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Surprising Morning!

A big surprise today as I was chosen by our Mayor Brian Bowman, to be the first ever Winnippegger of the Month! I would like to thank Ace, Mayor Brian Bowman, and Virgin 103 for all the support they've given me! And another big thank you for the great start to my day this morning! I am truly grateful and honoured to have been chosen, thank you!
Full Video Link Here: https://www.facebook.com/VirginRadioWinnipeg/videos/758480210947012/?fref=nf :)

A Short Message

My two twitter videos on my short little message for the weekend :-)

Part 1:
https://twitter.com/loizzaaquino/status/648305379881844736

Part 2:
https://twitter.com/loizzaaquino/status/648306861553221632?lang=en

After YAMIS

I will soon be writing into detail about YAMIS (Youth Against Mental Illness Stigma) but for now, I have the news story covers and articles links below. Thank you!

Peace of CTV Night News:

http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=707222&playlistId=1.2569067&binId=1.1164782&playlistPageNum=1

Peace of Mind on Global TV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMJlbKx1to4

Peace of Mind on CBC (RAW Video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaNNCTRHDTc
or
http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Manitoba/ID/2675702905/

Peace of Mind on CTV Morning Show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePBwxp4ziM4

Peace of Mind on CBC (Article and Video):

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-students-call-for-funds-to-show-teachers-how-to-spot-mental-illness-1.3232856

Global News Article:

http://globalnews.ca/news/2226303/youth-against-mental-illness-stigma-group-speaking-up-in-winnipeg/

Winnipeg Sun

The Metro

I would like to thank everybody who came out to YAMIS. Especially Ace Burpee and Peter Takis for helping me run everything smoothly, and hosting the event! Thank you to the news reporters as well who have helped me share the story and spark conversation across the province!

Peace of Mind 204

Good morning!

Today's blog post will be on the committee I started called Peace of Mind 204, and the event we are hosting to speak up against the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. 

It all started in May 2015, when I put together a group of teenagers across the province that were interested in helping me on my journey to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Since then, we have been working towards our first ever event, Youth Against Mental Illness Stigma. It will be taking place on Thursday, September 17th from 10AM-2PM at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People (the MTYP, 2 Forks Market Road). During the summer we had a fundraiser to help pay for the venue, however we are coming up a bit short and still taking donations online at http://www.gofundme.com/pom204. Any funds we will not be using to pay for the venue will be donated to a mental health association.

(TJAM Bakes will be selling their baked goods throughout the day. During lunch break we will also be selling pizza, and a limited amount of treats graciously donated by Jenna Rae Cakes.)

The event will be hosted by Virgin 103's Ace Burpee and Peter Takis, and will consist of numerous local speakers and performers. Peace of Mind is thankful to have many talented performers joining us for the day, such as Reynalyne Gacilan, and JAMtv. We are also glad to announce that we will be having our Premier, Mr. Greg Selinger join us for the morning, as well as Taylor Demetrioff from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Speakers will be on stage sharing their experiences around
mental illnesses, and speak about why it is so important to take care of yourself and never lose hope.
The unique part about YAMIS is that there will be an open floor session at the end. It is a chance for everybody to be heard and share their stories. Though the room will be filled with a wide diversity of  students and families across the province- it is a safe space where everybody is equal and able to be heard.

The stigma can only be erased by speaking out about mental health, and having a conversation. We encourage youth in our province to come share their story and create an environment where we can freely talk about mental health. It is not attention seeking to speak about our mental illnesses, it is not weak to ask for help, it is okay to be scared of change- but it is not okay to settle for a society less than we deserve. We hope that this event will help emphasize change is in our hands. It is in the hands of the teachers, students, parents, youth, and adults. The stigma can successfully be ended, but we all have our own important role in being a part of the resolution. As humans we have the right to freedom of speech. According to the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, we also have the right to the best health care possible (Article 24). Often we forget health has more than a physical aspect, as it includes mental health.
  

We believe that this event will start a chain reaction across Manitoba and will inspire others to share their stories. Our goal is to eliminate the taboo that continues to surround the topic of mental health. The resolution to erasing the stigma from our society today is starting a conversation. There has been far too many lives cut short lately, especially in our province. Some of those young lives were close to the hearts of numerous members in our group. The recent tragic events have been a very big part of the reason we are striving to make a change. 

