With studies showing that mental health challenges increase among the Canadian population during the holiday season, Peer Connections Manitoba is aiming to address that with a new fundraising initiative.
The Mental Health Doesn’t Take a Holiday campaign sees the organization partnering with Red River Mutual Insurance to ensure that resources are in place for the heightened demand for their support services over the next few weeks.
“For people with family, there’s a lot of pressure to perform,” Adam Milne, Peer Connections Manitoba’s Director of Peer Services highlights. “People go on visits, there’s present-buying, there’s a lot of that thing which can be anxiety-inducing for a lot of people. And for the people that don’t necessarily have that family or those other connections they want to make, it can really amplify the isolation and the loneliness of a time period when the assumption is everyone else has somebody.”
To help address feelings of isolation and loneliness, Red River Mutual Insurance has put up a $5,000 match to anyone who donates to the campaign. Monique Levesque-Pharoah, Peer Connections Manitoba’s Director of Development, notes that the corporation has been a keen supporter in other ways as well. “What’s really fantastic is they are also inviting all their staff to take part, and they’re inviting other brokers to come to the table with another match,” she says.
Milne explains that having this uptick in support will allow Peer Connections Manitoba to provide comprehensive and prompt service over the next few weeks to those who need them. “The challenge with a lot of mental health services throughout the year, but especially at this time, is how long you have to wait to get them,” he says. “What it allows us to do is have more staff available, but also to do things like create programs like we do on Saturdays now where there’s a quick access program. It also allows us to keep these services free so that whoever needs them can use them regardless of their circumstances.”
Donations to Peer Connections Manitoba’s Mental Health Doesn’t Take a Holiday campaign can be made at the organization’s website, via e-transfer to their general email address, or by calling into their offices at (204) 786-1616. This phone number is also the way to get quick access to mental health supports during the holiday season.