Ending the Stigma: Red Leaf Wellness and Community Partners Come Together to Offer Mental Health Support and Giveaway

In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, people often prioritize their physical health over their mental health, which can have detrimental consequences. Neglecting mental health can lead to a variety of issues, and these problems not only affect individuals’ personal lives but can also have a negative impact on their professional lives and relationships.

In recognition of this fact, Red Leaf Wellness is taking steps to promote mental health and wellness among their patients.

To further this cause, we are partnering with community members to host a giveaway during Mental Health Week that provides access to products and services aimed at supporting our patients’ mental health and self-care. The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and encourage individuals to prioritize their well-being.

Keep reading to learn more about this initiative and how it aims to support those struggling with mental health challenges while working to end the stigma associated with mental illness.

Mental Health by the Numbers: Key Statistics and Trends

Mental health problems are more common than we think, and they affect people from all walks of life. Here are some stats that highlight the prevalence of mental illness:

• According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 20% of Canadians experience a mental illness in any given year.
• In a report from the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the number of Canadians reporting symptoms consistent with a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder, has increased significantly over the past decade.
• COVID-19 had a significant impact on mental health, with many Canadians experiencing increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress as a result of the pandemic and its impacts on daily life.

Now more than ever, we need to take care of our mental health to lead a fulfilling life.

The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself and Your Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is important because it affects every aspect of your life, including your relationships, work, and overall well-being.

When you prioritize your mental health, you are more likely to have improved physical health, better cognitive function, and greater emotional resilience.

Neglecting your mental health can lead to negative consequences such as stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout.

It can also impact your ability to perform at work and negatively affect your personal relationships.

Additionally, untreated mental health issues can result in substance abuse, self-harm, and even suicide.

Taking care of your mental health needs to be a top priority.

This can include practicing self-care, seeking professional help when needed, prioritizing healthy relationships, setting boundaries, and engaging in activities that promote positive mental health.

By prioritizing your mental health, you are not only taking care of yourself but also ensuring that you are able to lead a fulfilling and happy life.

Treatments That Can Support Mental Health

There are several treatments available that can support mental health, including therapy, medication, and mind-body therapies.

However, some supplements and mindfulness techniques can also provide relief.

Supplements

Certain supplements, such as B-complex, Magnesium Bis-glycinate, Ashwagandha, SeroSyn, NuSera, Vitamin D, Omega 3 EPA-DHA 1000, Blisphora, Stress Defence and Greens Matrix, can promote relaxation and reduce stress.

They contain a blend of minerals, vitamins, herbs, and antioxidants that help regulate mood, calm the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and improve brain function.

When adding a supplement to your routine, remember to always speak with a healthcare professional. It’s important to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your needs, does not conflict with any medication you may be taking, and that the dosage is correct and in line with your goals.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps regulate the body’s natural flow of energy by inserting thin and painless needs into specific points on the body.

This can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety by regulating the nervous system and promoting relaxation.

Mindful Techniques

Mindful techniques like meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, Qigong, and journaling can reduce stress and improve mental health.

By incorporating these techniques into your everyday routine, you can improve your mental well-being and reduce stress levels.

Red Leaf Wellness Partners with Community Members to Support Mental Health

Red Leaf Wellness is committed to supporting our patients’ mental health and self-care. By partnering with amazing people in the community we can offer a wider net of support, bridging any gaps through the addition of other high-quality products and services.

Through the help of these partnerships, Red Leaf Wellness is proud to be hosting a giveaway for Mental Health Week. This giveaway includes a generous collection of donated products and services by the Grief and Trauma Healing Centre, The Maker’s Keep, Gary Benoit, and Lynne Harley.

These partners are dedicated to supporting various aspects of mental health and offer some amazing resources worth checking out.

Mental Health & Children

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, and sadly, 25% of all youth deaths in North America are cause by suicide.

It’s crucial to recognize the signs and seek help if necessary.

Our wonderful partner Lynne Harley wrote a children’s book called What If You Could? that provides a powerful message about mental health. It brings awareness to the ‘internal self-talk’ that we all hear, speaks to the power of listening deeply to our inner wisdom, and ends with an inspirational transformation.

This book is a valuable resource with a foundational message that can help plant the seeds of mental health within all children. One that is really, universal to all ages.

It’s essential to remember that mental health problems in children are treatable, and early intervention is crucial.

Seeking help from a mental health professional can make a significant difference in a child’s life and can help prevent future mental health problems.

Parents and caregivers should also prioritize self-care and seek support for themselves to better support their children’s mental health as well.

PTSD & Occupational Stress

PTSD and occupational stress can affect first responders, military personnel, and healthcare workers, among others.

These individuals are frequently exposed to traumatic events and high levels of stress, which can take a toll on their mental health.

Gary Benoit, co-founder of Benoit Wellness Consulting, is another amazing partner. After 20+ years of service, he wrote a book called A Call for Service: Overcoming Adversity Through Resilience that provides insight into the challenges of being a first responder and offers strategies for coping with the stress and trauma associated with the job.

Declining mental health is fast becoming one of the most debilitating concerns for society, and building and maintaining resilience is necessary for every human on the planet. “A Call for Service: Overcoming Adversity through Resilience” was written to provide actionable steps for developing and maintaining resilience not only for members of the front line but for every reader. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire readers to draw similarities to their own situation and decide on something better, which is the first step on the path to healing. – Gary Benoit

EMS Peer Wellness is another valuable resource for first responders struggling with PTSD and occupational stress.

The website provides resources and support for individuals experiencing mental health problems and promotes peer support and education.

Here at Red Leaf Wellness, we are no strangers to the importance of supporting the mental health of first responders.

Tammy, our CEO, is a former paramedic, so she understands firsthand the challenges of working in emergency services. Though Red Leaf Wellness, she offers a safe space for first responders to discuss their mental health struggles and any other ailments.

Tammy strongly believes in giving back and extending a helping hand when needed, so as a further step in giving back, all emergency service workers and armed forces are extended a 10% discount on all services at Red Leaf Wellness.

Grief & Trauma

Grief and trauma are emotional and psychological experiences that can be challenging to navigate, but there are resources available to help.

Grief is the mind’s natural response to loss, and manifests in many ways, such as sadness, anger, guilt, and confusion. It can even manifest physically if untended for long enough.

Trauma, on the other hand, is a distressing event or experience that affects a person’s ability to cope and function and can result in lasting psychological and emotional effects.

The Grief & Trauma Healing Centre is another amazing partner and is one such resource that offers support groups and counseling services for those experiencing grief and trauma.

They have two locations in Edmonton that provide in-person and online counseling services to individuals in need. Additionally, they also have a blog and resource section on their website that provides information and guidance on coping with grief and trauma. The blog covers topics such as the grieving process, coping with loss, and managing stress and anxiety.

Join Us in Supporting Mental Health: Enter Our Giveaway, Share Our Posts, and Help Break the Stigma!

As Mental Health Awareness Week begins, it’s important to consider how we can support those in need.

Red Leaf Wellness is proud to partner with community members to offer an Instagram giveaway that will help spread awareness around mental health and promote its normalcy.

The pandemic has made it clear that mental health struggles are more prevalent than ever, and many patients are seeking care for these issues.

By offering an initial acupuncture consult and treatment, along with other items geared toward self-care and healing emotionally, we hope to make it easier for people to seek the help they need and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

Together, let’s support mental health and help those who are struggling to know that they are not alone.