SMH Day at UFV Abbotsford Oct.12, 2010

SMH Days on Campus Allows UFV Abbotsford to Share Mental Health Strategies, Challenges and Research with Other Top Schools Across Canada

SMH Day at UFV Abbotsford Sponsors

Keep Up to Date on SMH Day at UFV

SMH Afternoon Show at the Abbotsford campus, B101

SMH is Proud to Bring an Accredited Program into UFV in January 2011.

SMH UFV teaches Fraser Valley comics to create and perform their own comedy material about their mental health journeys.

We will also collaborate with UFV departments of Social Work, Nursing and Others

Message from
Mark Evered
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of the Fraser Valley

David Granirer, counselor, stand-up comic and author, says, "Most people think you have to be nuts to do stand-up comedy. We offer it as a form of therapy!" Wonderful therapy for the comedians and for us, too! Once again, on October 12, the University of the Fraser Valley welcomes David and the talented entertainers of Stand Up for Mental Health. Don't miss it!

David created Stand Up for Mental Health to teach stand-up comedy to people with mental illness, as therapy, as a way of empowering them, and as a way to entertain and educate the rest of us. These remarkable comedians share with us the lighter side of their mental illnesses, getting diagnosed, taking medication, seeing counselors, and surviving the mental health system. And through shared laughter they challenge us all to confront the public stigma, prejudice, and discrimination associated with mental illness.

It is remarkable that in spite of the great advances that have been made in understanding the underlying neuroanatomical, neurochemical and environmental causes, many still struggle with the fears, prejudices and superstitions associated with mental illness and its treatments. Mental illness is not a rare disorder. Many of us have had to deal with the challenges of a mental illness, either personally or in family members, friends, or colleagues.

I am grateful for the work of our counselors at UFV who have joined with BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions to offer free screening and education on campus about depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and risky behaviours. The Globe and Mail reported recently (Anderssen, Sept 20, 2009) that the number of university students struggling with mental health problems is increasing in Canada. About 15% of university students in Canada will be diagnosed with mental health problems while at school. Especially alarming is the estimate that more than half of those with a mental illness will not seek help. We must commit to changing that.

We are pleased to extend to David Granirer and this troupe of comedians a traditional warm UFV welcome. Thank you for sharing this important work with us in such an engaging and entertaining way.