On Wednesday, January 21, Hawkesbury General Hospital (HGH) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Champlain East partnered for the annual awareness event, Bell Let’s Talk Day, to encourage individuals to break the stigma surrounding mental health. HGH and CMHA hosted an information kiosk in HGH’s ambulatory care waiting room, encouraging people to pause, evaluate their mental health, and learn about the many services offered by both organizations.
Bell Let’s Talk originally launched in January 2011 and has grown into an annual national movement aimed at combating stigma around mental health issues and raising awareness of available resources.
CMHA Champlain East Mental Health Promoter Geneviève Desrochers said, “This day is more than a conversation—it’s a movement to remind everyone that mental health matters every day.”
CMHA Champlain East Program Manager Johanne Renauld added that the organization offers in-home community services, specializing in stress management skills, financial literacy, and housing and legal support. These services also include a free walk-in counselling clinic held every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Mental Health and Addiction Regional Centre located at 580 Spence Avenue in Hawkesbury.
HGH Counsellor Marie-Josée Vanasse said the centre offers numerous community supports to assist individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health issues. Services include intensive case management, vocational support, social recreation, and court programs, and are offered to individuals 16 and older who reside in Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Prescott-Russell, and Akwesasne.
Vanasse emphasized that participation in the services is voluntary, and individuals may be referred to partner agencies for additional support when needed.
Information on Bell Let’s Talk Day can be found on its website, https://letstalk.bell.ca/tools-and-resources/bell-lets-talk-day-toolkit/, including a useful toolkit for those struggling with mental health issues.
Programs and services available through the mental health services at HGH can be found here: https://hgh.ca/programs-services/crisis-team/.
For more information on CMHA services, visit cmha-east.on.ca.
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text 988.
