by Carol Aun – Mission City Record
Everyone’s mental health should be celebrated, said Paul McCracken, employment specialist at Centennial Place (CP), who is hoping the community will do just that during Mental Health Week May 5-9.
“Whether things are going well for you, or if you’ve recovered from a mental illness, it’s something to celebrate,” McCracken explained.
This year’s theme to celebrate, connect, and grow reaches out to everyone.
One in five Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetime, and the more people who are educated on the issue, the better, said McCracken, adding people who are diagnosed with the condition are typically people with jobs and a home, although some may also struggle with addiction and poverty.
For example, people with depression tend to isolate themselves, feel trapped or have social anxiety, he explained. “One way for us to help is to reach out to people.”
