Sportscaster Michael Landsberg brings message of hope
Jewish Child and Family Service hosts seminar, resource fair on depression on Nov. 3
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This article was published 31/10/2016 (3574 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Jewish community is opening a dialogue on mental health with the help of a national sportscaster.
Jewish Child and Family Service (JCFS) is bringing in TSN’s Michael Landsberg to Shaarey Zedek Synagogue (561 Wellington Cresc.) on Nov. 3 for a seminar titled “Can We Talk About… Depression.”
The presentation and following question and answer period, facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Warren and the CBC’s Marcy Markusa, is part of an ongoing speakers series hosted by JCFS. Past topics have included addictions, grief, and family values.
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Al Benarroch, executive director of JCFS, said the evening is an opportunity to help the community at large to break past barriers and stigma that often prevent people from seeking help and speaking about their struggle.
“The intent of the speaker series has been to try to bring the difficult social family issues out to the surface. So the ones that people are hushed about, that they don’t really want to talk about,” Benarroch explained.
“We’ve seen, on our micro level, the various barriers that individuals in our community have to accessing resources, and finding support for themselves in dealing with their mental health… we felt that if we can play a small part in raising this issue to the forefront then we are working in partnership with the rest of the community.”
Landsberg, who has been a part of TSN’s programming since 1984, is an ambassador with Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk” campaign which promotes an ongoing discussion about mental health.
Landsberg lives with depression and talks openly about his recovery in an effort to promote mental health awareness. He has also created a social media community under the banner of #SickNotWeak which has spurred a charity to support people living with mental illness and those that care for them.
According to Benarroch, Landsberg’s presentation is one of hope and healing and carries a message that also reaches a niche audience.
“We thought what an interesting way to talk about depression and possibly connect with the male population, which may be inclined to not talk about it, through the world of sports.
“He will talk about his journey battling depression and the ongoing recovery that individuals with mental illness struggle with to move forward and be very productive.”
While the session will take place in a synagogue and is hosted by a Jewish organization, Benarroch emphasizes that all cultural and faith groups are welcome to become a part of the conversation.
“Mental illness crosses all barriers, it crosses ethnic, faith and socio-economic (lines). It crosses all sectors and sure there are things we could do to talk about certain faith based aspects to treating it, but that is not the intent of this evening,” Benarroch said.
Tickets to “Can We Talk About… Depression” are $30 for adults and $18 for students and seniors and can be purchased by calling JCFS at 204-477-7430 or online at jcfswinnipeg.org
The evening will also feature a resource fair with mental health and wellness organizations. Landsberg will begin his presentation at 7 p.m. and the entire event will run about two hours.