aged 15 – 24 years (but can go much lower in age than that, or higher).

Jack and Margaret Lee also came to realize how little they themselves knew about what their daughter, Janice, was experiencing – ignorantly believing instead that they were just dealing with teenage moods, attitudes, etc. They had no-one to advise them that Janice might have had serious mental health issues and, in her choice of silence, there was no early medical intervention over the 6-year period when, from about age 12, she started to change from a bubbly, outgoing child into one of isolation and inability to connect with those around her.

Upon Janice’s death, Jack and Margaret Lee chose to expose to one and all the fact that their daughter had taken her own life. They were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of persons, both male and female, of all ages, who approached them with fears for either their own child, or of their own battles with depression at some period in their lives. Many parents continue to make contact, desperate for direction, where to go, what to do – and especially, what signs to watch for in a child who might well be struggling with some form of mental health issue such as depression, anxieties, panic attacks, etc.

It quickly became obvious to Jack and Margaret that the need is great. Action had to be taken. Hence the formation of the BLUEWAVE FOUNDATION. Much of the mandate of BLUEWAVE is clearly stated under the “Blue Wave Foundation” tab on the website. Rather than make this email an “epistle”, we would encourage you to visit the ok2bblue website (see link above).

But we would draw attention to one important project that is now being formulated: BLUEWAVE DAYS in junior high and high schools in all regional centres. Please look for more information on the website. It is a planned, one-day-a-year in the school year dedicated to a BLUEWAVE DAY. Much interest is already being shown by schools in various provinces. Again, there is an overwhelmingly positive response from young people in anticipation of such a program being initiated. The student council bodies will be encouraged to get involved, along with the students, in effecting change. Much more to be said on this – but please go to the website and read.

The website is and always will be a place of HOPE and encouragement to young people; a place where they can submit their own stories or quotes/poems, or read those of others; a place where they can watch educational video clips, listen to positive music and music videos. There is a movie video on the main page – clips from personal interviews one-on-one with young people who were bold enough to respond to the BLUEWAVE ad on Craigslist, to stand in front of camera and share their own struggles – their own journey in life so far. Their individual interviews can be viewed in full on the Video Clips page of the website . BLUEWAVE has nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for these young people, willing to speak out, knowing that it was safe to talk, that it’s OK to be Blue, and that together, they are part of the BLUEWAVE Movement to see change effected in our society. The Stigma and Shame attached to various health issues of the mind must and will end.

Of course a huge part of this tournament are the VOLUNTEERS that help make this event one of the top charity golf tournaments on the West Coast. We are looking for...

• 40 caddies
• 16 hole spotters
• 3 scorekeepers
• 3 score relay people
• 2 morning greeters
• 2 registration people

The tournament will take place on August 24th @ The Chateau Whistler golf course. If you would like to volunteer or know anybody that would please contact me. Learn more about the 2008 DRIVE FORE LIFE golf event itinerary.

This is a great community event and as we are in our final year we need to make this the best tournament possible.

Davin Moore
Community Youth Outreach Worker
Whistler Community Services Society
Tel. 604-938-3902
Email: davin@mywcss.org
Web: www.mywcss.org

This will be the final year for this event so we do hope that you can join us.

Your support is so much appreciated. We have had 7 wonderful years with this event but like all things... it's time for a change. The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation is still alive and well. We will continue to raise funds and support program to make a difference in depression related suicide in young people by taking a leadership role in education, effective treatments and research.

This years theme for our final event is "Celebrate"... celebrate Kelty’s life, our accomplishments, our partnerships, our sponsors, our volunteers... so that means every single one of you. We need to celebrate all that you have done over the years to help us make a difference for depression related suicide in young people.

We have Fab George and the Zodiac’s back for the Friday night Rock and Roll at Buffalo Bills, Saturday night Gala event at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler with Eric Waugh painting, Ali Milner in the Jazz Bar, the Azuure Dream Diva’s and many other surprises for the evening. Sunday we are up bright and early for the golf with breakfast in the Woodland Terrace, Golf at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler where there are many unbelievable prizes once again to win, back to the Woodlands Terrace for the wrap up BBQ and final thanks to all of you.

