It is now time for our daily look at Canadian Mental Health Week, presented by: Experience Camping!
This week is Mental Health Week across Canada, and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley is using the opportunity to raise awareness, highlight local services, and encourage open conversations about mental health in rural communities.
Lori Cribbly-Clark, the regional manager of rural services for the CMHA, says the week serves as a reminder that mental health matters every day.
She explained that Mental Health Week is a chance to connect people with resources, highlight local programs, and reduce the stigma around seeking help.
Cribbly-Clark said mental health is being talked about more openly than ever before, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought mental health struggles into the spotlight.
She noted that although more people are reaching out for help, the organization is facing growing pressure due to increased demand without a matching increase in funding.
CMHA Thames Valley offers a variety of services in rural areas, including case management, housing support, mental health and addiction counselling, wellness groups, and outreach programs in libraries in places like Lucan and Exeter.
The organization also works with partners to offer peer support groups, such as those provided by CMHA Perth at the Exeter site. For those in crisis or needing support, anyone can call or text 988, Canada’s 24/7 mental health and suicide prevention line.
Cribbly-Clark’s message to those struggling is clear.
She says it takes courage to ask for help, and doing so is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Written by: K. Milhomens