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:

For more detailed information on the free public presentation series for Psychology Month, visit www.psychologists.bc.ca or call 604-730-0501.