Submitted by Mental Health Estrie (MHE) Staff
Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from Oct. 4 to 10 this year, and we encourage you to build connections during this time. Working on your mental health is often framed as an independent journey, but really, building community and connecting with others can have vast impacts on your mental well-being. Having a reliable and trustworthy support network is a protective factor against the deterioration of one’s mental health.
Connection fosters better mental and physical health and improves overall quality of life. Stable social systems lower stress, boost mood, fight loneliness, lower blood pressure, reduce nervous system activation, and build confidence. Interacting with friends, acquaintances, and even strangers in small moments can greatly affect your mood throughout the day. A compliment from a stranger can be the difference between a bad day and a day with a silver lining. Think of ways you can make a difference in someone’s day this week through a random act of kindness: a compliment, paying it forward at a drive-through, or writing a thank-you note.
Mental Health Estrie (MHE) offers peer support groups for those looking for connection during difficult times. We offer one for those who are impacted by mental illness and one for caregivers of those impacted by mental illness. These groups are designed for people with common experiences to support each other, share their stories, and engage in mentally stimulating, well-being-based activities and conversation. MHE provides a confidential space for individuals to express their feelings and find reciprocal peer relationships.
MHE also offers a Walk & Talk group that meets every Friday at 9 a.m. Their home base is the Tomifobia Trail in Ayer’s Cliff, but they often explore other hidden gems in the Eastern Townships. The Walk & Talk group is for those who want to get some gentle movement while connecting with others and appreciating local nature. Contact info@mentalhealthestrie.com to learn more about the group’s movements.
The Eastern Townships offers many opportunities for individuals and groups to connect through shared activities and conversation. Organizations such as The Lennoxville & District Women’s Centre (LDWC) (Lennoxville), Avante (Bedford), Brome Lake Books and Black Cat Books (Lennoxville) offer many public events, activities, and community groups, with programming available in different communities across the region. The Lac-Brome Men’s Shed provides a space for men to partner on projects and host gatherings. You can find other events and gatherings through community centers, mental health organizations, historical societies, Centre d’action bénévole (CABs), and local businesses, among many others! You can often find events by searching your interests and adding “events near me” to a search engine.
You can reach out to Mental Health Estrie if you want help connecting with local events, organizations, or groups that fit your interests. Breaking isolation can increase mental well-being and protect you during stressful times. Mental Illness Awareness Week may end on October 10, but the connections you build can carry forward, offering support and connection throughout the year.
Please subscribe to read more like this, published every Friday
