Mental health is the foundation of a person’s overall health.
“That’s the basis for everything,” said Sandra MacLean, member of the Mental Health Network in Thunder Bay.
“I think when we look at mental health, it’s so easy to be overlooked by other things that have a bigger profile, but everything revolves around your mental health,” said MacLean, also a registered nurse with the mental health assessment team at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s emergency department.
The Mental Health Network is made up of 10 different agencies that provide mental health services in Thunder Bay. They helped kicked off Mental Health Week at city hall Monday morning.
The message of this year’s weeklong celebration is relax, recharge and revitalize. There are 50 free workshops happening in this city this week for people to try. They include yoga, Zumba, vegetarian cooking, stress in the workplace, therapeutic gardening and coping with chronic health conditions.
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MacLean said people have to invest in their own mental health.
“This is something that sometimes we look to others to say ‘help me do this’ or ‘help me do that,’ but building a life worth living is up to each and every one of us and we can do that quite easily in Thunder Bay,” she said, adding there is plenty to do and many people to talk to.
“You really need to look around and see what’s out there because there is a lot you can do to help maintain your mental health,” she said.
Mayor Keith Hobbs made the official proclamation for Mental Health Week Monday and said the weeklong events fall into line with the city’s strategic plan.
“Healthy, vibrant, connected and strong. We want this community to be healthy and not only physically but mentally,” he said.
“I think it’s important we recognize that it’s a stressful world out there. It’s tough to get through it sometimes,” Hobbs added.
For a full list of the week’s workshops and activities visit www.mentalhealthnetwork.ca.
