Chat News photo courtesy Colton Mckee

By Chantal Wagner

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The conversation has to happen, CMHA encourages continued mental health talk

Sep 11, 2020 | 3:44 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) says the conversation around suicide prevention and mental health needs to happen 365 days a year.

Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator Breanne Mellen says we need to have conversations with friends and family to see how they’re doing.

Mellen is also the Chair of the Regional Suicide Prevention Council. That council is based in Medicine Hat but covers the entire southeast region of Alberta.

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On Thursday at the Be YOUth Centre, the CMHA connected with local kids during a rock painting activity.

Mellen says the project gave messages of hope, wellness, and resiliency for youth.

And the awareness that it’s okay to talk about suicide and mental health.

“So we’re starting to get more and more comfortable with mental health and suicide in our society. It’s kind of been brought to the forefront but we still have a little bit of work to do and a little ways to go. So that’s what we’re working on right now is breaking down more of those barriers and more of those walls. Making sure that everybody knows its okay to talk about this kind of stuff,” she said.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, resources are available.

The Canadian Mental Health Association offers education and support resources.

Private counsellors are available with Medicine Hat Counselling Collective

And there are supports if you work at an organization that has an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

“If you are an adult and like to text much more than talk with somebody you can text 45645 between the hours of 2pm and 10pm and talk with a counsellor via text. So that takes you to the Canadian Suicide Prevention Foundation,” Mellen said.

The Alberta Mental Health Help Line can be reached at 1-877-303-2642.

The Kids Help Phone can be reached at 1-800-668-6868

In the case of an emergency dial 9-1-1.