A positive message is written on a coffee sleeve as part of MHPSD and MHCBE's #SleeveTheStigma campaign for Bell Let's Talk Day. - NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Whether through talking, texting or sharing messages of hope, Hatters did their part to raise awareness about mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day, held Wednesday.
“The Bell Let’s Talk Day is good because it opens up that conversation and lets people know that right now it’s normal to feel an increased level of stress and anxiety due to what’s going on, but it’s important to be able to talk about how people are feeling,” registered psychologist, play therapist, clinical director and owner of Creative Minds Consulting, Carolina Hall, told the News.
“I think right now it’s more important than ever… to open up conversations and break any stigma surrounding mental health,” Hall said. “Once you remove some of those stigmas people are definitely more willing to reach out for help, especially with the growing mental health needs we’re seeing with the pandemic.”
Trent Akers, clinical social worker, therapist and owner of Open Akers, says he’s noticed a growing number of individuals facing mental health concerns.
“What I’m really noticing within the community in general is a lot of depression and anxiety and a lot of malaise and just exhaustion because (people) feel separated from one another,” Akers told the News. “A lot of these issues definitely existed before the pandemic, but (the pandemic) has exacerbated certain things.”
Akers is glad Bell Let’s Talk Day encourages open conversation about mental health.
“This is a wonderful initiative,” Akers said. “It’s a way people can connect with either individuals they know or with a sense of anonymity… It could be a gateway for people to begin to talk about their mental health concerns.”
Beyond individuals, many organizations and businesses around Medicine Hat also recognized the day. The City of Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat Police Services, Medicine Hat Public Library and others, posted about the day online.
As well as in-class discussions about mental health, the city’s two school divisions partnered up with local coffee shops for their #SleeveTheStigma campaign, through which coffee sleeves featuring positive artwork and words of encouragement from students were given to coffee shop patrons.
Akers believes the widespread support for Bell Let’s Talk Day and the conversations started because of it, could be beneficial for those struggling with mental health.
“(It’s) normalizing and validating their experiences,” Akers said. “What’s most important is really meeting people where they’re at and connecting with them, as much as you can, on a human level. You don’t need to point out they’re struggling… sometimes it’s about just greeting them, giving them a cup of coffee or just lending them an ear. Basically, giving them the opportunity to open up.”
