Jacob Fox speaks about mental health at Smoky Lake Chamber AGM

By Irene van der Kloet

Since the pandemic, concerns about mental health have grown worldwide. With that in mind, the Smoky Lake Chamber of Commerce invited Jacob Fox, a professional counsellor from Innisfail, to speak about mental health at their recent AGM in the Smoky Lake Complex on January 23. Jacob started his presentation with a handout about the Life Change Index scale. “As I am talking, you can take a look at these. This Life Change Index scale was created in 1967 by Holmes and Rahe. It’s a bit outdated, but the value of magnitude and impact these life changes may have on your potential to be stricken with an illness is still valid today. When stress takes hold, the amygdala will kick in, and there will be a fight, flight, freeze, and fawn response. It happens automatically; your body is trying to keep you safe and alive.” Jacob then explains the different types of stress and what they do to our bodies. Responding to a comment from the public about the use of electronic devices by elderly people, Jacob says: “They are publicized as ‘the only way to connect.’ The result is that – if we cannot work these devices properly – a response from our brain kicks in that is similar to rejection by a lover or a friend, causing stress. That is why self-care is so important.” With the focus on self-care, Jacob goes into dealing with grief and loss. He visualizes for the public how grief and loss can impact our system and how it is not helpful if we don’t deal with it and try to eliminate the adverse effects. Over time, we need to embrace them as a part of us which will result in a ‘new me.’ If we use resources that are meaningful to us, we help ourselves. Then we become resilient. A support system and social connections are also key in self-care and improving mental health. “Mental illness is only as potent as its ability to disconnect the sufferer from other people,” Jacob illustrates. “If you can look beyond today at the future, you will take time to get there and learn and build different strengths.” Following the presentation, attendants share experiences with stress. In this respect, especially the experiences that Ukrainian refugees in the community have dealt with are highlighted as stressful. Besides this presentation, the regular AGM agenda items were discussed, including the election of officers. All officers were reelected, which means another year for chairman Noel Simpson and his crew. The calendar for 2023 shows six community events that the Chamber looks forward to organizing. For those wanting to reach out for more information on mental health, Jacob Fox can be reached at 403-865-5001 or through the website www.standingstones.ca