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HealthZamuner's great lengths for mental healthBy Angela BlackburnOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFWe've got to do a better job.akvilles Frank Zamuner goes to Frank Zamuner,great lengths for the local mental Oakville residentOhealth day program.It says so outside the door of the pro-grams newly renovated and enlarged group room in Halton Healthcare Services Outpatient Mental Health Services on Dorval When Zamuner came through a triple Drive.heart bypass with flying colours in 2005, he Zamuner, 75, makes an annual swima-was admittedly knocked for a complete sur-thon his means of raising funds and prise when he found himself diagnosed with awareness for local mental health issues depression in its wake.and services.After the surgery I found I couldnt However, while pleased with his accom-sleep. After about a week of not sleeping, I plishment Zamuner repeats, Weve got to started feeling like I just didnt want to get do a better job.up out of bed. I really didnt want to do any-Touting local mental health care workers thing at all and I was feeling sorry for myself. as first-rate, Zamuner hopes others will fol-That was the beginning of it, said low his lead.Zamuner.He's not just raising funds. Hes raising An active person, Zamuner was chal-awareness.lenged by a less active lifestyle after sur-The case for mental health wellness gery.depends on both. Often mired in stigma, the While looking for help he found out how programs are not always highly funded and great a need there is for psychiatrists, psy-the wait for treatment is often lengthy. Its chologists, therapists and related medical up to the health care system, corporations equipment. and individuals to get involved.Feeling down temporarily is totally dif-Zamuner said mental illness does not ferent than having depression.discriminate; it affects people from all walks Depression is a disorder with biological, of life, young and old, rich and poor.psychological, and interpersonal compo-He hopes to take away the stigma, shame nents it is not a personal weakness or and misconception away from mental ill-failure.ness.Zamuner credits his family and wife for Zamuner, husband of Lea and father of a sticking by him and the day program for grown daughter and son (Mark who played MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVERgetting him back to good health.professional hockey with the NHL) had a Zamuner, a long-time swimmer, swims triple heart bypass and then found himself WALKING THE WALK:Frank Zamuner pose for the picture during grand opening of the newas therapy.struggling with depression.group room for the mental health day program at Halton Healthcare Services Outpatient Mental HealthFriday, he had the honour of cutting the The Zamuners have lived in Oakville Services.since 1965.See Frank's page 2625 Thursday, June 9, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com