STONY PLAIN, AB: Get ready to nurture your mind! Mental Health Week is returning May 1 to May 7. Collectively and individually, we have multiple layers that make us who we are and contribute to our overall wellbeing, and while each year 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness or mental health issue, 5 in 5 of us – that’s all people – have mental health that needs to be nurtured.

This year, the Tri-Municipal Region is excited to host Nurture Your Mind - A Mental Health Week Celebration. This event takes place May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will include a variety of different activities and learning opportunities related to mental wellbeing. Registered sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. A connection to animals and nature exhibit, as well as drop-in activities such as art, games and of course food get started at noon. The event will be a combination of indoor and outdoor activities on the Pioneer Museum grounds and has something to offer the entire family.

“Mental Health Week is a great reminder for us to take a moment to slow down and reflect on our mental wellness,” says Brooklyn Bignell, Stony Plain Wellness Community Development Officer. “How can we nurture our minds, care for our overall wellness and be better able take care of ourselves and each other? This event is a great opportunity to explore a variety of activities and sessions that contribute to our wellbeing both individually and collectively.”

“It’s important to take care of our mental health. This week, we encourage you to take a pause and check in with yourself and others,” says Parkland County Mayor Allan Gamble. “Here in Parkland County, we are grateful for how rural living integrates us within the great outdoors. Our residents and visitors can connect with nature by visiting one of our beautiful parks, exploring one of our natural areas or sitting by one of our many lakes. It’s often in these natural places that we feel most at peace and most refreshed.”

“We all lead busy, fast-paced lives and it’s important that we take the time to slow down, take a breath, and do what’s necessary for our own mental wellness,” says Spruce Grove Mayor Jeff Acker. “We’re proud to join with our neighbours to offer these sessions and activities for residents to learn about mental well-being and the resources available to those who are struggling. Mental Health Week is always a great reminder to reflect and refocus on our mental health needs, and it’s something we all need to start being aware of and taking care of, each and every day of the year.”

“Mental Health Week is an opportunity for all of us to take time to nurture our mental health and wellbeing,” says Stony Plain Mayor William Choy. “Taking time to reconnect with nature and finding balance in our lives helps our own mental health and increases our ability to offer support to those around us.”

To learn more about Mental Health Week and register for Nurture Your Mind education sessions, visit the Town of Stony Plain website.