CMHA's Mental Health Week wraps up today, which saw more than 5,300 door hangers distributed with their annual awareness initiative, encouraging our community to hang them where they are visible to create connections to mental health, community, and resources for support.
"Our Mayor's Luncheon saw another sold-out crowd with 224 people attending," shared Program Director Tasha Collins. "We are grateful for the continued support from our community, new and returning attendees along with our event sponsors, Barber Motors and Jerry Mainil Ltd., our speaker sponsor, MNP, our program sponsor, and Meok Ja for supplying cookies for our baskets."
Their annual used book sale was held on Wednesday and Thursday, set up in front of Blue Earth Environmental on Third Street.
"The books are supplied by Blue Earth, and all funds raised are donated to our branch, this year raising $526.65."
On Wednesday evening, a Self-Care Workshop was held at the branch, which facilitated a discussion on the difference between self-care and self-soothing.
"Self-care being the routines we put in place to keep ourselves well, and self-soothing being the things we do to cope and/or move through the difficulties or stressors we may face. Attendees left with self-soothing kits based on their five senses," explained Collins.
Then, on Thursday evening, CMHA Weyburn staff and board members attended the Legacy Park Elementary School Mental Health Expo, with over 50 students, parents, staff from LPES, and agencies in attendance.
"The event was a collaborative effort. Heidi Vogel from the CMHA Weyburn Youth Program and Lindsey Wagner, the Student Services Counselor from Legacy Park Elementary School discussed partnering during Mental Health Week. They worked together to plan the Mental Health Expo, designing all the activity stations, then Lindsay reached out to the other community agencies to set up tables and bring information to the parents and students."
She noted that Next week, CMHA Weyburn will also take part in the Holy Family RCSSD's Mental Health Fair, which will include a presentation from Keynote Speaker Tyler Smith, a Paralympian and Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor, at St. Michael School.
With the Mental Health Week theme this year, 'Unmasking Mental Health', Collins encouraged people to always have open and honest conversations about mental health.
"Although CMHA's Mental Health Week allows us the opportunity to highlight mental health, and raise awareness, we hope to also inspire continued conversations throughout the year. By Unmasking Mental Health, we aspire to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and support open conversations. When we unmask our own struggles, we give others permission to do the same."
