REGINA - A support group is giving those most in need a place to talk and share their story.
The group, known as the 'Free Mental Health Support Group,' is run at the Hope Learning Centre, where anyone 18 or over can join in the weekly session.
Nicole Cole, the facilitator for the support group, talked about it’s importance.
"A lot of people come [to the group] because they're lonely, they don't have people in their lives to talk to, and when one of the members who have been coming for a long time hears this, we kind of take them in and try to make them not feel that way anymore."
Cole herself is someone who faces mental health struggles. As far back as her childhood, Cole can recall having anxiety and depression.
Inside, she felt "not like anybody else. And [I wondered] was something really wrong with me? So I was embarrassed about it. And [as] time went on, and there started being more information [available] about mental health. I started seeking out help. And one of the areas that I [wanted to] seek out help from was this group that we went to," said Cole.
Cole joined the group and attended it for over two years. She felt her mental health was getting a lot better. However, the support group eventually lost funding and required payment for those who wanted to further participate in the group.
After hearing that news, the members of the group "were upset," said Cole. She added, "they [the other members] were scared because something that had been so helpful for them was now maybe not an option for them. And [they] kind of were wondering where they were going to go." Cole herself was "fearful that I was going to lose this [a chance to have a place to share my struggles] completely."
With nowhere else to go, a new social group was started. The group held their sessions inside a Tim Hortons located in Regina. Cole noted it was "uncomfortable" for some people, and described the space as being "loud."
Eventually, the group merged with another, and they decided to hold their sessions at the downtown Regina Public Library.
Even though the space was more quiet, it was not the long-term solution the group was looking for.
Luckily for Cole, she got in contact with a social worker at the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatchewan Branch, Rebecca Rackow.
When Rackow heard about the 'Free Mental Health Support Group,' she knew "this [the support group] was something that was very in line with what the Canadian Mental Health Association [stands for]."
As a social worker, Rackow understood the importance of people to have access to help. So, she offered one of the spaces at the Hope Learning Centre for the group to use weekly.
Rackow also insisted on "having a staff member who's a qualified mental health worker." The idea is for the staff member to be able to assist with someone who is needing extra help during the support group.
The group recently moved into the centre around two to three months ago and is already seeing an increase in those participating each week.
Cole mentioned the increase in the number of people attending the group, which was 14 during their last session.
According to Cole, the hardest part of joining a social group is admitting that you do need the help.
She noted how "a few men that come to our group who have mentioned that it was hard for them to talk about their feelings because as a man you're supposed to kind of keep [in your feelings] and not share that about yourself and just be strong and not cry and all that. So their views are starting to change, and they're starting to see that it's more accepted and starting to feel more comfortable."
Rackow added to Cole’s point that the group has a lot of members on their Facebook page, but many people find it difficult to show up because they are nervous.
People trying to overcome their challenges "depends on their resiliency," said Rackow. She added, "people have different levels of resiliency at different times of their life. [So, they] are willing to accept things more or less. So I mean, in some cases, it can get to a point where you start thinking about suicide ideation and things like that harming oneself, and that becomes very difficult to get out of in that cycle of thinking."
Cole mentioned people tend to perceive the group as a space where only those with mental health or depression are welcomed. However, the group welcomes anyone who needs a place to talk despite the severity of the issue.
Rackow recalled a time when a family member came to the group to support their child, who was feeling nervous about their first session. After that family member watched the group firsthand, they came back [to the session again] and told Rackow, "I realize I might need to tell you guys [the support] group some things too."
Now, both the child and family member are walking along side each other on a path to recovery.
Cole understands that the recovery process to improve your mental health better than anyone else, as she feels “this group, both at the previous space and now, has really benefited me the most [in terms of mental health.]"
People interested in joining the group can visit their Facebook group or email [email protected].
Participants are asked to advise Cole that they are coming to the group to ensure there is enough space for everyone at the sessions.
In terms of people supporting others better in society, Rackow believes being open and telling someone, " I think you need help," is huge because that person feels supported and validated.
