There will be no big events for Mental Health Week this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, but it is still key to spread awareness of the importance of mental health. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Highlighting Mental Health

Mental Health Week shines a light on important subject

May 5, 2020 | 3:56 PM

Mental Health Week is in full swing across the country, and in the Battlefords community, it’s no different.

Hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Mental Health week is an annual occurrence that takes place the first week of May each year. It is designed to help promote awareness about the importance of mental health, while offering a key theme each year.

This year’s theme is highlighting the importance of being open and honest with others about the state of one’s mental health, and is trending online with the hashtag ‘#GetReal,’ on various social media platforms.

Bringing the topic of mental health to the forefront is of extreme importance this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing many – both in the region and beyond – to be more isolated than usual. North Battleford Mayor, Ryan Bater said it is important to stay connected with others during this time, even if you can’t be physically with them.

“Loneliness and isolation, [the later of which] we’re all going through, can cause all kinds of health issues, because as humans connecting with each other doesn’t just feel good, it’s also good for our mental health,” he said. “Just because we’re physically distanced, doesn’t mean we have to be socially distant. All you have to do is pick up a phone and talk to a friend, talk to a family member, or even someone in your own household.”

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The Mayor added the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a pretty unprecedented development, it is also important to remember the community are united during this uncertain time.

“We’ve been saying from the beginning, that we’re all in this together, and there is actually a lot of comfort in acknowledging your feelings and understanding that a lot of people share those feelings, and that you’re not alone,” Bater said.

Due to the pandemic, the usual events of the week, such as the annual ‘Awareness Walk,’ will not be held this year, for the first time in decades. However, despite the times, executive director at the CMHA Battlefords branch, Jane Zielke de Montbrun, said it is important to stay positive.

She said while face-to-face contact with others may be difficult, there are other mediums people can use to stay connected and remain socially interactive with others.

“If people are able to use things like Zoom, or Facetime, or even phone calls – which do wonders because you get to hear someone’s voice – all those things are important in trying to maintain mental health during this really stressful time,” she said.

Zielke de Montbrun also said that for those in need of support during this time, or just someone to talk to, the CMHA is open and available. The CMHA Battlefords Branch can be found online here, or reached at (306) 446-7177.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1