I have lived with mental illness for many years. My first bouts of severe depression episodes started in the early nineties. I attempted suicide on a few occasions. But with the help of my doctor, medications, and the people from the Canadian Mental Health Association, I have been able to live a normal sort of life.
Depression still comes at times, but I know there are people at CMHA Saskatoon who are here to listen and support me, to help me through those times when I struggle. They really understand what I am going through and have provided activities to help take my focus off the depression and anxiety: art, drawing, painting, activities, socializing, sewing quilts, classes. And usually they teach me new things, which I really enjoy.
My husband, Ed, and I decided to participate in the recent Run for Women to help support CMHA. We really enjoyed our 2 hour hike and walk at the beach as registered walkers in the virtual event. People stopped us along the way and gave us donations; people stopped at the house dropped off donations. We also brought in additional donations. I enjoyed it when, after driving people who needed a ride, they surprised me with a donation to add to my donation jar. We also brought in bottles and cans people offered me.
So it was a joint effort – and my dog walked most of the km too.
Why donate to CMHA? Canadian Mental Health Association in Saskatoon has really been there for me for a number of years and has always been an open ear when I really needed it. It made me feel good to give back to them in this way and help support their programming and services, which are so important to so many people just like me.