'It's okay to talk about': Chantal Kreviazuk on ending the stigma around mental health
Winnipeg-born singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk is speaking out about the importance of ending the stigma around talking about mental health.
“The reality is all of us, every one of us, even on a good day, we have to work at our mental well-being,” she said.
“I’ve always believed we’re only as strong as the person who’s having the most challenging time in our immediate family, in our community. So, I think it's okay to talk about our mental health.”
Kreviazuk is leading by example as she’s set to be the keynote speaker at the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba’s Women’s Speaker Series on Sept. 29 – an event that supports women’s mental health.
“It’s hard to be a person today on any level because the demands are pretty overwhelming at times,” she said.
“In particular for women, we are the mothers in our world, and a lot is required of us, demanded of us, and sometimes it can be really challenging.”
Kreviazuk said one thing that has helped with her mental well-being is her creativity.
“We have to be creative. We have to remember our joy and how can we do that. How can we make a joke? How can we make someone else laugh and see our reflection in that person’s smile or in their happy, joyful eyes? We have to think of ways of resetting,” she said.
She noted that ‘resetting’ is easier for some than others, but it’s okay to reach out for help if you need help figuring it out.
“Some of us require, literally, a script sometimes, or we need to learn a skill for how to [do it] – the same way that you might want to learn how to put together a new barbecue or fix your sink or your garburator, and you might Google it and find out how,” Kreviazuk said.
“Well, it’s the same with any other aspect of our lives. There’s nothing wrong with trying to figure out.”
Kreviazuk added that there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for help, but that people don’t always know who to reach out to.
This is where the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba comes in, as it is dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy for those living with mood disorders, co-occurring disorders, or mental illnesses.
“The amount of service that has gone into the community from this organization is humbling to consider,” Kreviazuk said.
“So I’m so proud to support Mood Disorders [Association] of Manitoba and the programs that they have in place for women.”
Tickets to the Women’s Speaker Series fundraiser are $25 and can be purchased online.
- With files from CTV’s Michael Hutchinson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.