Better mental health needs more than a month

After an initial wave of attention to Mental Health Awareness Month arriving in May, we’ve since seen other topics such as the NHL playoffs, wildfires in Alberta and tense political dynamics on Parliament Hill take centre stage.

Although news cycles change daily, mental-health problems in Canada persist.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), in any given year, one in five Canadians will experience a mental-health problem or illness; 50 per cent of our population will experience a mental-health crisis by the age of 40; and major depression and anxiety disorders will affect 5.4 per cent and 4.6 per cent of the population, respectively.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Our collective mental health is in a fragile state.

The way I see it, Mental Health Awareness Month is a proactive way of raising awareness about mental illness, problems and crises. It aims to reduce stigmas and encourage sufferers to seek expert help, and this is to be encouraged.

There is a reactive side to protecting our mental health that is just as essential. What happens when a loved one dies or a family tragedy strikes? What steps should we take if we’re experiencing anxiety or anguish as a result?

Taking specific personal steps to heal powerful feelings of loss and grief after a tragedy is just as important as general, proactive measures to raise social awareness of mentalhealth issues and fight social stigmas.

There are ways we can rehabilitate our minds, moods and feelings, to live healthy and full lives — even after the largest of tragedies.

First: we must remember that grieving is normal and everyone does this in their own way. According to the Canadian Grief Alliance, 8,720,577 Canadians were grieving a death during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healing requires us to be open about our feelings, to maintain daily social contact and to keep up with routines such as exercise, diet and work.

And, of course, to be gentle and compassionate with ourselves.

The reality is, healing takes time and allowing yourself to grieve is healthy.

Second: we must seek professional help when our mental health reaches a tipping point that impacts our daily life. There is no shame whatsoever in seeking counselling to help heal psychological wounds, just as there is no shame in visiting an emergency room or a doctor if we break a bone or suffer a physical injury.

According to a 2018 study by the government of Canada, 1.1 million Canadians had mental-health needs that went unaddressed that year.

Some simply had no mentalhealth care provider, didn’t know where to go for help, were too busy, tried to manage their struggles alone, or could not afford costs of private care. This pattern has to stop. Mental Health Awareness Month is a moment to educate the public on where to go and whom to speak to if experiencing health problems.

Third: reacting to mental-health crises reminds us to keep our finances in check. Acquiring life insurance to protect family members, writing a will, securing important documents in safe places — each of these important pieces helps us navigate our grief more easily than if we were trying to piece together financial puzzles while under extreme emotional duress. The sooner you take steps to protect your family’s finances, the better your peace of mind during difficult times.

Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t over just yet. To anyone who’s struggling, remember that there are many options out there for you to seek help and there are countless individuals who care. Whether a family member, a dear friend or a trusted member of the HR Department at work, reach out to them today.

The journey toward mental health takes more than one month. It can take a lifetime. But it is worth it.