Natalie Olsen is hoping to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness through “Hope Resurgence.”
It is estimated that one in five Canadians will suffer some form of mental illness in their life. Hope Resurgence seeks to help people who are suffering mental illness by giving them that opportunity to talk, in a time when they could need it.
Olsen says that it is a positive that people are more comfortable talking about their mental health, but society still has work to do.
“It’s funny to me considering that we don’t really talk about it that much, considering the fact that really everybody has varying levels of mental health or mental illness at different stages in life. At any given time 20% of Canadians are suffering through mental illness.”
Olsen says that Hope Resurgence wants to provide an environment where anyone is free to attend and can be anonymous if they choose, and can provide a circle of caring people to someone in need.
“This time of year is hard on even the most mentally healthy of us. Actually, the suicide rate tends to go up as the weather gets warmer, which most people don’t know. In talking about it, we just wanted to dive in and share some stories of hope, so that folks have something to grab on to.”
Hope Resurgence is happening at the Word Church in Lloydminster March 3rd, from 1 to 3 P.M.