It’s an important conversation and one I was proud to be a part of.
Last week I participated in a round table panel discussion about mental health.
The discussion, which was live streamed on Facebook, was hosted by The Harmony Initiative Society (THIS) and moderated by television host and producer Fiona Forbes.
The evening brought together representatives from the City of Delta, Delta Police, youth, mental health experts, media and community members.
Mental health is tough topic to handle, but I think we struck up a real dialogue on a very difficult subject.
At the start of the discussion, we were all asked to introduce ourselves and provide a bit of background on what brought us to the table and what we were hoping to learn from the experience.
I was asked by my friend Warren Dean Flandez, the co-founder of THIS to participate. I was honoured to be asked. My participation, I felt, was a chance to listen and learn.
As the evening progressed, the forum was that and so much more.
I was heartened to see so many people in the community, many who have become friends as well as colleagues and news sources for our work here at the Optimist, open up and share their experiences with mental health. We heard many personal stories…stories that most times would be very hard to share, but the willingness of the participants to open up and share, I hope, provided not only those participating, but those watching from home, the courage to speak up and to know that talking about mental health challenges is okay.
The City of Delta and Delta Police earlier this year launched a campaign about ending the stigma of mental health. Delta has also produced a new booklet with information and resources available here in Delta.
Mental health is and should be an ongoing discussion in our community and I pledge to continue to be a part of that discussion.
