A century later, mental health challenges remain

May 7-13 marks the 67th annual CMHA mental health week as well as the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Mental Health Association. That’s pretty incredible. Our organization was created a century ago by a group of people who had a vision to do something to make the world a better place. Back then, the focus was on the inhumane treatment of people in psychiatric institutions; today, we still struggle with how we treat people who experience mental illness.

But mental health week is about acknowledging and celebrating those things that keep us mentally well or healthy so that we use tools and techniques that will prevent mental ill-health. There are things we can do as individuals, communities and policy makers to make a significant difference.

This week, take a moment to consider the difference and consider what you can and will do to support your mental health.

Firstly, what is mental health? Having mental health is about feeling good about who you are, having balance in your life, and managing life’s highs and lows. And, for the average person—whether they have a diagnosis or not—it’s about having a sense of purpose, and a sense of self. It’s about enjoyment, feeling connected, contributing to your community and coping with stress. Everyone deserves to feel well, whatever their mental health experience. And we all need a support system to lean on.

Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness; it’s not a binary equation. Too often, these terms are used interchangeably. Let’s clear the air. Every person has a physical body. We all have minds and emotions. In the same way that we all have a state of physical health, we have a state of mental health. Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness.

Here’s something to consider: You might have an illness or a disease, say diabetes. Maybe you deal with the symptoms – through diet, physical activity, medication or in other ways. When it comes to your physical health, you might feel absolutely great.

On the other hand, you might not have any illness or disease, but for any number of reasons, you might not feel physically well at all. Perhaps you don’t sleep well, or you are rundown.

All this to say that you might have an illness or disease on one hand, but feel well on the whole. On the other hand, you may not have a disease but are not feeling “well” at all. The same is true about your mental health. You might have a mental illness, but that doesn’t mean you’re mentally unhealthy or that you can’t feel well.

And, even if you don’t have a mental illness, you may at times feel mentally unwell. Stress, an overwhelming schedule, and difficult life events or circumstances can put pressure on your mental health. It’s critical that all of us take care of our mental health just as we do our physical health.

There are many simple things you can do. The key is actually doing them. Check out strategies mentalhealthweek.ca.

University of Victoria professor Trevor Hancock writes about the impact social spaces, physical spaces and access to equitable opportunity have on mental well-being.

Unfortunately, it’s increasingly easy for a kid, family or a senior to feel socially isolated even in places like Kelowna.

Far too many people in our community feel alone and isolated.

The City of Kelowna, along with Interior Health and UBCO, has launched a number of key initiatives included in the Healthy City Strategy that includes a review of our built environments, which are the places and spaces in which people live, work, play and learn.

When strategically designed, these places including homes, neighborhoods, schools, streets, workplaces and parks, can reduce obesity and chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, as well as improve the wellbeing and social connection of residents.

At CMHA Kelowna, we have a vision of a mentally healthy community.

When individuals or their loved ones are going through periods of mental ill health or distress, they don’t know where to turn to for help. For 100 years, CMHA has been there. This week, our voices speak louder in a chorus than they ever could alone. Let’s #GetLoud about what mental health really is, together. We can all benefit from celebrating, promoting and acknowledging the role that good mental health plays in living a full and meaningful life and a mentally healthy community.

Do something for yourself and your community, join us on June 24 for the Dillon and Payton Budd Memorial Ride Don’t Hide event. Let’s rally together — for you, for those you love. Anyone can experience poor emotional or mental health. No one should have to hide or stay silent. You are not alone with CMHA Kelowna. Shelagh Turner is the executive director of CMHA Kelowna, a multi-service agency that promotes positive mental health, supports recovery and removes barriers.