Author: The Record
Published October 23, 2024

Photo by William Crooks
Tanya Gibson, Executive Director of Mental Health Estrie, stands in front of Lennoxville United Church on Oct. 23, promoting the upcoming “You Are Not Alone” mental health awareness service

Lennoxville United Church to host special service for mental health awareness

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Lennoxville United Church is set to hold its annual “You Are Not Alone” service on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. The event, organized by the church’s outreach team, aims to support and raise awareness about mental health issues, providing a space for reflection and community connection. The special service will feature music and a speaker with experience in mental health, with contributions going to Mental Health Estrie (MHE).

Nancy Baldwin, chair of the Lennoxville United Church outreach team, explained in a recent interview the origins and importance of the event. “We started this service about ten years ago when Linda Buchanan was our minister. We felt that, like our Service of Hope for cancer, mental health needed to be addressed too, as so many suffer in silence.” Baldwin emphasized the goal of the service is to “get rid of the stigma” and to show support for those struggling with their mental health.

The service will include music performed by the Lennoxville United Church choir, led by Maryse Simard, with featured soloists such as Jenn Cianca, Eleanor Gang, and Daniel Miller. Jamie Crooks, responsible for the music selection, shared in an email that the pieces chosen, such as “You’ve Got a Friend” and “What the World Needs Now (Is Love Sweet Love),” aim to create an uplifting and supportive atmosphere.

The main speaker, Daniel Miller, Chair of the Department of Religion, Society, and Culture at Bishop’s University, will address the congregation. According to Baldwin, Miller has both academic and personal insights into mental health, making him a fitting choice to lead the message. The service will also feature prayers written by Ron Coughlin, a long-time supporter of the church’s outreach efforts.

In addition to the spiritual and emotional support offered through music and spoken word, the service will collect donations for MHE. This organization, based in the Eastern Townships, has been a partner for several years, using funds to support various mental health initiatives, including support groups, workshops, and resources aimed at aiding individuals and families coping with mental health issues.

Tanya Gibson, Executive Director of MHE, emphasized in an Oct. 23 interview the importance of such community-led events. “Initiatives like these help people realize they are not alone and help bring mental illness out of the shadows,” she said. Gibson also noted that such events play a crucial role in combating stigma and raising awareness, highlighting that nearly one in five Canadians experiences mental illness each year. “By age 40, almost 50 per cent of Canadians will have experienced a mental health problem,” she added.

Gibson further explained the broader mission of MHE, which is to provide comprehensive mental health support to the community. The organization runs a variety of programs and services, including support groups for those dealing with specific mental health conditions and workshops that offer tools and coping strategies for both individuals and their families. MHE also maintains a lending library with mental health-themed materials and collaborates with local organizations like the Townshippers’ Association to develop resources such as grief guides.

One of MHE’s ongoing projects is the development of a new guide aimed at parents and caregivers of children and youth experiencing grief, an initiative Gibson described as essential in light of the increasing number of youth struggling with mental health issues post-pandemic. The previous guide on grief, created in collaboration with the Townshippers’ Association, has already reached many in the community. “We’re hoping to extend these efforts to help younger populations,” Gibson noted.

Funding from events like “You Are Not Alone” is crucial for MHE to maintain and expand its services. Contributions help ensure that individuals and families receive the support they need while waiting for medical interventions. Gibson acknowledged that the healthcare system is currently overburdened, with long waiting lists and insufficient access to therapists and doctors. As a result, MHE fills vital gaps by offering community-based support, resources, and workshops aimed at fostering recovery and well-being.

Following the service, attendees will be invited to gather in the church’s lower hall for refreshments and fellowship. Baldwin encouraged all community members to attend, reinforcing that the service is designed as a safe space for everyone. “Whether you’re personally affected by mental health issues or simply want to support those who are, we invite you to join us and proclaim that ‘You Are Not Alone,’” she said.

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