Dear Editor,
Living in B.C. one can definitely witness a mental health crises especially now during covid.
The pandemic has impacted people’s mental health and the situation itself has affected everyone in one form or another.
Most of my co-workers, as well as friends, have suffered unemployment, lack of affordable housing, isolation and this has impacted mental health which is not talked about frequently.
I have volunteered for different organizations, food banks and community outreach and I personally have heard people suffering depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and came to the conclusion that a large portion of the population is having moderate to severe mental health issues.
However, a lot of it is hidden, as people don’t wish to talk about mental health openly.
I had severe anxiety and depression due to the pandemic, as well as the uncertain future.
A constructive solution I have discussed with family, co-workers is spending time outdoors.
Local parks and spending time in a park walking in the forest is therapeutic and calms down anxious feelings and thoughts.
I personally feel companies and schools should have activities outdoors at local parks to improve people’s mental wellbeing, as well as discussing mental health more openly, as I feel schools and companies are lacking in mental health resources.
Brian Jones
RICHMOND
