A call to be kind during Mental Health Week

We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference.

Compassion can have a positive impact on your life. It is the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve the suffering by taking action to help the other person. Giving and receiving compassion can improve your mental wellbeing and produce greater happiness.

Research shows that engaging in activities such as volunteering and creating a life of purpose and meaning can play a role in better health and improve longevity. Compassion can also help build social supports and connections that are important to mental wellbeing.

Together, we can learn to be more compassionate to improve individual and community wellbeing. Join us during Mental Health Week, May 6-12, with A Call to be Kind, a celebration focused on the healing power of compassion.

We invite you to participate in the Move for Mental Health 11th annual Fun Run/ Walk on May 5 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in Medicine Hat’s Kin Coulee Park. This is a free, family-friendly, non-competitive event with entertainment by Audrey Three.

Individuals and families are invited to connect with their community to build important social connections at our Community Self-Care Fair. Many organizations will be in attendance to provide resources and activities related to the services they provide in community.

Let’s build our social supports and make connections! For more information and to register, visit Eventbrite and search Move for Mental Health. You can also visit the Move for Mental Health website (move4mh.weebly.com) for updated event information.

Taneil Zanidean is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services South Zone Addiction and Mental Health.