PREECEVILLE — The Town of Preeceville hosted a Let’s Talk, Mental Health Walk and presentation with Heather Cody, a Clinical Counsellor with The Counselling Corner and Registered Social Worker from the Humboldt area on Oct. 15.
Cody has been in this field of work in several different roles for over 20 years and has gained diverse knowledge along with an abundance of experience. Throughout her career, she has worked with many people of all ages in various environments.
Recently, she started travelling to Preeceville to offer counselling services in the community and the surrounding area. Cody is based out of The Missing Peace Therapy Centre in Preeceville.
“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being,” she said. “It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.”
Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.
“A person’s mental health can change over time, depending on many factors. When the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health could be impacted. For example, if someone is working long hours, caring for a relative, or experiencing economic hardship, they may experience poor mental health which lead to mental illness,” said Cody.
Mental illness is characterized by changes in an individual's thinking, mood, or behaviour and is usually associated with significant distress or impaired functioning in social, occupational or other activities.
Examples of mental illness are: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and substance-related disorders.
Mental illness can affect anyone. Some factors have been associated with mental illness, including: family history, stressful life event, negative early life experiences and socio-economic status
Early care and seeking treatment can help individuals recover from or manage a mental illness. However, stigma and other barriers can delay people from seeking help.
According to the Government of Canada website, one in three Canadians (about 9.1 million people) will be affected by a mental illness during their lifetime. But only one in seven, which is about 15 per cent of Canadians, will use health services for a mental illness.
“In closing, if you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your loved ones, access community support, talk to your doctor or seek professional help. There is always someone here to listen. You are not alone,” Cody concluded.
