CMHA BC offers a wealth of helpful publications and products, many geared specifically for people living in BC communities. Here is a sampling of some of our most recent publications, but we have many more resources to offer, which you can order using this order form (215 Kb PDF).
Our resources include books, pamphlets and videos that cover topics such as early intervention, stress management, depression and anxiety disorders, workplace issues, grief, suicide, and much more. You'll even find office products, fun stress busters, clothes and posters.
Navigating BC's Mental Health System
A Guide to BC's Mental Health Resources
This handy newsprint guide, originally developed by CMHA BC Division and now regionally adapted, walks a reader through the range of community supports available in BC for mental health care. Extremely useful for someone new to BC or to the mental health system.
- Vancouver Coastal edition
- Okanagan edition (601 Kb PDF)
Self-Care and Recovery
Responding to the Call:
An Adult Picture Book on the Gift of Depression
CMHA was proud to be able to sponsor the printing of Responding to the Call: An Adult Picture Book on the Gift of Depression. The book is a beautiful and honest narrative on what the 'gift' of depression feels like on the inside, with full-colour artwork and accompanying messages of hope and recovery by Vernon artist Suzan Milburn. Suzan's creative gifts came out only through her journey with major depression. The first edition of this popular resource was launched in Vernon in 2005 to widespread acclaim. In 2006 and 2007, Suzan Milburn and Karen Six presented the insights from the book and their own journeys with depression in five community presentations across BC. One free copy of the book is available by request to people who care about mental health in BC; it is not available online at this time. Additional copies are $4 apiece plus shipping. Thanks to the province of BC for their support in printing this publication. To see a few sample images from the book, please visit Suzan's website.
Depression and Concurrent Conditions
If you have a medical condition, you are far more likely to have depression than someone who doesn't. Many people think that depression is "normal" when they have a medical condition, but when depression co-exists, it shouldn't be ignored. CMHA has prepared a guide to depression and concurrent conditions, complete with information and resources about depression and heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, thyroid disease, sexual dysfunction, PMS, digestive function, and substance use.
Depression Treatments
Get the facts about treating depression in CMHA's Guide to Depression Treatments. Learn the truth about the myths surrounding this illness, different strategies to help you cope, various types of available therapy, information about anti-depressant medication, and steps to getting help.
Storm Breaking Anthology: Experiences Through Mental Illness Into Recovery
Released during Mental Health Week 2002, this book (676K PDF) features the stories of twenty people from all walks of life, from across the province, who describe their attempts to get help for various forms of serious mental illnesses and talk about how they learned to live successfully with their illness. In addition to the stories, the book's final chapter describes a series of practical strategies that a person could adopt as they learn to live with their disorder. The book also contains a resource guide and a list of helpful web sites oriented towards people newly diagnosed. Several of the story authors were also participants in CMHA BC's groundbreaking BC Early Intervention Study.
Stopping the Misuse of Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a class of sleeping pills and tranquilizers that are often prescribed to help people deal with sleep problems, muscle tension, anxiety, depression and stress. These medications can be helpful in the short-term, but when taken over the long term can cause physical and mental dependency and withdrawal symptoms. This factsheet, developed by a project called the Women's Well-Being Group, describes the issue in-depth and provides suggestions for avoiding or dealing with withdrawal.
