By Kallyn Heidinger

Mental Health Week begins May 4th

Apr 27, 2020 | 8:55 AM

This year, Mental Health Week is May 4th – May 10th, 2020. The purpose of this week is to raise awareness about mental health and end the stigma, discrimination and shame that surrounds this topic. This is a national, annual event which encourages all people to talk about, learn and reflect on mental health issues. The first Mental Health Week was launched by Canadian Mental Health Association in 1951, at a time before universal health care or social media. It has now become an annual tradition across Canada. This year will be the 69th annual Mental Health Week coordinated by Canadian Mental Health Association.

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic that has been experienced on a global scale this year, mental health week will be an incredibly important time for all. As people participate in physical distancing, it is important to stay socially connected in order to take care of our mental health. The rapid changes that have taken place in the last few months can be incredibly difficult for some. By taking part in mental health week, people can reduce the stigma of mental health and make it easier for those who are struggling to reach out for help.

Typically, there are many events across Canada that take place during the first weeks in May in honour of Mental Health Week. Last year, Canadians “got loud” about what mental health really means. The goal was to separate the differences between mental health and mental illness and get rid of the confusion that drives the stigma of mental health. Canadians were to get loud about the fact that all people have mental health and to celebrate and recognize the role good mental health plays in living a fulfilling life.

Messages about mental health have flooded social media since last year with hashtags such as #MentalHealthWeek and #GetLoud in order to show support and end the stigma for those who are impacted by mental health issues. This year, CMHA is asking you to not only #GetLoud but also #GetReal. Instead of saying we’re fine, let’s use the opportunities we have to really connect and be truthful about how we feel. In times of crisis like these, people need each other more than ever.

Mental Health Week toolkits and resources can also be downloaded for free online at the Canadian Mental Health Association website. The School Toolkit has been effective in bringing Mental Health Week into classrooms across Canada. These toolkits include information on resources available and activities that can be done with children to promote mental health. In the midst of this pandemic, parents are also able to access these resources and participate in activities from home. People are encouraged to take part in Getting Loud and Real about mental health by using the information and resources provided. Instagram is also supporting mental health week by adding a sticker when #GetReal is typed into the sticker search bar.

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After the 2018 campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement which stated that the “Government of Canada has been working with provinces and other partners to improve access to mental health services.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also credited Canadian Mental

Health Association for leading this campaign every year. Canadian Mental Health Association also released a policy paper in 2018 that highlights promotion of Mental Health week so Canadians can stay loud about mental health all year long. These resources may be found online at https://cmha.ca and https://mentalhealthweek.ca/toolkit/.

Canadian Mental Health- Alberta Southeast Region has put together a new wellness blog that can be accessed at https://cmhawellness.wordpress.com/. This resource will contain tips for taking care of your mental health during the pandemic as well as afterwards. Coping skills, self-care tools for stress and anxiety and crisis resources can be found here as well.

This article was written by Kallyn Heidinger, Community Helpers Program Coordinator. For more information, please contact Canadian Mental Health Association- Alberta Southeast Region by phone at (403)-504-1811 or online at www.cmha-aser.ca.