Viva Vitality: Unmasking mental health during Mental Health Week

By Michelle Sauvé on May 2, 2025.

The Canadian Mental Health Association introduced Mental Health Week, this year celebrated from May 5-11, in 1951. The goal of the week is to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote understanding of mental health issues. This year’s theme is ‘Unmasking Mental Health.’

CMHA’s website notes that, “living with a mental health or substance use challenges is hard enough; masking can make it even harder. Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a ‘mask’ to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated we feel.”

During Mental Health Week, CMHA is encouraging people across Canada “to look beyond the surface and see the whole person. By embracing honesty and vulnerability, we open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with it. In doing so, we can create a ripple effect of courage and understanding across the country.”

The CMHA’s Mental Health Week 2025 toolkit provides great resources including factsheets on what masking is and the effects of it, and ways to help others and yourself unmask. There is also a week of journal prompts encouraging you to consider, “what is something you can change to help others feel free to be who they are?” or “if you are someone who often masks, what’s something others could do to help you unmask?” Find more at https://cmha.ca/mental-health-week/.

Mental Health Week is also an opportunity to see the connection between physical and mental health. Eating healthily, getting plenty of exercise and sleeping enough all play a vital part in a person’s mental and emotional state. Mental health doesn’t exist in isolation from your physical health, so looking after both simultaneously can be a very effective way to maintain positive wellbeing.

One way to celebrate Mental Health Week in Medicine Hat is to participate in ‘Move for Mental Health’ on Sunday, May 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Public Library. The event is free and there is no need to pre-register or fundraise. The event includes a free BBQ, is open to everyone, and is dedicated to raising awareness, fostering support and taking meaningful steps toward better mental well-being.

On May 7, schools across southern Alberta will rally to celebrate, protect and promote mental health during ‘Hats on for Mental Health’, celebrated annually across the region. Consider joining in at your workplace or home.

And you can keep raising awareness after Mental Health Week – join in one of the Strides for Hope Walk events in honour of World Schizophrenia Day in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat on May 23 from 12:30-1:30 pm. In Lethbridge, you are invited to meet in the Keg parking lot at 1717 Mayor Magrath Dr. For Medicine Hat, meet at Veterans Memorial Park across from city hall.

Michelle Sauvé is a health promotion facilitator with Recovery Alberta

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