VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- February marks Psychology Month in British Columbia and the BC Psychological Association (BCPA) is raising awareness of the role psychology plays in lives, jobs and communities with free public presentations across Metro Vancouver and in Victoria.
Presentation topics include gender identity in children and youth, suicide, couples’ therapy and overcoming depression caused by stress and trauma. The World Health Organization has determined depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. More than 300 million people are now living with depression – an increase of more than 18 per cent in 10 years.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada estimates the economic burden of mental illness to the Canadian economy is more than $50 billion per year. The Public Health Agency of Canada says one in five Canadians will face a psychological disorder in their lifetime and mental illness accounts for 30 per cent of short and long term disability claims.
BCPA hopes the presentation series will raise awareness that effective psychological treatments exist for the vast majority of mental illnesses and where the public can access treatment.
“Mental illness and addiction have a profound effect on everyone - in all walks of life and in all our communities. It affects families, the economy and the health care system” says Dr. Marilyn Chotem, president of the BC Psychological Association. “Psychologists can help people affected by mental illness and addiction through our referral service and by providing evidence-based treatment solutions to government that can effectively treat those suffering from mental illness and addiction.
“We hope that Psychology Month will encourage people to think and talk about their mental health, which is why we are offering free public talks in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Victoria in English, Punjabi and Mandarin.”
BCPA operates a province-wide free psychologist referral service. Patients can search for a Registered Psychologist by city, client type, area of practice, therapy method and language by visiting www.psychologists.bc.ca/find_psychologist_full or by calling: 1-800-730-0522 or 604-730-0522.
The following talks are sponsored by BCPA:
| Date & Time | Title/Presenter | Location/ Contact |
| Thursday February 1st 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Gender Identity in Children and Youth Dr. Wallace Wong | VPL Central Branch 350 West Georgia, Vancouver |
| Monday February 5th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Understanding and Coping with Anxiety Dr. Alina Sotskova | Hillcrest Community Centre 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver |
| Tuesday February 6th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | The Heart of Love Dr. Veronica Kallos-Lilly | VPL Britannia Branch 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver |
| Thursday February 8th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Suicide: 13 Reasons Why & 14 reasons Why Not Dr. Patrick Myers and Nina Sakovic | BPL Tommy Douglas Branch 7311 Kingsway, Burnaby |
| Thursday February 15th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Supporting Young Adults Heading to Post-secondary Dr. Manbeena Sekhon – Talk in Punjabi | VPL South Hill branch 6076 Fraser St, Vancouver |
| Sunday February 18th 2018 2.00pm-3.30pm | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat | BPL McGill Branch 4595 Albert St, Burnaby |
| Monday February 19th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Psychology and Trauma Dr. Michael Sheppard | Hillcrest Community Centre 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver |
| Monday February 19th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Helping Your Child Overcome Anxiety Dr. Carlton Duff | Burnside Gorge Community Centre 471 Cecelia Road, Victoria |
| Tuesday February 20th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Anxiety in Children Dr. Mandy Chen – Talk in Mandarin | Richmond Caring Place Society 7000 Minoru Blvd, Richmond |
| Thursday February 22nd 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Enhancing Psychological Wellness and Resiliency Dr. Joti Samra | Roundhouse Community Centre 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver |
| Saturday February 24th 2018 1.30pm-3.00pm (Time to be confirmed) | Be the Best Version of Yourself Dr. Sara David | Port Moody Public Library 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody |
| Sunday February 25th 2018 2.00pm-3.30pm | Supporting Young Adults Heading to Post-secondary Dr. Manbeena Sekhon – Talk in Punjabi | Newton Library, Surrey 13795 70th Ave, Surrey |
| Monday February 26th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Parenting Challenging Behaviours Dr. Janet Mah | VPL Kitsilano Branch 2425 MacDonald St, Vancouver |
| Tuesday February 27th 2018 7.00pm-8.30pm | Beyond Judgment Dr. Noah Susswein | VPL Central Branch 350 West Georgia, Vancouver |
For more detailed information on the free public presentation series for Psychology Month, please visit www.psychologists.bc.ca or call 604-730-0501.
About BC Psychological Association
Established in 1938, the British Columbia Psychological Association (BCPA) and its members are committed to supporting the emotional health and psychological well-being of British Columbians. BCPA believes that all British Columbians deserve access to high-quality, clinically proven psychological care provided by Registered Psychologists.
For more information, please contact:
Alyn Edwards
Ph: 604-689-5559
Cell: 604-908-7231
aedwards@peakco.com