UPDATE 2 p.m. This has changed to a VIRTUAL EVENT in support of essential workers and Mental Health Awareness Week. Please wear green and post a selfie to the event page to show your support!!
NEWS RELEASE
WAYPOINT CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
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In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to look after our own mental health, and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is urging all of us to not just get loud, but #GetReal about it.
May 4 to 10 is National Mental Health Week and Waypoint is acknowledging this year’s campaign with a celebratory drive-by tribute in support of all essential workers, from hospital employees and emergency services to grocery store workers and beyond.
“Reports are showing that 50 per cent of Canadians are experiencing a decline in mental health due to the present restrictions related to COVID-19,” says Carol Lambie, Waypoint president and CEO. “While we have a number of initiatives in place to support our employees, we wanted to use the occasion of Mental Health Week to say thank you to all the essential workers.”
The drive-by tribute, which also includes Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC), is scheduled for May 6 at 3:30 p.m. Participants will meet at Sandy Bay Road in Penetanguishene, then make their way through the CNCC parking lot, onto the Waypoint campus, looping around the Atrium, Bayfield and Toanche Buildings, then back out again.
“We’d love the community to join us in these recognition efforts and for everyone to stay safe while doing so,” says Lambie. “We ask that participants do not exit their vehicles and to come only with the people from their immediate household to be sure we’re adhering to social gathering and physical distancing rules.”
Decorate your vehicles with signs of encouragement and wear green to show your support of Mental Health Week. Waypoint will have a lead car waiting at Sandy Bay Road and Fuller Avenue to escort participants through the route.
In the words of CMHA, we need each other now more than ever. It’s time to #GetReal about how we feel and lean on others for support. Even if we can’t be close physically, we can still support one another through this pandemic.
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