Methanex promotes community mental health supports

Methanex has made a second substantial donation this year to the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation.

The company presented a $10,000 cheque Thursday toward the Giving Hope for Mental Health campaign.

“It’s fabulous to see businesses step up to support mental health this year in Medicine Hat. Methanex has been a fabulous supporter of health care in southeast Alberta,” says Valerie Verge, major gift coordinator for the health foundation.

In February, the company gave $5,000 for 500 healthcare workers to get a $10 gift card for a local coffee shop.

Verge says the Giving Hope for Mental Health campaign supports the 5 North wing, the acute care floor, pediatric mental health, the addiction and recovery centre, and outreach. She says the campaign is based on the outcry in Medicine Hat this year to support mental health.

“The residents of Medicine Hat did fairly well with COVID numbers but the economic struggles and the struggle with the lack of the ability to visit friends and have those supports in the community has really impacted a lot of peoples mental health in small ways and in big ways,” Verge says.

“We kind of followed the community’s lead on that and of course the managers have a laundry list of things that they need to make things better for patient comfort and patient safety and that’s our primary focus.”
Danielle Semrau-McLean, stakeholder relations adviser at Methanex, says the pandemic has put a spotlight on the importance of mental health resources in our community.

“When we first saw the Giving Hope for Mental Health campaign it really resonated with us, particularly because of its focus on enhancing existing resources and creating safer spaces for individuals who are accessing support in our community,” she says. “Methanex feels that everyone should have a safe place to go and seek help and support.”

I’m Fine awareness campaign

Verge says an awareness campaign is also taking place in local coffee shops and restaurants. Messages are being placed on coffee cups and takeout containers.

She says it’s based on the idea that people often say “I’m fine” when asked how they are.

“A lot of times people will say they’re fine but if you really listen and dig deeper they’re not fine,” she says and encourages people to have a deeper conversation.

More information is available at ourhealthfoundation.ca/givehope4mh/