A large gathering was on hand at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre, to kick off mental health awareness week Monday.<\/p>\n
Published May 04, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
![\"Mental](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0507-cd-mentalhealth-e1777926522367.jpg\")
Mental health awareness week kicked off Monday at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre. From left are Coun. Amy Finn, Mayor Darrin Canniff, Allie Matthews, Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent operations manager, Katherine Larson, program assistant, and Coun. Alysson Storey. (Trevor Terfloth\/The Daily News)Article content<\/p>\n
A large gathering was on hand at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre, to kick off mental health awareness week Monday.<\/p>\n
Advertisement 2<\/p>\n
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
Advocates hope increased awareness will continue in the community throughout the year.<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
Recommended Videos<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
Approximately 75 people were in attendance for Monday\u2019s flag-raising, including representatives from the Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent, first responders, community service workers, the mayor and several councillors.<\/p>\n
Allie Matthews, the network\u2019s operations manager, said the overall impact of mental health isn\u2019t experienced in isolation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt connects all of us. Our families, our workplaces, our communities,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd it reminds us that support, understanding and compassion are stronger when they are shared.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthews believes a little kindness and understanding can make a real difference in someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
She said this helps someone feel valued and less alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also believe that a diagnosis is just the beginning, not the end,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Despite positive changes during the years, there are still barriers and stigmas to overcome for those facing mental health challenges.<\/p>\n
Advertisement 3<\/p>\n
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
However, Matthews said the flag-raising is more than symbolic, as it also signifies hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt represents our shared commitment to creating a community where caring for your mental health is recognized as an essential part of well-being,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also a reminder to honour those who have lost their battle to mental illness, and those who work hard every day to be well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katherine Larson, a program assistant for the network, told her story of mental health recovery, starting from when she was a young student.<\/p>\n
Involved in music, theatre and sports, while making new friends, she still found herself the target of bullies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt changed the way I thought about myself, shook my self-esteem, and made me question my worth,\u201d she said. \u201cI became paranoid that people were talking about me, laughing at me, or out to get me.\u201d<\/p>\n
That time also marked the start of an eating disorder, as well as partying and drinking, often finding herself in unsafe situations.<\/p>\n
While she was in post-secondary school, she became a single mother. Through strength and determination she graduated, but also suffered abuse later on.<\/p>\n
Advertisement 4<\/p>\n
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n
Article content<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking on my mental health became a full-time job on its own. One that required courage, honesty and a willingness to rebuild my life piece by piece,\u201d Larson said.<\/p>\n
She discussed hearing about Hope House, which the network operates, calling it the \u201chidden gem\u201d she didn\u2019t know she needed.<\/p>\n
Through various programs, the women\u2019s group and peer support, she began to grow again.<\/p>\n
Larson eventually was asked to help lead the group and was later hired on staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach day, I am grateful for the person who first told me about Hope House, and for the gift this place has been in my life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For more information, visit the Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent on social media.<\/p>\n