By Miranda Brumwell

P.A.’s CMHA branch holds first annual walk for mental health awareness

May 2, 2016 | 5:00 PM

The Prince Albert Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) branch kicked off Mental Health Awareness week with their first annual walk. Their theme this year is #GetLoud, encouraging people to stand up and talk about mental health and to help reduce the stigma around it.

“There’s so much discrimination and stigma attached to the words ‘mental health’ that if you start talking about it, maybe it’ll lessen the stigma and discrimination,” Anna Marie Huybrecht, program director and executive assistant for PACMHA said.

Executive director Doug Kinar said it will also help open the door for those suffering from mental health issues to be able to stand up and talk about their own battles.

“It’s just getting out there and talking about it. Letting people see and shine a light on the issues surrounding mental health will allow more people to talk about it,” he said.

Kyle Anderson runs a photography group through PACMHA and does peer support. He said he suffers from anxiety and wanted to help support the walk and raise awareness. He said through the photography group and doing peer support, it helps him get outside of his own head.

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“My photography, my involvement here and the active and recovery-based services, help me support my own recovery and helps support other people’s recovery here,” he said.

PACMHA started the walk small this year just as a tester, but hope to gain more momentum and support to be able to continue the walk annually. However, Huybrecht said with or without the support of the community, they will continue the walk as long as the city allows them to do so.

Miranda.brumwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @mlbrumwell