MOUNT FOREST – The Mount Forest Legion Branch 134 is set to host a workshop aimed at combatting mental health challenges.
The event was created by a partnership between the Mount Forest Seniors group and the Mapleton-based Seniors’ Centre for Excellence (SCE).
President of the seniors group Kay Ayres thought discussing mental health would be a “good topic” for the event, SCE program coordinator Helen Edwards told the Advertiser via email on Sept. 9.
The workshop, originally designed for seniors but now of interest for any age group, is scheduled for Sept. 19 from 1 to 3pm.
A panel of speakers is set to attend the event, all with various experiences dealing with mental health, including:
– Elsa Mann, Mount Forest Family Health Team;
– Donna McFarlane, Recovery Canada volunteer facilitator;
– Joe Wettlaufer, Mount Forest Family Health Team community outreach team member; and
– Kristin Hunter, Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team social worker.
Mann will be discussing mental health resources and a social prescribing pilot program at the Mount Forest Family Health Team, Edwards stated.
McFarlane and Wettlaufer are both set to share their mental health journey, “providing information and a demonstration on their CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) strategies for dealing with anxiety, depression and other illnesses.”
Hunter will discuss signs and symptoms, life changes that can cause mental illness, and tips to stay mentally well, officials stated.
There will also be a chance for guests to ask panelists questions.
Those interested are encouraged to attend and learn ways to address mental health challenges, officials say.
