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When the CMHA Champlain East celebrated Mental Health Week 2023 on Friday morning in Cornwall, it was, well, truly a celebration.
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A high-energy gathering of young and older had a great time at what was a 90-minute presentation in the courtyard near city hall, with, early on, student volunteers joining fitness instructor Marilyn Parisien on stage for dancing that had the crowd up on its feet and keeping pace.
There were serious moments too, when speakers and CMHA volunteers talked about overcoming their mental health challenges.
Event organizer Angele D’Alessio, mental health promoter with CMHA Champlain East, in introducing the event that was a flag raising ceremony to celebrate mental health week, said this year’s theme is My story, and that “we all have a story when it comes to mental health.”
D’Alessio said it’s important to change perceptions and beliefs about mental health, and supporters are doing that by attending campaign launch events each year; it was the 72nd annual mental health week the CMHA has promoted.
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She said the 90-minute gathering was all about highlighting different ways we can improve our mental health, with activities such as dancing, doing art work, telling stories, moving, and playing music.
“These activities are called self-care, and that’s what we want to spotlight today,” D’Alessio said.
Even Mother Nature made a contribution, bringing along a glimpse of her mid-spring A-game, the temperature still not into the teens in mid-morning, but it feeling positively balmy after two weeks of gloominess.
“Thank you for bringing the sun,” D’Alessio told an energized crowd at the start of the event.
Looking out into the courtyard from the podium, Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale made note of the size of the crowd that included everyone from school kids to paramedics.
“Mental health and self-care is so important, and coming out of the pandemic I think that’s never been more apparent,” he said. “I’m not ashamed to say that I didn’t come out of (the pandemic) unscathed – I don’t think anybody did.”
The event shone a spotlight on community-based mental health care champions and programs, showcasing the importance of how mental health care can be expressed and nurtured.
A barbecue was held courtesy of The Optimist Club of Cornwall/Baxtrom’s YIG/Wholesale Club.
thambleton@postmedia.com
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