This is National Mental Health Week and local officials stress support is available to those who need it even with COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions.
Marcel Penner is the Director for Mental Health and Addictions at the Dryden Regional Health Centre.
Penner says Counselling and other services are being offered over the phone or by video conferencing.
He says the crisis response line in Kenora and River River district is available at 1-866-888-8988 or you can take advantage of local Counselling services at 223-6678.
Penner admits the pandemic has made it difficult to balance physical distancing and isolation with reaching out and connecting with others.
Penner offers the following tip:
“You don’t need to give advise. It’s best to just listen to people. Show understanding, show support and sometimes just be present for somebody to vent or share their struggles with you without telling them what to do. But if they should ask you for help, by all means, there’s counselling services available.”
Penner believes we are making great progress to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.
“I think there is a much better understanding in the community and our culture to those who suffer with mental illness. As a result of that, there’s much more support and willingness to reach out for mental health counselling, for crisis services, or seeing your doctor and doing what you need to do.”
For more information and tips visit https://mentalhealthweek.ca/
To hear more from Marcel Penner, visit the Audio link below.
