ACAC/MHC looking to make some noise for mental health
Student-athletes and mental health advocates in Alberta are teaming up with RBC to reduce the stigma related to mental illness and promote mental health and wellness. Make Some Noise for Mental Health is an award-winning campaign which promotes mental health awareness on 17 post-secondary campuses in 15 communities. The campaign begins on Jan. 11, through ‘Blue Monday’ on Jan. 21, and continues until Feb. 10.
For the fourth consecutive year, and with endorsement from the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is conducting a 30-day, conference-wide mental health awareness campaign. For the third year, the ACAC is excited to welcome RBC back as the 2019 Make Some Noise for Mental Health presenting sponsor.
“The support provided by RBC and CMHA Alberta has allowed us to reach new heights with the Make Some Noise campaign each and every year,” said Mark Kosak, CEO, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. “Student-athlete health and wellness are among the ACAC’s top priorities, and it has become obvious to ACAC leaders that this mental health initiative and the overarching objectives of the campaign leaves a positive impact on the student population we serve.”
In Medicine Hat the Make Some Noise for Mental Health goes this Saturday, Jan. 26 in the Medicine Hat College Gymnasium during the volleyball games (1 and 3p.m.) and the basketball games (6 and 8 p.m.). There will be a “Hallway of Happiness outside the gym with ideas and activities do promote good mental health.
Also on Saturday, there is a MHC Alumni Family Day in Centennial Hall from 12 – 4 p.m. This is a free event with many activities and games for children of college alumni.
The Make Some Noise project was initiated by the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Trojans in January 2015, and the Trojan Outreach Program won a national community service award for their efforts.
“We learned from the first SAIT Trojans campaign and the ACAC campaigns over the past three years, just how important this health issue has become on our post-secondary campuses,” says Kosak. “Students and ACAC student-athletes in particular, are coping with a broad spectrum of stressors and we’re only beginning to truly understand the full and varying effect that can have.”
By involving student-athletes as role models, Make Some Noise for Mental Health is intended to encourage empathy, understanding and open mindedness, while creating awareness about the resources and support available on campus and in the community. In previous years, the campaign has seen promotion through student-led, on-campus activities and appearances from NHL Alum Sheldon Kennedy and RBC 2018 Winter Olympians. The campaign is expected to be well-received across each of the 15 Albertan communities hosting events.