BY APRIL ANTONIAZZI
Practising mind and body fitness is the goal of this year's
Mental Health Week.
"Your physical fitness affects your mental health and vice versa.
Working on both is important," said Kerry Lusk of the
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Sudbury Branch.
The public is encouraged to take part in mental health
awareness events put on by various groups in the community
during the week of May 1 to 7.
This Monday Cyril Varney's Grade 5/6 class and a group of
seniors will showcase their talent at the Interlink concert.
Interlink is an intergenerational choir currently in its
17th year. The program is put on by the CMHA and allows
seniors and students to get to know each other.
Mental Health Week marks the group's annual concert.
"It's a positive, proactive program that empowers people,
and you're naturally taking care of your mental health by
creating relationships," said Lusk.
The concert will take place at St. Andrew's Place at 7 pm.
Donations of $2 will be accepted at the door.
This Tuesday, May 2, the Sudbury & District Health Unit
will put on a conference from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm focusing on
stress in the workplace. The conference is sold out.
Rainbow Cinemas will have two showings of Lost in the Woods
at 10 am and again at 6 pm Wednesday, May 3. The movie tells
the stories of 30 families dealing with the lack of
mental health resources for youth in rural communities.
"The goal of the movie is to gather people from the
community for mental health awareness and to show it's OK
to talk about mental illnesses," said Hoi Cheu, film professor
at Laurentian University.
One in every six children needs mental health care,
explained Cheu.
A researcher who worked on the film, a medical
anthropologist and members of health-care organizations will be
present at the showings to provide information on the film as
well as resources available in Sudbury.
The movie will be of particular interest for youth and youth
service providers, explained Lusk.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury Branch is
sponsoring a walk on the boardwalk in honour of the late Pat
Aitken who was a public educator at the facility for 12
years.The walk will be held at the boardwalk Thursday, May 4
from 11 am to 1 pm.
"We are dedicating an event to her every year for mental
health week," said Lusk.
Aitken suffered from mental illness and was very open about
her struggle. Many people do not want to talk about it because
mental illness carries a stigma in society.
There will be a conference at the Canadian Hearing Society
Friday, May 5 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on cognitive
behaviour therapy. Ron Davis will speak to inpatient and
community mental health and addictions professionals. For
information, phone 523-7100, ext. 7271.
The Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes will be held Sunday, May
7. The event is included in Mental Health Week activities
because physical and mental well-being go hand in hand.
"It is Sudbury's first marathon in 23 years," said Emily
Brigman, development assistant for the Canadian Diabetes
Association.
All races except the five-kilometre event require
registration before race day.
For registration and information go to
www.sudburyrocks.com
or register in person at the running room. Proceeds from
the event will stay in northeastern Ontario.
For information on Mental Health Week go to www.cmha.ca .