Mental Health Week highlights help available for central Albertans

“We’ve persevered, we’ve maintained our social distancing and we’ve worn our masks and everybody has done the things. But a year in, it can be so exhausting, I mean people that live alone are lonely. Mental health has definitely declined for many people.”

This year, Stewart says CMHA is offering prizing to Albertans taking concrete steps in improving their mental health.

“We’re asking people to take some pictures and post them on social media with the hashtag, #CMHAAB for our provincial body,” she explains. “Our list is showing something you’re thankful for today. If you’ve got a pet, pets have been proven to increase your mental health and reduce stress and anxiety, so taking some pictures of your pets.”

Anything active, spending time in nature, or a picture of you enjoying your hobby would also be appropriate, adds Stewart.

Thankfully, Stewart acknowledges that the trend in recent years is that more and more people are starting to reach out for help.

“We hired a crisis counselor at the start of 2019 because we had a lot of calls for people seeking immediate help. That first year she saw 150 people. Last year, she saw 300 people and her stats at the end of April, she saw 89 people already,” says Stewart. “I’m not sure if it’s because of this pandemic or the attention given to mental health makes it a safer place for people, but certainly we need those supports more than ever and we encourage people to access them in any way they can.”

Stewart notes that CMHA’s education program went completely online this year, with some of their longer eight-week sessions now broken down into one hour single sessions for people to access online.

“We have lots of topics, some things specific to COVID and social isolating, some things specific to stress and anxiety, there’s quite a few options there.”

Stewart notes it’s also important to check up on your friends and loved ones from time to time.

“You forget that you can actually use the telephone anymore, or even text people to check in. There’s apps where you can do that face-to-face communication and it’s important, so make time, especially for those people that are living alone to reach out make sure that they’re OK.”

With a new set of restrictions announced by the provincial government, Stewarts admits it’s going to take a toll on Albertans’ mental health over the coming weeks.

“Live each day one at a time, we’ll get through this. We’ve gotten through all the others and there will be an end. We just have to hang in there and again, reach out for support to see us through.”

To reach the CMHA Central Alberta Region crisis counselor, call 403-304-7662.

by Sheldon Spackman

Mental Health Week highlights help available for central Albertans

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