Be kind to yourself message by the Melfort Youth Evolution during youth symposium. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Bell Let's Talk Day

Local advocate talks mental wellness

Jan 28, 2021 | 4:02 PM

Social media platforms are filled with references to mental health today and a local mindfulness and wellness educator is weighing in on the conversation.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is a campaign created in an effort to raise awareness and combat stigma surrounding mental illness in Canada.

Laura Lawrence of MindBody Balance Therapies in Melfort told northeastNOW everyone can do their part each and everyday.

“One of the most impactful things that someone can have is a person that supports simply by listening to them and by caring about their well-being,” Lawrence said. “Offer an ear, a shoulder or soft place to land when a loved one or a friend is going through a difficult time.”

Spending time outdoors, being more active and connecting with loved ones are some simple steps that can be taken to assist with ones’s own mental wellness.

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“A really solid place to start is to talk within the walls of our homes and by first talking about healthy expression of emotions and learning how to identify what we are feeling,” Lawrence said. “We need to feel safe in expressing emotions with loved ones.”

Early prevention of mental illness by speaking with youth has been the aim for Lawrence over the past few years.

She has a bachelors degree in education and is a mental wellness advocate in the area that has hosted many events of note. The events include a mental health symposium for over 300 youth in the area in October of 2019.

“Teaching our kids and giving them self-care tools to be able to self regulate in terms of their emotions,” Lawrence said. “Giving them their own ability to recognize what they need and then express that to their loved ones.”

Teen Talk Tuesday was another way that Lawrence was able to assist youth with a connection and conversation platform to allow youth to express themselves, to be heard, and seen, and valued.

Mindfulness for kids camps were also hosted over the summer by Lawrence, proving there are many people in the area that are in need of those of services.

“There is not a single one of us that is not prone to challenges, stress, and hard times,” Lawrence said. “It has been said, if you have physical health, you have mental health. I believe all roads start and lead back to our mental wellness.”

After nearly 11 months in a global pandemic, the conversations around mental health and mental health services are essential according to Lawrence.

“I am hearing from people all across the province and other provinces during this pandemic that we are in crisis, kids are in crisis and mental health services need to be at the forefront of priorities,” Lawrence said.

A presentation at Cumberland College was on the agenda for Lawrence for today and she had a message for those in attendance.

“You can breathe through emotion, talk through emotion, create through emotion, move through emotion,” Lawrence said.

Existing provincial supports include the 8-1-1 health line as well as www.sk.211.ca for anyone experiencing distress and needing help.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser