KAMSACK — Last week marked Mental Health Week, but a free-admission event May 28 to 30 at Kamsack's OCC Hall extends beyond just seven days for people to better understand the mental health of themselves and their loved ones.
Under the theme "Connecting Communities – Better Together," the fair is jointly organized by Cote, Keeseekoose, The Key First Nations, Saulteaux Healing and Wellness, Yorkton Tribal Council, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Indigenous Services Canada, Suncrest College, and Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (SIGN), to bring people together to foster collective wellbeing.
“The music and food are the icing on top of a great three days. We have speakers coming from Saskatoon, Regina, and Yorkton and I really feel anyone who comes for all three days, or even an afternoon, will gain something from the event,” wrote Candice Nelson, manager at SIGN Positive Impact in an email, who is one of the organizers of the event.
On the day, attendees will be welcomed by over 30 vendors and agencies.
The event starts each day at 9 a.m. with breakfast and the health fair booth, the first speaker each day will be at 10 a.m., followed with local musicians serenading during lunches. The day wraps up by 3 p.m. and each day will end with a wellness activity.
The health fair booths are closed during the speakers, but there is an opportunity for people to check it all out at any time in the day.
Onsite support will be ready – including Elders and mental health counsellors for people to engage, if they wish to talk with someone about what they heard or learned throughout the day.
“It’s hard to admit you might need some help. It’s confusing to know when you are just feeling a little down, or when you have clinical depression. How much worry is normal and when to seek help for anxiety,” Nelson wrote. “I would hope an event like this brings it closer to home and will help open up some conversations.”
The local high schools have been invited to attend on the last day, but it will still be a day everyone will enjoy, Nelson wrote.
“Better together! We can’t all be planning the speakers, or there would be no MC! We can’t all be the MC, or there would be no food. If we were all in charge of food, who would be at the health fair?”
“If people have any more questions about the event, would like to attend, sponsor a portion of the day, donate a door prize or have a vendor booth at the health fair, they can contact [email protected].”
