PrimaCare FHT invites you to Paris’ first Mental Health & Wellness Fair

The PrimaCare Community Family Health Team’s Mental Health Committee is excited to present the community’s first ever Mental Health and Wellness Fair on Monday, May 5th. The team has worked hard, with the help of volunteers Karen, Trish, Elizabeth and Becky (not pictured) to organize the free community fair. Pictured from left to right are Mental Health Committee members Jennifer Smith, Ina Bahdanovich, Kathleen Foldvari and Carling Mitchell.

By Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

With Mental Health Week fast approaching from May 5 – 11, a local healthcare group’s working hard to arrange a series of free community activities and seminars that shed a light on the importance mental health self-care.  Representatives from the PrimaCare Community Family Health Team (FHT) formed a small but mighty mental health committee last year with an informal goal of promoting awareness. The committee is led by founding member Jennifer Smith, PrimaCare Community FHT Administrative Assistant and includes colleagues Carling Mitchell, Child and Youth Mental Health Counsellor, Kathleen Foldvari, Registered Social Worker and Ina Bahdanovich, Registered Social Worker. The idea developed from a City of Brantford initiative that kicks off Mental Health Week with activities in Harmony Square. Smith, a member of that mental health week committee headed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, wondered what can we do in Brant County? So, the Paris woman set about the task of creating a similar event in her community. “I thought why can’t we have a kickoff event?” Smith asked. “And then the plans expanded to invite people from the mental health and wellness industry to participate. Everyone was RSVPing ‘yes’ and that’s when it developed into a fair!”The fair’s theme, Moving More for our Mental Health, will feature mental health and wellness vendors, allowing you to explore the benefits movement, physical exercise and self-care have on your health. There will be prizes of various denominations donated by local businesses, activity tables for adults and kids, provided by the County of Brant Library, free food and beverages, and a cool photo-op in the lobby. This free fair will take place in the Cowan Community Health Hub, 25 Curtis Ave Paris on Monday, May 5 from 4 pm to 7 pm. The outreach of industry support really showcases the community’s willingness to back the mental health awareness movement, said Smith. The PrimaCare group, located within the Cowan Community Health Hub, has seen an increase in demand for mental health services, especially since the pandemic. In the last year they’ve onboarded two new mental health professionals. The uptake in services is a good sign because it means people are coming forward and openly discussing mental health struggles with their healthcare professionals. But there’s still work to do. The Canadian Mental Health Association says almost one half (49%) of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem – and approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada more than 6.7 million people are living with a mental health condition in Canada.Smith said she hopes events like this Wellness Fair will show people there are resources available in the community. During the fair, there will be a drop off donation table in support of Nova Vita. There’s a need for kid safe sunscreen and nut free lunch snacks such as granola bars, fruit cups and pouches. The Mental Health Wellness Fair is just the start of five days of carefully planned events designed to promote wellness and encourage people to find ways to cultivate positive mental health practices in their lives. On Tuesday, May 6th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the Wilkin Boardroom at the Cowan Community Health Hub, Heidi (Niminweendam), an Indigenous Mental Health professional is leading a keychain drums workshop hosted by Gihekdayge. On Wednesday, May 7th join the Guyanese Fit Chick, Gayle Smith, as she leads a Soca Dance mini class in the Health Hub’s Community Room from 12 pm to 1 pm. Gayle will share details about her mental health and fitness journey. Later that day, Jill Ferras, co-owner of Up Yoga and Wellness, is hosting an Emotional Freedom Technique workshop, commonly known as “tapping.” This acupressure technique uses the meridian system from traditional Chinese Medicine to release unwanted thoughts. Ferras’ workshop takes place at 5:30 pm in the Health Hub’s Wilkin Boardroom. Ina Bahdanovich, a clinical social worker/therapist and member of the PrimaCare Community FHT, is leading a ‘Staying Connected with What is Important’ workshop. It is designed to help participants identify what is truly important in their lives and to develop strategies for focusing on and prioritizing those aspects. This event takes place May 8 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in the Health Hub’s Wilkin Boardroom. Finally, the weeklong mental health awareness wraps up with a key discussion called Moving Toward Mental Wellness: The Power of Mind Body Healing. Hosted by Cobblestone Medicine Rehab at the Health Hub on May 9th at 5 pm, speakers Namrata Shah, orthopedic and pelvic physiotherapist and Amanda Graff, registered psychotherapist, will lead the engaging workshop that focuses on how stress and trauma impact the nervous system and why talk therapy helps healing. The PrimaCare Community FHT Mental Health Committee carefully thought out and planned these workshops in partnership with local industry experts. They are all free to attend but participants are asked to preregister online so the committee can gauge attendance. You can register by visiting the PrimaCare social media accounts where each event poster has a QR code. If you’re not comfortable registering online, you can also call their office at 519-442-9834 for more information.Opportunities like this wellness series help bridge the gap between suffering in silence and seeking solace. Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected (Canadian Mental Health Association). As a prelude to the Mental Health Wellness Fair, PrimaCare Community FHT has launched its Compassion Awards program, which launched last year. Nominations are open until April 28th. There are two separate categories, for child and youth ages 5-17 and adults 18+. The public is encouraged to nominate any individual they feel demonstrates compassion and understanding in their daily lives, someone who is involved in the community or takes time to lend an empathetic ear to those in need. The PrimaCare FHT Mental Health Committee will select the winners who receive a $100 gift card to a business of their choice. Mental Health Awareness Week runs from May 5 to 9. There will be a flag raising ceremony behind council chambers on May 5th at 11 am to officially launch the awareness campaign.