May is Mental Health Awareness Month
As the chilly days of May, come and go, I’ve been reflecting on what Mental Health Awareness means to me.
At the very surface, it means we are human, we are community, we are connected, and we are all responsible for each other.
A little deeper down it means being informed, educated and well-equipped to help those around us.
Mental Health Awareness can be defined as understanding and recognizing mental health conditions, emotional well-being, and the importance of seeking help and support when needed. It involves educating people about mental health issues, reducing stigma, encouraging open conversations and promoting access to care and resources.
Did you know?
These statistics are powerful, meaningful and a call to action.
The solution is not simple. But there are resources available, and a place to start.
Small Before Big:
- Employee Family Assistance Programs
- Mental Health Practitioner support through your Paramedical coverage on your Employee Benefits Plan
- Workplace Wellness Programs – with a positive emphasis on Healthy Nutrition Practises and Regular Exercise Routines
Simple Sunshine Routine – did you know that just 10-30 minutes of sunshine each day is associated with improved mood, sleep regulation, and energy levels!
Immediate Crisis Support:
- Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger
- Suicide Crisis Helpline – Call or text 988
Local Resources:
- Family Service Saskatoon – “Strengthening People; Nurturing Relationships; Building Communities”
- 24 Hour Crisis Services contact Mobile Crisis at 306-933-6200 (or call 911)
- HealthLine 811 – Available 24/7 for Mental Health and Addictions support
- Online Therapy Unit – Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT). Serving adults with anxiety, depression, insomnia, alcohol-related concerns, chronic health conditions, and public safety personnel.
- Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon Branch – A community driven, non-profit organization dedicated to helping build healthy communities and ending the stigma around mental illness. 306-384-9333
National Resources:
- Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
- Hope for Wellness Helpline – Mental health and crisis counselling for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples. 1-855-242-3310
- EHN Canada: Addiction Rehab & Mental Health Treatment: EHN Canada is the nation’s leading provider of evidence-based addiction and mental health treatment.
This article is dedicated to all those who struggle and continue to fight. To those who we’ve loved and lost. To all those who continue to stand together.
