The Executive Director of an Airdrie mental health organization said, while we may be in the COVID-19 pandemic for only a short time longer, its lasting effects could go on for years.  

Kim Titus made the comment while discussing the month of June, which Airdrie council proclaimed Mental Health and Addictions Awareness Month at its meeting of May 17 on behalf of the Thumbs Up Foundation.  

Titus said it might be the most important one the city has ever proclaimed.

"It's a good reminder, particularly under these difficult circumstances of being long into a pandemic.  We see more and more people's mental health being adversely affected so perhaps this is the most important one we've asked the city to proclaim in its history."

Thumbs Up is finding that during COVID-19, people who wouldn't historically feel that their mental health might be compromised in any way are starting to experience the effects. 

"That's who we're hearing from and it's harder on them because they don't have a history per se."

According to Titus, studies on the brain have shown us a lot about how it functions as it pertains to mental health.

"We are social mammals," said Titus.  "And a part of keeping our mental health and our dopamine levels elevated is socialization.  So when we're isolated like this there is physiology to the mental health that occurs.  When our dopamine levels go down, so does our overall sense of well-being and mental wellness."

She said the pandemic rules and restrictions have been very difficult for people to accept and operate under.

"We're just seeing the tip of it now.  "The fires of Fort McMurray and the floods of High River have taught us when these kinds of things happen, the ripple effect is long-lasting.  We're in it now but this is something that we're not going to recover from as soon as the pandemic restrictions are over and we're back to, 'normal."

Titus said it's important that people take advantage of the little things that can be done while restrictions are still on.  Connecting with each other, even if it's only through Zoom or text, getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, being physically active and being mindful of your mental health. 

Although the Thumbs Up Foundation believes every month should be Mental Health Awareness Month, Titus said June is a good time to bring it to the forefront.  One way they plan to do that is through an event called "Food Truck Fever."

Cam Clark Ford is doing the event as a fundraiser for Thumbs Up.  It will go Friday, June 4 between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm and again on Saturday from noon to 7:00 pm at the dealership located at 613 Edmonton Trail.  

"It's a way for people to get out and do something different, support a good cause and have some good food from the food trucks.  We're extremely grateful for their support because it helps us support others."

The foundation also encourages people to snap photos of themselves with a "thumbs up"  and then post them using hashtags like #toughonsuicide, #inittogether, and #bridgesnotfences.  Titus thinks it's a fun way to collectively show that we're all doing things in a mindful way to push the pandemic aside and create some positive energy around mental health.

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