The Belleville Police Service, in partnership with community leaders and the Real Lives Touched by Addiction movement, hosted a flag-raising ceremony on February 5 in recognition of Preventative Health Awareness Month and in support of the Belleville Mental Health and Addiction Awareness Event.
The ceremony, held at the Belleville Police Service, was attended by a group of community leaders, all united in a shared commitment to advancing preventative approaches to mental health and addiction recovery.
Families and individuals with lived experience stood in solidarity, underscoring the community’s collective drive to reduce stigma and foster understanding around these pressing issues.
The flag raising represents a call to empower individuals and families to take charge of their own health, while working to create long-term, community-centered solutions to mental health and addiction challenges.
Jen McCutcheon, the founder of Enable No More and the Real Lives Touched by Addiction movement, stated this event aims start the shift of the narrative from crisis response to prevention, education, and action.
“Today, we reaffirm our collective responsibility to break down the barriers around mental health and addiction, making recovery and wellness accessible for all,” she stated.
Photo: City of Belleville