Movingmedia offers billboard space to CMHA
Spreading messages of hope, resiliency as pandemic continues
The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge is getting some help from a Peterborough advertising company spread messages on mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Movingmedia offered to supply space on eight digital billboards throughout Peterborough city and county to spread messages of hope and resiliency while letting people know services are still available from the agency.
“This scenario I have wanted to get into forever,” said Jack Veitch, the agency’s community engagement and education manager.
“It was just sort of financially infeasible, advertising for a non-profit is expensive, it is really difficult, especially when we are talking about COVID, where all of the budgets are sort of squeezed even tighter.”
He said his hope for the billboards is to remind people the agency is there to help.
“It is important to take care of your mental health,” Veitch said. “Regardless of where you live, your socioeconomic status, your job, career, wherever you are at, it is important to take care of your own mental health and wellness and the reminder, help is available.”
Seven digital billboards
throughout Peterborough and one in Lakefield are being used to share their messages, he said.
“Not many people know there are new programs, new initiatives, where we are at, just reminders to people there is help, there is services, there are supports and here is how to access them,” Veitch said.
Movingmedia wanted to offer a community service to as many people as possible, said strategic partnerships and operations manager Paul Laufer.
“The relationship just seemed
in line with what we were trying to accomplish,” Laufer said.
He said he reached out to municipal and provincial government bodies when the COVID-19 pandemic hit to help with information sharing about the virus.
“We found in our own (business) meetings, trying to get back on track, mental health affects everyone when things aren’t g ood,” Laufer sa i d . “Things certainly haven’t been good throughout a majority of 2020.”
Veitch said Movingmedia has been generous in helping get CMHA’s message across
“I feel like I have a megaphone now in Peterborough,” Veitch said.
“I feel like I have someone on the corner at George and Lock (Peterborough Memorial Centre) just screaming 24 hours a day, it is unbelievable, it is just so awesome.”
He said messag es about CMHA programming will routinely change throughout the year on the billboards.
“(The messaging ) will be evolving over the months as we remind people of our toll-free 24-hour crisis line anybody can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no cost and get help and that number is posted,” Veitch said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental-health topics visit the Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge’s website at cmhahkpr.ca or call 705-748-6687.