Creating Awareness About Mental Health

Tuesday, 7 May 2019 06:15

It's mental health week and CMHA Oxford is hoping to get loud to clear up the difference between mental health and mental illness.

OXFORD COUNTY - CMHA Oxford is celebrating Mental Health Week.

They will be talking at local schools, workplaces and on social media to clear up the difference between mental health and mental illness. Community Engagement Coordinator Kathleen Campbell-Conlon says they plan to get loud this week to share their message.

"Get loud about what mental health really is, it's about being connected to your community, being physically active for some people, it is about feeling good about yourself and enjoying your life."

Executive Director Lynn Wardell says they want to eradicate some of the stigma's associated with mental health.

"So, what is mental health? Simply put, it is a state of well-being, and we all have it. We might have a mental illness, and we might not. Either way, we can all feel well. We can all feel good about ourselves, whatever life's ups and downs."

One in five Canadians experiences a mental health illness or problem every year, but all five in five of us have mental health, just like we all have physical health. When you look at all the official definitions out there across Canada and around the world, you find that there are six common features of good mental health: a sense of self, a sense of purpose, of belonging, contribution, enjoyment and resilience.
Wardell says they have illustrations that reflect the real faces of Canada and describe the six features of good mental health in everyday language:

I don't worry too much about what people think of me.
I feel like I'm reaching my potential.
I feel like I belong.
I make the world a better place.
I enjoy my life.
Knock me down and I'll get back up again

"Can you see yourself in these words? These six lines suggest in simple terms what we all want to have for ourselves, our families and each other, to feel good."

They will also be having a BBQ on Saturday in front of Goodlife Fitness from 11 am to 2 pm in Woodstock to coincide with the launch of their annual Ride Don't Hide event coming up in June.