Someone once told me the stigma behind mental health is like bullying— it can never be one- hundred percent erased from the world. However, I took the words as a challenge because I truly believe that the stigma can slowly fade away by starting a simple conversation. Peace of Mind is made up of teenagers across the province who agree that a change needs to happen. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), twenty-four percent of all deaths among 15-24 year olds in Canada, are by suicide. Unfortunately mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, are extremely relatable to the youth of our society today. We all have our own struggles, our own stories, our own battle. We all have our own strengths, weaknesses, and purpose. We are all individuals, unique, worth something. If it is not happy, it is not the end. It really is a beautiful life— let’s make sure that we’re all here to see it. 

Loizza Aquino

Contact information:
Personal Contact Info:
E-mail: loizzaaquino1@gmail.com
Twitter: @loizzaaquino

Peace of Mind Contact Info:
E-Mail: peaceofmind204@gmail.com
Twitter/Instagram: @204PeaceofMind
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PeaceOfMind204

Suicide Prevention Day

Today is Suicide Prevention Day and I decided to write my very first blog post with the theme of suicide and mental illness. The topic of suicide tends to be something that is often connected to mental health, and awareness for both topics hits very close to home for me. Growing up, I had a childhood best friend that had mental health issues. He really opened my eyes to the lack of awareness surrounding such an important topic. Recently, that friend of mine passed away by suicide on June 17th, 2015. I continue to advocate for mental health and suicide awareness, as there is a very thick stigma covering the topic.

If you know me, you would know that I absolutely love public speaking. I enjoy being out there and getting my voice heard. There is nothing I love more than being contacted by new people, getting interviewed, and talking to others. However, as much as I love speaking- I had to do the most frightening and heartbreaking speech I have ever done. I was asked to a eulogy for my best friends funeral. It is rare for me to shake and get nervous to speak in front of a couple hundred people, but this time wasn't like any other time. I had to say goodbye to someone who helped me become the person I am, and the reason why I was so passionate with helping other people. I remember walking home with him, having conversations, laughing and smiling. Then next thing I know, I'm doing a speech at his funeral next to his open casket. The reason why I have been advocating for social change around the stigma of mental illness, is because I never want anybody to experience what I did.

My friend was very much loved by others. He was loud, outgoing, and had a smile that nobody in the world could describe with any words because it just wouldn't do it justice. To our high school, he was definitely a big part of everyones happiness. It's safe to say that he made school more fun than it should've been for everyone around him. He was raised by a loving family, which he loved to tell me about. We were basically siblings. We had ups and downs as well- but no matter what happened we could always get over it and start again. The thing about him is that he wouldn't even know you and he would tell you to have a good night and ask who you are. He would bend over backwards for somebody that he doesn't even know.

Being in a close friendship with him more several years taught me many things. It taught me that sometimes, you just have to drop everything else and take care of yourself. He taught me that love knows no boundaries, and kindness no matter how small is appreciate. He taught me that it doesn't matter what anybody thinks of you as long as you take care of yourself. He taught me that there's always going to be something you don't like about somebody, but accepting them for who they are and loving their flaws and perfections is the most important thing you can learn in life. 

Throughout the last couple of months, I have been in contact with people such as Manitoba’s Minister of Education, my Superintendent, administrators, etc. to brainstorm ways we can make changes. I believe that the best way to end the stigma is to talk about it. Schools can do things as simple as dedicating 5 minutes of one or a couple days a week, to catch up with their students and see how they’re doing outside of school. Presentations from mental health associations are also a very big contributing factor to sparking conversation within the school. In general, I believe that we need to stress that it is okay to ask for help. We need to really convey the message, that getting help being the strongest thing you can do.

The last couple of months, I started my own group called Peace of Mind 204. We are a group made up of teenagers across Manitoba who are striving to make a change in the lack of awareness surrounding these topics. The first event hosted by us will be on September 17th, where we will have local speakers and performers come out to talk about our stories. Our program also includes an open floor speech time for anybody wishing to share their personal experience with mental health.

Today is the day to remember those who were gone before us, and to respect those fighting the battle. Today is the day to speak up against the stigma, and save one life at a time.

Loizza Aquino