An event centered on mental health awareness is heading to Strathmore this weekend.
On Saturday (Sept. 7) the "Stick it To Stigma" event will be hosted at the Strathmore Civic Centre from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m.
The event will feature information on healthy relationships, art, yoga, journaling, self-care, and emotional regulation. There is also the chance to win prizes, with a live musical performance from Greg Rider.
The event is being put together by Rebloom Community Health & Wellness.
"We're a multi-disciplinary clinic. We have lots of mental health providers, massage therapists, and a girl that does some yoga and meditation," said Halle Cockx, owner of Rebloom. "I don't think there's a whole lot of people who have done anything like this."
Funding for the event was provided by the non-profit Not Today, which Rider himself is a part of.
"We wanted to do an event that approaches the topic of breaking that stigma we have about mental health services. Having an event like this in our town is important and shows people that mental health doesn't have to be a hush-hush thing."
Prize packages include weighted stuffed animals, an art kit, a sunrise alarm, and more.
"This event is showing people that everybody has mental health struggles, and the more we talk about it and are open about it, the more help we can get in these areas. Mental health affects everybody, from birth until 100 years old, and there shouldn't be any stigma towards anybody receiving mental health care."
The event is open for all ages and is free to attend.
