The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is getting some much-needed funding thanks to a donation from Shoppers Drug Mart.
The company has donated $500,000 to the national organization to help further services directly connected to improving mental health and wellbeing.
Community program coordinator Denise Miller says the New Brunswick chapter’s Well-Being Learning Centre will receive some of the funding, and it will help support New Brunswickers through more wellness programming.
“It’s for everyone in the community, so family members, friends, service providers and individuals looking to strengthen their wellbeing,” said Miller.
Some of the free programs offered by the centre, which can be accessed virtually, include managing stress, sleep hygiene, challenging loneliness, pushing past stigma surrounding mental health and creating new routines post-pandemic.
Miller says the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on those who deal with anxiety, depression and isolation on a regular basis, but there has been a plus side.
Now, she says more people are taking the time to practice self-care.
“People are really wanting to learn more and are focused more about building wellness and resilience, so we’re really trying to support that in this programming,” said Miller.
“People just slowed down and begun to reprioritize; we have begun to start seeing what is truly important to each of us … we’re focused on what we have and not so worried on what we don’t have anymore.”
In fact, the pandemic, in addition to funding from sponsors like Shoppers, solidified the association’s need and desire to hold classes, which many CHMA chapters across Canada already offered, Miller said.
“We had to bite the bullet and say, ‘will it ever be the right time,” said Miller. “This national donation is so important to us. It will help us to produce more programming, bring in more facilitators and launch more well-being centres across the country.”
Each course is being offered with flexible hours so people can attend regardless of their work schedules or other commitments.
Anyone interested in taking part in any of the classes can visit the CMHA’s New Brunswick chapter website.
Aaron Sousa is a summer intern with Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
