Millions across Canada observed Mental Health Week including many from Airdrie.

While the week officially ends tomorrow (May 13th), many believe that the topic of mental health will always be around.

Mike Loughman (left) is one of many Airdrie residents commemorating Mental Health Week.

“Mental health is here to stay,” says local Mental Health advocate Mike Loughman, “We have to deal with it, we have to maintain it. The more people that go out and do this the more youngsters will be willing to get help at a younger age, they won’t be scared to step forward.”

Loughman says that over the last few years, not only has he shared his story and struggle but he’s also heard from others.

“I thought people would judge me or just [say] ‘no I don’t want to talk to you.’ People actually opened up in the store, I was speaking to customers or the manager and people just started sharing their story in front of other people.”

The Airdrie Addictions and Mental Health Centre have also taken time over the while to spread the message of Mental Health awareness in the community.

“We’ve had some events at the schools, the elementary schools, to talk about mental health,” says Child and Youth Outreach Worker Sara Pandel, “We have done some presentations throughout the city talking about mental health at the library and other community centres. We also run groups and we have done teaching presentations where we’ve talked about mental health.”

Pandel says that her team continues to see more people in the community embrace the message of talking about mental health issues.

“With knowledge becomes a conversation and a conversation becomes more knowledge and education and I think that the more the word is out there, people are starting to understand what is mental health, we all have mental health, it’s health. It’s about taking care of yourself.”

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