Walkers took to the streets to show support for mental health Wednesday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Mental Health Awareness Week

CMHA Battlefords branch’s Mental Health Awareness Walk sees strong showing

May 3, 2023 | 3:56 PM

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Battlefords branch took to the streets Wednesday for the Mental Health Awareness Week walk.

The event saw a large group of participants this year, under sunny skies.

Battlefords CMHA executive director Michele Winterholt noted the aim of the walk is to help continue to remove the stigma around mental illness.

“It’s to continue to raise awareness within the communities. And, by being physically active, of course, that’s one avenue we all can use to manage our mental health and wellness,” she said.

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Winterholt estimated around 50 to 100 people were taking part in the walk. This is the first big event CMHA Battlefords has had since before the pandemic a few years ago.

“It’s really fantastic we have the opportunity to get back out in the community, and get people connecting in doing things together for our mental health,” she said.

Winterholt added it’s also rewarding to see so many people from the community come out to show their support.

Catholic Family Services of the Battlefords staff participate in the walk. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

A large contingent of walkers took part from Catholic Family Services of the Battlefords staff, including counsellors and support workers.

Executive director, Kim Morrison, mentioned mental health is an important part of what the CFS does in its work.

“Our mission is that everybody in the community can reach their full potential,” she said. “Mental health is just as important, if not even more so, as physical health sometimes. We want to show our support for mental health in the community. Also, as a community-based organization, we work closely with the Canadian Mental Health Association and other agencies. We want to show our support for the people in the community, and others helping people in the community too.”

The mental health walk wrapped up with a chili and bun lunch afterwards for participants.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, the local CMHA also had an artists’ showcase by its members on Monday. The organization visited the high schools Tuesday to talk to kids about three key three-digit phone numbers to call for mental health support: 9-1-1, 2-1-1, and 8-1-1. Then, on Thursday CMHA staff plan to drop in at a number of local elementary schools to discuss the book series – A Little Spot of Emotion, talking about people’s feelings, to tie that into the importance of mental health as well.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow