By battlefordsNOW

Mental Health Week aims to get people talking

Apr 21, 2018 | 11:29 AM

The Battlefords Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and its partners are gearing up for Mental Health Week this year with a number of events from May 7 to 12.

The theme of the event this year is #GetLoud. Jane Zielke de Montbrun, executive director for the CMHA Battlefords branch, said talking about mental health can help break the stigma and discrimination associated with it.

As the community struggled with several suicides involving young people over the past several months, the issue of mental health is close to many people’s hearts, Zielke de Montbrun said.

She said a dedicated group of people in the area have formed the Battlefords Better Together Team who are working hard to provide people in the community with the support to deal with the tragedies that have occurred. She added they are also developing ways to help people better support one another and understand how mental health issues impact everyone.

“They are a strong group of individuals who are working really hard for youth,” Zielke de Montbrun said.

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Partnering on the events with the CMHA are The Lighthouse, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre, North Battleford Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association and Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford.

Monday, May 7, Mental Health Week kicks off with a flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. at North Battleford City Hall.  Then, a soup and bannock lunch is planned at The Lighthouse on 102 Street starting at 11:30 a.m. The event will also include a performance by a youth drumming group from Poundmaker First Nation. They will also take part in the flag raising ceremony. 

Tuesday, May 8 the CMHA is planning a Walk for Awareness starting at 1:15 p.m. at the local CMHA branch at 1602-103 St. and wrapping up at North Battleford Library Park. The CMHA is planning to give away cake in the park to celebrate the national Canadian Mental Health Association’s 100th anniversary. There will also be live entertainment.

“The more people who come to participate, the better it is going to be,” said Zielke de Montbrun, adding the walk is to bring awareness that everyone needs to be mentally healthy. “We have to be mindful of that.”

Wednesday, May 9 there will be a talent show at the Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford cafeteria from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 10, Battlefords area residents can show their support for mental health awareness by getting a semicolon art tattoo at an event at the CMHA branch in North Battleford. Proceeds benefit the local CMHA’s building fund. The semicolon is a universal symbol of support for mental illness. It helps promote mental health, raises awareness and reduces stigma. People can register to have a tattoo by calling 306-446-7177.

“It’s to say: ‘I’m a safe person you can talk to if you have a mental health problem,’” said Zielke de Montbrun, adding there has been an overwhelming response for this project again this year. 

“Last year we did 38 tattoos and this year we have 68 booked plus a waiting list of about 12 people,” she said. “That’s really exciting.”

On Saturday, May 12 the North Battleford branch Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association is hosting the Champions of Mental Health Gala at the Dekker Centre, with tickets available by calling 306-446-6855. The awards ceremony and dinner starts at 5 p.m.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow