GUELPH – They say there’s nothing more valuable than your health.
The Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) hopes people will remember that as it launches its “Give the Gift of Mental Health” fundraising campaign.
The event launched on Nov. 21 – Giving Tuesday, which encourages individuals and organizations to participate in acts of kindness and charity, making an impact in large and small ways to make their community a better place.
In 2020, the Ipsos Global Health Service Monitor reported 26 per cent of respondents said mental health was one of the biggest health problems in their country. In 2023 that figure jumped to 44%.
In Waterloo-Wellington seven in 10 residents have accessed mental health services and support at some point for themselves or someone in their immediate family.
“I have been working in mental health for more than 20 years, and I have never experienced the complexity of need that we are seeing in our community today,” says Helen Fishburn, CEO of CMHA Waterloo Wellington.
“Every day we are responding to individuals and families who are in crisis and managing complex mental health and addiction issues.
“As we enter the holiday season, we are turning to the community to remind them of the importance of accessible mental health resources in our community.”
According to a Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health report on the secondary impacts of the pandemic, local children and youth are experiencing increases in mental health challenges across every indicator when comparing survey results from November 2019 and February 2022.
Children and youth in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin are reporting lower self-esteem, are struggling to cope, and do not feel hopeful about their future.
CMHA Waterloo Wellington supports individuals and families across Guelph and Wellington County by providing a range of mental health and addiction resources through partnerships with service providers across the community.
To ensure access to resources and services are readily available to people in need across the community, CMHA Waterloo Wellington is appealing to the public with the launch of its holiday campaign.
“With the help of local community members we can provide better support to children, youth, adults, and seniors in our community with the care they need and deserve,” says Fishburn.
“This year give the gift of mental health.”
To donate in Guelph and Wellington visit cmhaww.ca/givethegiftgw. To donate in Waterloo Region visit cmhaww.ca/givethegiftwr.
If you are in crisis or know someone who needs support, reach out to Here 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247 (Here 247).
