Stress, depression, anxiety: Markham Stouffville Hospital unites to empower women's mental health services
As women continue to disproportionately experience impacts to their mental health compared to men, Shoppers Drug Mart and Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation are joining forces to empower women’s mental wellness and advocacy through an annual run.
On May 26, over 2,000 community supporters participated in the annual Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women in Markham.
The long-standing partnership between Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health and MSH Foundation has raised $430,000 to date. These funds will continue to enable Women’s Wellness programs for the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Mental Health Services at the hospital.
The Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women, which aims to bring communities together to support local women’s programs, is the largest event series in Canada dedicated to women’s mental health.
Support from the Run for Women Markham over the past nine years has helped shape the hospital’s Women’s Wellness services, which include an art therapy group, a mindfulness-based stress reduction group, interpersonal psychotherapy group and a support group for women who have been identified with or are at risk of postpartum depression. These programs are open to all existing patients of Oak Valley Health through referral.
“Every year, the need for mental health services is growing,” says Teresa Givelas, patient care manager, outpatient mental health, Oak Valley Health. “Our teams rely on donor support to continue providing diverse mental health care and access to programs dedicated to women’s wellness.”
There is still time to support women’s mental health in the community. Until July 1, donations made toward the Markham run will make double the impact (up to $50,000) thanks to the Nanji Family Foundation. Donate online at runforwomen.ca/Markham.
Scarlett Liu, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Markham Economist & Sun
