Mental illness is a problem that affects about 20 per cent of Canadians in their lifetime.
To help deal with the problem in Smithers and the Bulkley Valley area, there’s a mental health open house tonight.
“We’ve got a number of initiatives underway. And tonight(Thursday, May 5)was our chance to inform the public, tell them this is available to them – we’re working on this in your community and getting input into how we can make things better,” explains Project Lead for the Smithers Community Wellness Local Action Team Cheryl Hofweber.
She says Smithers will be joining the other 64 action groups across the province. The idea is to collaborate with the different social services in the community like Child Youth and Mental health.
“I think many times when the word mental illness comes up people get a little uncomfortable. You don’t get uncomfortable with a broken arm,” says Hofweber.
The initiative will be sponsored by BC Doctors and the Ministry of health – a program that’s the first of it’s kind in Smithers.
Their services are free and welcome to anyone – the open house is at the Northwest Community College tonight from 5-8 at the Smithers campus.
Something going on in the Bulkley Valley Lakes District you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
