It’s Ok Not To Be Ok.

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Don’t Let me go – By Wali Shah

Growing up as an immigrant, South Asian boy – we never talked about mental health at home. We only spoke about getting good grades.

We never spoke about the anxiety I had going to school because I was bullied for being Muslim – my parents were too busy working multiple jobs to provide for me, even though they faced the same treatment at work.

We never spoke about the suicidal ideations I had after I was nearly killed by a drunk driver in University. We only spoke about how soon I’d be able to walk properly again.

This is why this poem matters. These lyrics are the conversations young men, like me, are having with themselves all the time. Because mental health isn’t something our parents learned about. Because our male friends might find us weak.

This poem is to break this stigma, and to share OUR story. We are not the statistics. We are the faces.

Thank you to the Pixel Foundation for giving me a platform to share my story and a voice to all Canadians living with mental illness, so no one struggles alone.

Pixel Foundation Resources

We have compiled stories, articles and resources from our partners so you can keep up to date on the latest information about mental health initiatives, services and research in Canada.
From coast to coast, our partners are spearheading forward-thinking and impactful initiatives to remove the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Check back often for updates.
Pixel Foundation - Mental Health Minute

Pixel Foundation Event

To celebrate Mental Health Week 2023 in Canada, the Pixel Foundation hosted a panel discussion – “Feeling to Healing: A Creator’s Journey to Better Mental Health”, held at Henry’s @185 Creators Studio with five incredibly talented creatives. All proceeds from the panel went to support the CAMH Foundation – a partner of the Pixel Foundation.

Mariah Owen was our moderator for the evening. She was joined by Dr. Chantalle Clarkin (CAMH), Brigitte Truong, Ajani Charles & Gregor Reynolds –  storytellers and creatives with lived experience of mental illness, who spoke about their experiences as creators and shared their perspectives through their work. Take a look at the six short videos below:

Feeling to Healing: A Creator's Journey to Better Mental Health

On Thursday, May 4, 2023, I was part of a fantastic panel entitled Feeling To Healing: A Creator’s Journey To Better Mental Health, produced by the Pixel Foundation in partnership with CAMH: The Centre For Addiction And Mental Health, which took place at Henry’s new location at 185 Church Street in Toronto.

Looking Back on Nearly Three Years of the Pixel Foundation

We launched the Pixel Foundation on March 12, 2020, with no idea of the turmoil the world was about to fall into. When we closed our stores just days later as part of efforts to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 case counts, we assumed, as did most people, that we’d be shut down for a couple of weeks at most. Soon it became clear that the pandemic was not going to be a short-term event, but we were determined to stay the course for our foundation.

I’m a CEO and I Have Bipolar Disorder: It’s Time to Share My Story

Why did we decide to support mental health? Lots of reasons. But the big one is that it hits close to home: we have mental illness in our family. Our immediate family.
But it’s not something we’ve talked about publicly. It’s not a secret, but we’ve kept it quiet. Now we’re telling our story loud and clear to show others struggling with their mental health that we are not letting these challenges define us.

CEO of iconic Canadian retail chain opens up about being bipolar

Gillian Stein, CEO Henry’s shares her story with the Financial Post Magazine about her journey living with BiPolar Disorder in what we believe is a first for a CEO in Canada. Thank you to Gillian for showing others that by sharing her story they can lead fulfilling lives by knowing that they are not alone and continuing to remove the stigma of talking about mental illness openly. We’re so proud of her bravery in sharing one of her #Uncapturedmoments in hopes that others will do the same

Understanding your Window of Tolerance

Since the start of the pandemic, having a routine and feeling connected to others has been more difficult than ever, especially for young people. From adapting to changing health guidelines to adjusting to different ways of learning, it’s OK if your mental health is feeling challenged in new and different ways.

Mental illness associated with poor sleep quality according to largest study of its kind

CAMH study the first to objectively measure sleep patterns on a large scale in people with mental illness compared to the general population.

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Pink Shirt Day: Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Tomorrow is Pink Shirt Day – a day dedicated to treating everyone with respect and dignity. With 1 in 3 youths in Canada bullied, we asked Maxine, a member of the National Youth Council at Kids Help Phone – What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone who is experiencing bullying?

Global Heroes Magazine Feature

If there’s ever been a time when it’s ok to not be ok, the time is now. We’re all dealing with various levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. It’s time to shine a spotlight on mental health and to actively get involved in ways to support mental wellness. Check out our full feature article on pages 74-75 in the Global Heroes Magazine.

What is bullying?
Some people may call it harassment, abuse, meanness or drama. However bullying is labelled, it’s always considered to be harmful and unwanted behavior. Bullying is done on purpose and is usually repeated.
How to help a friend who’s experiencing bullying?
Finding out your friend is experiencing bullying is never easy. You may feel sad, scared or even angry about what your friend is going through. Even if you feel helpless, remember there are things you can do to help.
CAMH & Bullying Does not end after school...or does it?
Many of us have experiences with bullying. Whether we’ve been bullied or have bullied another person, most of us convince ourselves that it ends after we get our high school diploma. The past is behind us – but is it really?
Mental Health 101: Jack.org Virtual Talks
Jack.org is a charity that trains and empowers young leaders who are revolutionizing mental health. They are working towards a Canada where all young people understand how to take care of their own mental health and look out for each other.
Funded Programs
We invest donor dollars in mental health & addiction programs that promote healing, skill-development, mental health literacy, and peer support. Our funding helps Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addiction, and their loved ones, recover and reclaim their lives in treatment and during recovery in their own communities.
Not suicide. Not today.
When we all say Not Today together, it’s easier to say it when we’re alone. This is a pledge—a promise—to do everything we can to prevent suicide and stop mental illness from destroying lives. Stories of strength and resilience in the face of adversity—a reminder that no one has to die by suicide. Not today.
Asante said Not Today.
Asante Haughton agreed to volunteer for CAMH’s Not suicide. Not today. campaign for one reason and one reason only. “I am doing this so I can be a voice for people who look like me.” Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto by a single mother, whatever the normal arc of his childhood would have been was derailed.
COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
COVID-19 has, and will, impact the mental health of people everywhere. Kids Help Phone has seen an unprecedented surge of young people feeling more stressed than usual reaching out during this global pandemic. Finding accurate information and appropriate resources can be hard.
Be There for those you love
Being there for someone is an art, not a science. There’s no formula or instruction manual because every situation is different. Be There Basics will help you learn how to recognize when someone might be struggling with their mental health and gives you 5 Golden Rules to help you support and be there for them.

Getting Help.

How to: Coping with Stress & Anxiety
Helping a friend who isn't okay
How to cope with social distancing during COVID-19
Looking out for your mental health
How to: Digital Detox
Support the young people in your life during COVID-19
How to: Handle being in quarantine
Working from home & Mental Health
Follow Pixel Foundation for tips and resources.
Facebook & Instagram:
@thepixelfoundation
Twitter:
@PixelFndation

Sign up for the Pixel Foundation newsletter to stay up to date on new initiatives, partnerships, events and more.

En moyenne, plus de 10 Canadiens meurent du suicide chaque jour.

- Santé publique Canada

Si vous ou quelqu’un que vous connaissez a besoin d’aide, veuillez appeler la ligne de Crise de la Santé Mentale au 1-888-893-8333

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On average, more than 10 Canadians die by suicide every day.

- Public Health Canada

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-833-456-4566

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