Thunder Bay, ON – This May the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) would like to honour and promote Mental Health Awareness, in alignment with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week campaign. This year’s theme highlights the importance of compassion and kindness within ourselves and communities. ONWA is committed to helping Indigenous women and their families to be able to replenish, renew, and recenter ourselves in order to honor and celebrate the sacredness that comes from within.
We encourage the community to establish a holistic approach in maintaining their mental wellness. Mental health encompasses a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is important to recognize people can experience periods of positive and negative mental health throughout their lives. ONWA acknowledges how mental health continues to impact the lives of Indigenous women and their families.
“Providing the tools and resources that support better mental health for Indigenous Women, families, and communities is at the core of the work ONWA does. Providing support for sustainable change is needed to address underlying systemic practices that lead to mental health challenges. Through the inherent leadership roles of Indigenous women, collectively we can build healthier communities.” - Tina Bobinski, Senior Director of Community Development, ONWA
Throughout the week, ONWA is offering a series of virtual mental health activities. We encourage Indigenous women to share these teaching within their families and communities to continue to replenish, renew, and recenter ourselves to create a strong connection to our ancestral roots and culture. ONWA is committed to the holistic wellness of Indigenous women, families, and communities; through cultural and traditional practices Indigenous women can foster healthy emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.
Follow ONWA on social media (https://www.onwa.ca/social) or visit https://onwa.ca/post/mentalhealthweek2024 to take part in virtual mental health activities.
For more information and media inquiries, contact:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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