Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Champlain celebrated Mental Illness Awareness Week on October 7. CMHA Champlain is also commemorating their 40th year in the region, originally becoming a branch in 1974.
The annual MIAW is a national public education campaign aimed to raise awareness about the realities of those struggling with mental illness. The campaign also focuses on promoting understanding among Canadians and providing educational resources.
Local community members and volunteers hosted the opening of MIAW at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex in Hawkesbury, beginning with the opportunity for guests to visit the different booths set up to promote their services at the event. Local emergency services were also on-site to speak to the public and inform individuals of how each organization works to chip away at mental health stigma in the community.
“We organize this event to help eliminate the stigma of mental health in our communities. This event begins Mental Health Awareness Week and aims to encourage discussions around mental illness and addiction while also providing mental health community support,” Program Manager for the Canadian Mental Health Association Champlain East branch Chantal Tessier remarked.
Brief experiences were given by individuals who had or continue to have, struggled with mental illness in their lifetime. Messages of hope, perseverance, and resilience rang true to many in the supportive audience, with the life experiences adding depth to the larger topic of mental health. Ryan Forsyth was one of the individuals who highlighted the impacts of mental illness in his life.
Forsyth began to show signs of anxiety around age 12 and would experience occasional panic attacks before going to sleep. He explained that he simply did not have the awareness, tools, or support system to help him through this period of his life. Sadly, his struggles would continue for years to come.
By the age of 21 Forsyth had graduated top of his class and received a job offer right after school. Success does not equal happiness, however, as Forsyth explained he had attempted suicide due to the anxiety and depression he faced daily. Rather than continue to mask the feelings and emotions he held inside, Forsyth took this challenge head-on and finally sought help for his mental health.
He closed by stating to the audience that talking and having discussions surrounding mental health is key to the mental health journey. Forsyth made it clear that mental health is a continual journey, not having a solitary endpoint. Since the journey is not linear, Forsyth encourages individuals to keep doing the work to better their mental health and combat mental illness. This includes asking for help; being vulnerable is tough, but going through mental illness is worse. By opening discussions around mental health, many others may be encouraged to do so, thus taking an important first step on their mental health journey.
Following the stories shared by speakers, attendees were invited to take signs, balloons, and noisemakers to parade around Hawkesbury, drawing attention quite literally to mental health in the community. Members of the community and volunteers were escorted by local community emergency services to ensure a safe route.
Once returned to the Robert Hartley Sports Complex, an award was given to a local member of the Prescott-Russell community for an individual who had demonstrated exceptional qualities in their mental health recovery journey. Awarded by France Perreault, the Consumer Hope and Resiliency Award was given to Francisca Thériault.
The Consumer Hope and Resiliency Award is dedicated to an individual in the community who demonstrates courage, where they show bravery and strength in facing the challenges of their mental health journey and can include overcoming significant obstacles or taking proactive steps toward healing. Thériault also maintained a hopeful and determined approach to their recovery, educating and helping others to contribute to the well-being of others. This included sharing experiences to inspire and educate others, participating in community events, and offering encouragement to those facing similar challenges.
