Video series looks to help people champion mental health

By Medicine Hat News on January 28, 2021.

A new series of videos is being launched at Medicine Hat College to ignite conversations about mental health.

Videos featuring community professionals such as physicians, service agencies and coaches will be released every two weeks. The Beej Project has been made possible through a donation made to MHC by the Niwa family.

“This initiative was created by a family who was grieving a significant loss. Their hope is that by being proactive and educating the community we can help make a positive change in the lives of others,” said Jennifer Kerslake, director of community engagement MHC. “We want to ensure that we are providing people with the knowledge and tools necessary to deal with life’s challenges in a healthy way.”

A community advisory panel that includes the Medicine Hat Public School Division, Prairie Rose School Division, Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education and Medicine Hat Police Service collaborated on the initiative.

Local professionals will share expertise in the videos to help equip people with resources to build strength and resiliency in themselves and those around them.

The first in the series launched this week features a well-known leader in the athletic world. Willie Desjardins, head coach and general manager of the Medicine Hat Tigers, talks about the role that coaches, educators and parents play in empowering others to cope with adversity.

“It’s important that we are there for, and support each other, in the community. These are trying times, and we don’t know what someone is dealing with unless we have the conversations, and take the time to listen,” said Desjardins.