A town hall focusing on mental health in rural communities will be held in Prince George later this month.
Rural Minds Matter: Leading Together For Resilience is a mental health awareness campaign delivered by Stigma-Free Mental Health Society for rural and remote communities in Canada.
According to the Stigma-Free Mental Health Society (SFMHS), 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a challenge to their mental health year, with that number rising further for those living in rural Canada. They also say nearly half of them will avoid seeking support due to entrenched stigma in small or remote towns.
They’re focusing a new pilot program in Northern BC with its inaugural Rural Minds Matter Awareness Campaign.
“In rural communities, connection is everything,” said SFMHS President and Co-Founder Andrea Paquette.
“‘Rural Minds Matter’ is about fostering a sense of belonging and empowering individuals to support on another in overcoming mental health challenges. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities.”
In addition to participating at the North Central Local Government Association convention in Prince Rupert from May 12th to 15th, they will be hosting a trio of townhalls across the north in partnership with AgLife and AgSafe BC:
- Terrace, May 13
- Prince George, May 14
- Fort St. John, May 15
More information on the campaign can be found here.
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