Great Minds Think Alike

by Mind Over Matter V 14:

Recognition for the Initiative

As Women’s Brain Health Initiative (WBHI) approaches its landmark tenth anniversary, there are multiple signs that the charitable foundation is having an impact and truly making a difference. There was a huge boost of support for WBHI with the news that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) approved a substantial grant of $716,000 from the Dementia Strategic Fund for a two-year brain health awareness campaign. This direct funding from the federal government was a powerful signal that decision makers recognize the importance of WBHI’s mission. 

There are big plans for the initiative, all growing out of WBHI’s flagship information vehicle, the magazine you are reading. The Mind Over Matter® brand is now branching out to multimedia channels. We have just launched a podcast and video series, delivering our messages about brain health in engaging ways that will reach new audiences.  

The first video features nutritionist, caterer, and cookbook author Rose Reisman with great advice about “mindful eating,” while the debut podcast focuses on the importance of exercise, with guest Dr. Jennifer Heisz, a brain health expert who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University and Director of the NeuroFit Lab.  

These are new initiatives for WBHI and we are keen to hear what you think because your feedback will help shape the focus of future programs. 

Coming soon, thanks to the PHAC grant, is a Mind Over Matter® App, which will bring you essential information about the “six pillars” of brain health and the ways in which you can reduce your risk of cognitive decline. In addition to the PHAC funding, these exciting new platforms are made possible thanks to our program partners York University, BitBakery, TELUS, RBC, Home Instead, The Citrine Foundation of Canada, and RB33.

WBHI is also thrilled with the reception for our new educational initiative, Brainable™. It is an innovative program that expands our reach to a new and younger audience – students in grades five through eight. We believe that it is never too early to start learning about how to take care of your brain, which is why Jade Crystal (a member of WBHI’s Young Person’s Cabinet) developed a learning module that tailors essential brain health messages for middle schoolers. 

Brainable™ was tested in ten Ontario schools in the fall of 2021, with the feedback used to fine-tune the materials before rolling out the program to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) starting in January of 2022. The response was overwhelming with bookings quickly filling up, putting the program well on track to meeting its goal of reaching 5,000 students by the end of June 2022, all at no cost to the schools, thanks to the generosity of the Ontario Ministry of Education and WBHI donors.  

It has quickly become clear that there is a strong demand for the Brainable™ program, and we are actively exploring avenues for bringing it to many more students across the country.

The WBHI messages about brain health and supporting research that explores the differences between the sexes are resonating at the highest levels. Health Canada’s declaration that December 2nd would be recognized nationally as Women’s Brain Health Day gave official recognition to the cause and brought a greater sense of occasion to our signature viral fundraising initiative, Stand Ahead®. 

At our December 2021 virtual event, two federal ministers spoke in support, with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, citing the joint funding provided by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) for the Wilfred and Joyce Posluns Chair in Women's Brain Health and Aging, held by Dr. Gillian Einstein at the University of Toronto. 

“It’s been truly important for the Government of Canada to fund leading-edge research into women’s brain health,” said Bennett. 

“Gillian Einstein is translating research into gender and sex-sensitive interventions to improve brain health in aging women.” 

The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, added: “On behalf of our government, thank you for every single thing that you have done and for your dedication for protecting women’s brain health from coast to coast.”

Perhaps the highest compliment bestowed on WBHI came when we learned in December that our founder and president, Lynn Posluns, was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, one of our nation’s highest civilian honours. Presented by the Governor General, the Order recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation.  Lynn was cited for her “contribution to research on cognitive health and aging through the founding of Women’s Brain Health Initiative.” 

We could not have said it better. Lynn never fails to recognize our many donors, supporters, and friends for the success of this charity. The WBHI family celebrates with pride this well-deserved honour for her.