Our local media are great at helping us get the word out!
The Red Deer Advocate and RD News Now both published major pieces this week about Mental Health Week, CMHA, and advocacy needs.
From the Red Deer Advocate:
“Canadian Mental Health Association is encouraging people to join its national Get Loud campaign next week during Mental Health Week.
Trish McAllister-Hall, CMHA Central Alberta Region executive director, said this year the annual awareness week is about promoting action after finally getting people comfortable talking about mental health.
“There’s been lots and lots of awareness over the past two to three years. We’re finally at the point where people are having good conversations about mental health. Now we need to move towards some action and programs that are going to help people get well and stay well,” McAllister-Hall said.
She said Central Albertans say they need more access to mental health supports, to mental crisis services and long-term counselling.”
The complete article: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/time-for-action-for-mental-health/
From Red Deer News Now:
“People with mental health issues are falling through the cracks.
So says Trish McAllister-Hall, Executive Director with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Central Alberta region.
May 1 to 7 is Mental Health Week in Canada, and the theme this year is again for everyone to “GET LOUD.”
However, McAllister-Hall points out it’s no longer good enough to just raise awareness. She says we have to talk about what’s required to maintain mental wellness and a mentally well society.
“What are people tired of waiting for in terms of services and what do we need our governments to do? In what ways do we need them to step up and support mental health in our communities?” she asks. “One of the biggest things is collaboration between services, but also community-based services that are easy to access, and that a person doesn’t necessarily have to have a mental health diagnosis to access services.”
The complete article: http://rdnewsnow.com/article/536118/mental-wellness-focus-years-mental-health-week
We’d also like to thank 106.7 The Drive and other media outlets that do so much to raise people’s awareness about the importance of mental health funding, programs, and services to our Central Alberta Communities!