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Spirit 2004 Charity Tournament

On Saturday, September 18th, I will be participating in the Spirit 2004 Ultimate Tournament here in Ottawa.
The purpose of the tournament is to raise money for various mental health charities in the Ottawa Valley and to increase awareness about mental health conditions. One in five Canadians will experience some form of mental disorder over the course of their lives; 1 in 10 will be the victim of a major episode of depression. With a waiting time of upwards of 6 months to see a provincially covered mental health professional, most people must pay for care out of their own pockets if they choose to seek help at all. More than half of all people who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have not addressed their concerns with a physician. This may be the result of the archaic beliefs most people have about mental illness; to this day, people are faced with the attitude that a mental disorder is something that can easily be rectified by a change in attitude or increased strength of character.
Mental illness, like cancer, is a disease that must be treated aggressively and as soon as possible. Take the time to find out about the resources that are available to you, your friends, and your family members by visiting the Canadian Mental Health Association Web site. You don't need to sign a cheque to make a pledge of support.