A psychologist and professor from northwestern Ontario has been named one of the champions of Canadian mental heath.
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health holds the awards every year, but because of COVID-19, they will be honouring their champions on-line this year.
Dr. Chris Mushquash is originally from Sioux Lookout and says its not only an honour to be recognized, but it also acknowledges the work of others across the region.
“The really nice thing about it is that it does draw attention to a lot of work that I’ve been partnered over the years in northwestern Ontario. The award really is shared with communities, organizations, trainees and partners on a wide range of clinical and research projects that we’ve been undertaking.”
This is Mental Health Week.
Dr. Mushquash says “For many people there is a sense of uncertainty, a sense of anxiety that goes along with situations as unpredictable as COVID-19. Some people have the resources or the capacities to try and manage that or offset that as best of possible. Really, really working hard at home to maintain routines, structure and sleep.”
He adds many people have a social safety net in order to cope with mental setbacks, but the coronavirus makes things very difficult right now.
“If you’re a member of a group that gets together frequently to support each other, well that’s a difficult thing. What has happened for many people is that people have shifted the way they connect and used a lot more distance and online-type technologies.”
