Photo courtesy Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation Facebook page

By Chantal Wagner

coffee for a cause

“You Matter” day supports mental health and local businesses tomorrow

Sep 24, 2020 | 1:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A cup of coffee, tea, or an oil change on Friday, Sept. 25 will also help mental health initiatives in our city while supporting local businesses.

Organizer of You Matter Jessica Boyd says the funds will go towards the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation to support men’s mental health.

Boyd is also the Community Manager, Medicine Hat Community Market, and Mutual Funds Representative at RBC.

“Being in banking, we see and hear all types of things from people about how they are coping right now. I am so passionate about this Medicine Hat community and we’re hurting right now with the number of suicides that are happening and seeing so many people affected, you want to help and you don’t know how to help,” Boyd said.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

7h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

On Friday, Mr. Lube will donate $10 for every oil change.

RBC will also donate $1 from every coffee beverage that’s purchased downtown.

The locally-owned coffee shops will be participating, including Station Coffee Company, Madhatter Roastery, Inspire Studio, Gallery & Cafe, Zucchini Blossom Market & Cafe, The Copper Leaf Cafe, The Hat’s Olive Tap, and Redcliff Bakery (2nd Street).

“We have to get people to understand that downtown is vital and that we need to support every business that we can through COVID if we want them to be around at the end of it.”

Boyd hopes this will continue to expand the mental health conversation in Medicine Hat.

“I think that typically over a coffee or at a cafe, you’re conversing and you tend to congregate and so the thought of let’s make sure this is a conversation that we’re empowered to speak up about. We care about each other as human beings and we can connect in is many ways so hopefully, it gets people downtown, it also gets them talking to each other about this and making it not a stigma” Boyd told CHAT News.

Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation will distribute the funds as they see fit.

Boyd says mental health isn’t just talking to a medical professional.

“It is so many things such as your financial health, physical health, work, family, friends, and community. If you are struggling with your finances and you’re not okay, that is a mental strain on you. If you don’t have the ability to go somewhere to have that conversation, that’s an issue. There are so many things that come with mental health, not just one conversation.”

Photo courtesy Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation Facebook page