As achieving mental health wellness continues to be a challenge for many Canadians following the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Kawartha Lakes is recognizing “Mental Health Week” by sharing resources and stressing the importance of having compassion for oneself and others.
“Healing through Compassion” is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Week, spearheaded by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), which runs from May 6 to 12.
“Over the last few years, there has been an increase in community members who experience mental health challenges,” Kawartha Lakes noted in a media release.
“The prolonged stress of the pandemic lockdowns, the worry over the health of family and friends, the increased cost of living and the lack of control over all of these things has increased our stress levels and taken a toll on our mental health.”
While facing mental health challenges can feel isolating, practising compassion can be used as a tool to help during tough times, the release noted. Scientific evidence suggests that giving compassion, receiving compassion, and accepting self-compassion are all very beneficial to one’s mental health.
“Compassion is the emotional response to the struggles of others combined with a real, authentic desire to help lessen their suffering and respond with care,” said Margaret Eaton, CMHA’s national CEO, in a media release.
“With so much hardship going on in the world, compassion is needed now more than ever.”
Offering compassion to oneself and others improves relationships with friends, family, co-workers, and community members, Kawartha Lakes noted. “Improving relationships with those around us leads to the promotion of positive emotions to uplift ourselves and others.”
A recent study by CMHA and Maru/Matchbox found that almost all Canadians (92 per cent) identify themselves to be compassionate. Evidence also suggests that giving compassion, receiving compassion, and allowing ourselves to experience self-compassion are all very beneficial to a person’s mental health.
“It is important to show ourselves the same level of compassion, patience, and kindness we show others. When we’re having a tough day, no matter the circumstance, it can be difficult to perform to the best of our abilities. During these times, it is important to recognize that everyone has bad days sometimes, and you are not alone.”
Setting reasonable expectations and goals, while allowing oneself space to achieve them, is one way to practise self-compassion.
When it comes to extending compassion towards others, Kawartha Lakes recommends:
- Showing warmth and understanding during times of suffering, failure, or perceived inadequacy
- Acknowledging that both suffering and personal shortcomings are unavoidable aspects of the shared human experience
- Adopting a balanced approach to emotions to ensure feelings are neither suppressed nor exaggerated.
Kawartha Lakes reminds residents there are resources available and encourages community members to utilize the following resources when needed:
- 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide or who is worried about someone they know. Call anytime for support.
- Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text “CONNECT” (686868). A live chat is available from 7 p.m. to midnight. Find more information at kidshelpphone.ca.
- BounceBack: BounceBack is a free, skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15 and older manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach, users will get access to tools to support their mental wellness. Find more information at bouncebackontario.ca.
- Farmer Wellness Initiative: This initiative provides Ontario farmers, farm families, farm employees, and spouses and dependents of farm employees with free, unlimited mental health counselling, specific to the unique challenges that they can be experienced by the agricultural community. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by calling 1-866-267-6255.
Founded in 1918, CMHA is the most established, most extensive community mental health federation in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and the Yukon, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources aimed to help prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.
