CMHA Mayor’s Luncheon will highlight youth mental health

The importance of youth mental health is the focus of the Swift Current Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Ninth Annual Mayor’s Luncheon May 22 at Living Sky Casino Sky Centre.

Presented by Innovation Credit Union, the event features guest speaker Jim Magee, executive director of the Swift Current Community Youth Initiative, a non-profit organization providing youth programming out of The Center located downtown.

About five per cent of males and 12 per cent of females, aged 12 to 19, have experienced a major depressive episode, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The total number in that age group at risk for developing depression is 3.2 million.

With youth suicide in Canada rated the third highest in the industrialized world, suicide is among the leading cause of death for Canadians 15 to 24years-old, says the CMHA.

Four thousand people die prematurely each year by suicide.

Over the years, the Mayor’s Luncheon has grown into the major annual event in Swift Current offering Southwest individuals, organizations and businesses the opportunity to show their support for mental health initiatives.

The Swift Current Branch of the CMHA operates numerous educational, recreational, vocational and social programs. Its meal program served over 5,000 helpings last year for clients afflicted with mental illness.

The luncheon takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight and are available only until May 10th at (306) 7782440.