Prices for this Year's Events:
* Early Bird price of $500 (which includes the Gala, Breakfast, golf and wrap up BBQ)
* After Aug 2, 2008 the price is $550.00
* Gala Dinner $125 ( also includes, breakfast and BBQ)
* Rock and Roll at Buffalo Bills on Friday Aug 22 is 25.00 per person

Book Early as we are sure to fill up quickly for this years final event.

Thank you so much for your support. We do look forward to seeing you all.

More Info: http://www.thekeltyfoundation.org/golf1.htm
Online Registration: https://secure.thekeltyfoundation.org/regform.php
Online Donation: https://secure.thekeltyfoundation.org/donationform.php

Please pass this email on to those who you might think would be interested in attending.

Ginny Dennehy
The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation
8027 Nicklaus North Blvd
Whistler, BC V0N 1B8
Office: 604 938 3110
Cell: 604 935 4868

Friday, August 22, Rock & Roll Night - 7:00 to 11 p.m. "Fabulous George & The Zodiacs" entertain at Buffalo Bills night club in Whistler. Ticket are purchased with tournament registration or at the door of Buffalo Bills. $25 per person admission includes two complimentary drinks and lots of old time fun.

Saturday, August 23, Gala Dinner & Auction - 6:00 pm start This great event is hosted in the beautiful McDonald Ballroom at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The evening includes a fantastic line-up of special speakers and entertainment, a live painting performance by artist Eric Waugh and cocktails, dinner, silent & live auction with unique, theme and high-market items included.

Sunday, August 24, Breakfast, Golf Tournament and Wrap-up BBQ Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club or the Whistler Golf Course. Includes breakfast, golf tourney shot gun start with best ball scoring and prizes followed by a BarBQ.

Special accommodation rates for the weekend are also available at Whistler's Fairmont Chateau.

>> Get more DRIVE FORE LIFE information and register online.

The 2nd Biennial International Conference:
BRAIN DEVELOPMENT & LEARNING: MAKING SENSE OF THE SCIENCE
July 12-15, 2008
Sheraton Wall Center Hotel in Vancouver, BC

http://www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/bdl.html

"One of the best conferences I've been to in 20 years!"
(Inaugural Meeting Attendee)

DISCOUNT ON EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS on APRIL 11

This conference is intended solely as a public service to parents, educators, doctors, therapists, and others find out about breaking news in neuroscience and child development in a way they can understand and USE.

This year, world-famous researchers who are also outstanding speakers will present on:

** RESILIENCE ** in the face of Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, or Abuse including:
William Beardslee, Harvard Med Sch: Hope, Meaning & Continuity: Lessons Learned from Developing & Adapting Preventive Interventions for Depression in Families
Bruce Perry, Child Trauma Academy: The Impact of Trauma on Children: A Neurodevelopmental View of Resilience and Vulnerability

and on

Prefrontal Cortex / ADHD / Working-Memory / Self-Control including:
Rosemary Tannock, Univ. of Toronto & Hospital for Sick Kids, a pioneer in ADHD and co-developer of integrated multimedia resources on ADHD for teachers (www.teachadhd.ca)
Torkel Klingberg, who pioneered the role of computer games to improve working memory in children with ADHD (CogMed: www.drshred.ca/cogmed.php)

Besides lectures, meet & talk informally w/ speakers in small groups (max. 30 people) over lunch.

Conference schedule:
www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/BDL_subpages/schedule.html
More info on Speakers:
www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/BDL_subpages/presenters.html
Download a conference brochure:
Brochure in PDF format

Some registration scholarships are available and we will work with people to try to find housing with other conference participants or at less expensive hotels nearby.

For information and registration:
Visit: http://www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/bdl.html
Or Call: Toll free in Canada or US: 1-877-328-7744
Email: devcogneuro@gmail.com

* to raise awareness of the magnitude of depression and the effect it has on young people and our society. * to remove the stigma associated with depression by taking a leadership role in education, effective treatments, and the research effort.