The Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) annual Mental Health Week is May 4-10, 2020

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week is social connection. Connecting with other people and our communities doesn’t just feel good. It’s good for our mental health.Research shows that social connection and social support are factors that protect and promote good mental health. Feeling socially connected means you feel close and connected to others, and you don’t have to be in physical proximity to nurture a sense of closeness and connection. Social isolation and loneliness are bad for everyone’s mental health.

It’s common in our society to ask people how they are. Unfortunately, it’s also common not to provide—or expect—a truthful answer. It’s common in Canada to say we’re fine, even when we don’t really mean it. Every time we just go through the motions, we miss a chance to connect with others in a meaningful way.

As we face the COVID-19 global pandemic, we need each other now more than ever. It’s time to #GetRealabout how we feel and lean on others for support. This Mental Health Week, let’s say more than just “I’m fine.” Let’s have real conversations with our friends, neighbours and coworkers about how we’re all really doing. We’re in this together.  In these days of social distancing (more accurately called physical distancing), we are learning that we don’t have to be close to feel We are together, even when we’re apart.

CMHA Mental Health Week Virtual Classrooms

In these days of social distancing, or as we like to more appropriately say – physical distancing, we are learning that we don’t have to be close but we must feel close. We need to feel we are together, even when we are apart. It is precisely the time, during and in recovery from the pandemic, to lean on each other. Even if we can’t be close physically with one another, we need to stay close emotionally.

Join CMHA Niagara online for some virtual classroom fun that support good mental health and wellbeing. https://cmhaniagara.ca/mhw-activities/

May 4 at 11 a.m.EDT (45 minutes) or 8am PDT

Mindfulness of Feeling Tone (Vendana) presented by Nancy Dougherty of Niagara Healing Arts.

May 5 at 1 p.m. EDT(1 hour)  or 10am PDT

Coping with Unemployment presented by CMHA Niagara.

May 6 at 5 p.m. (1 hour) EDT or 2pm PDT

Get Yoga., presented by Bridgewater Yoga.

May 7 at 1 p.m. EDT(1 hour) or 10am PDT

Self Care for Uncertain Times presented by Laura Hughes.

May 8 time TBA

Music Speaks: Tips and tricks to help you #GetReal using your own voice presented by Tenja Hagenberg of Performance on Point.

Get involved

• Visit mentalhealthweek.cafor info and tools about CMHA Mental Health Week.
• Connect with us on social media using the hashtags #GetRealand #MentalHealthWeek.