Given the wide variety of conditions that may fall under the heading of “mental health” as well as the numerous agencies involved, it can be a bit overwhelming for those seeking help to figure out how to navigate the system, or even where to start.
According to the Government of Canada’s health information website, mental illness is characterized by changes in an individual's thinking, mood, or behaviour and is usually associated with significant distress or impaired functioning in social, occupational or other activities. Statistics indicate that one in three Canadians will be affected by a mental illness during their lifetime.
To address the challenge of how to find help, and in addition to all the services they already provide in this important area, Cochrane Family and Community Support Services has launched a mental health website, which will house a multitude of information on resources available – everything from information for those looking for help for themselves, to information for those who want to help others.
Meghan Vornholt is the community liaison and programmer with Community Helpers with the Town of Cochrane. She said the new website came together as a result of collaboration between community members, as a result of an initiative from Cochrane Victims Services. The idea started roughly a year ago.
The hope is that the website – cochranecares.ca – will prove an invaluable tool for anyone with any kind of mental health-related need. The goal is to provide all the resources in one place.
“When people reach that point where they’re ready for help, a large part of the barrier is realizing they need help,” Vornholt said. “And sometimes when they’re willing to get help, it comes with a maze of navigating where to find all the resources, and that can be quite taxing and frustrating and they might stop the search.
“So one of the main goals was making it so they don’t have to go to 10 different websites, and maybe lose track.”
There are numerous other categories of support services listed on the website, including Indigenous support, addictions support, sexual abuse, kids help, LGBTQ support, and many others.
The site separates local resources specific to Cochrane, as well as provincial and national help lines, including what hours each of those services are available.
Users will also find some mental health education on the website, using the historic Grandfather Tree as a symbol to explain the four pillars of mental wellness: physical, social connections, spiritual health, and mental/emotional health.
The site explains its benefits using the tree as an analogy: “When strongly rooted, a tree can make it through the storms and weather that comes its way,” it reads.
“All tree roots are interconnected with other trees, plants and shrubs; trees are the healthiest when they are supported by a strong community network.”
It delves further in an interactive format, illustrating how to support the four pillars in specific ways, like adopting healthy habits, asking for help, connecting with the community, drinking plenty of water, eating nutritious meals, finding rest and relaxation, finding screen substitutes, getting more sleep, getting exercise, keeping in touch with people, and more.
“There’s a lot of overlap,” Vernholt said of some of the suggested activities. “So if you go for a walk with a friend, it would be both physical and social, and that’s influencing your mental health in a positive way.”
One of the areas on the site that has her especially excited is called Stories of Hope. It features a number of videos with inspiring messages from people telling their own emotional narratives.
“It’s local Cochranites telling their stories about their mental health journeys, and the adversities they’ve overcome, how they positively contributed to their mental well-being,” Vornholt said.
“My hope is that maybe that page grows, and we see more Cochranites sharing their stories, and different stories are going to resonate with different people.”
As a result of the messages, Vernholt said some people may see that they’re not alone, and take hope away from the others’ experience.
People in need can call or text the Distress Centre Helpline 24/7 at 403-266-4357.
Talk Suicide Canada is a national 24/7 phone support line (1-888-456-4566) and 2 to 10 pm text support service (text 45645).
