Smoky Lake embraces mental health awareness

By Brandie Majeau

On May 11, 2024, Smoky Lake Family and Community Support Services and Family

Resource Network organized a special event to observe Mental Health Awareness

Week. The focus of the event was to promote positive awareness of mental health, with

an emphasis on the theme of “creativity”. Attendees were encouraged to express

themselves creatively as a means of promoting mental well-being. The event also

provided a platform for participants to share their thoughts and suggestions for future

events, as well as exchange valuable self-care tips.

Last summer, Smoky Lake’s Community Rock Snake made its debut in the Town of

Smoky Lake. Originally located at the CN station, the rock snake, now affectionately

named ROCKY through a community vote, was relocated to Devonian Park (right

beside the post office) placing it at the heart of downtown. During the Mental Health

Awareness event, active participation was the name of the game, inviting community

members to contribute by painting their own rocks and adding them to ROCKY. With

rocks and paints provided, everyone was encouraged to join in and help ROCKY grow

as a symbol of community unity and creativity.

During the event, there was sidewalk chalk provided for all attendees to use. The

purpose was for people to write positive messages and participate in the #chalkthewalk

campaign to raise awareness about mental health. This initiative involves creating

uplifting messages on sidewalks in various communities, aiming to encourage open

discussions about mental health and to remind individuals that they are part of a

supportive community, they are never alone.

As part of the mental awareness event, we organized the creation of a communal herb

garden to promote mental well-being through gardening. The garden boasts a variety of

herbs and vegetables such as tomato plants, lettuce, basil, mint, parsley, and dill. This

initiative aims to provide a therapeutic and calming space for all community members to

enjoy throughout the summer.