‘There is no health without mental health’: Mental health week begins May 5 in Brantford, Brant Haldimand and Norfolk

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“There is no health without mental health.”

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Those words come from Lill Petrella of the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“The importance of mental health isn’t always given a priority in our busy lives,”  Petrella, the agency’s team lead for health promotion, said. “So many of us usually race through our commitments and get stressed out.

“We need to take a breath and realize that there is no health without mental health and learn to practise self care.”

Petrella said national Canadian Mental Health Week (May 5 to 11) is an opportunity for people to learn more about the issues impacting them and how they can be addressed.

“These are certainly scary times,” Petrella said. “Our lives have been turned upside down with fears surrounding Canada’s future and rising costs related to tariffs.

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“There’s so much uncertainty in our lives right now and feeling anxious is completely understandable.”

Those feelings make this year’s mental health week especially important, Petrella said.

“The week serves as a reminder that whatever is is going on in our lives, in our country, in our worlds, we still need to take a step back from it all and protect our mental health,” Petrella said.

The theme of this year’s week is Unmasking Mental Health. It is an acknowledgement that many people feel they have to hide their struggles to avoid judgment or misunderstanding.

By “unmasking” people are encouraged to share their experiences, foster open conversations and create a supportive environment where vulnerability is seen as strength.

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Mental health week begins with flag raising ceremonies at Harmony Square at 10 a.m in Brantford; 11 a.m. at 66 Grand River S. N. in Paris and at 50 Colborne St. S. in Simcoe at 12:30 p.m.

Other events include a Mental Health and Wellness Expo at 275 Ramsey Dr., Dunnville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 7 and a Six Nations Mental Health Fair on May 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Veterans’ Park, 1799 4th Line, Ohsweken.

The week also includes a ‘How to support someone in an abusive relationship’ webinar from noon to 1 p.m. on May 6.

“We’re hoping that by offering a variety of activities, people will come out and help remove the stigma of talking about mental health and find out more about what our communities have to offer as far as mental health supports,” Christina Ferrell, intensive child and family service program manager, at Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services, said. “I love that this week promotes collaboration within the community.

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“Our committee of community partners work together for months preparing events, with our communities in mind..”

Ferrell is encouraging people to check in with each other during mental health week.

“We know that these trying times are affecting everyone of all ages,” Ferrell said. “Meet others with patience and compassion because we never know what someone else is struggling with.

“Get familiar with the supports and services that exist in the communities, and share that information.

For a complete list of local mental health week events visit .www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=656110540391888&set=a.180859951250285

To learn more about masking and unmasking in a mental health context visit https://cmha.ca/mental-health-week/toolkits/ .

Vball@postmedia.com

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