IMental health, also known as emotional health, “refers to your overall psychological well-being. It includes the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties” (Helpguide.org).
Just like physical health, it takes effort to keep it strong. You will need to balance stress and emotions to keep functioning in the best possible way. There is no shame in exploring options for staying healthy and mentally fit. Just as people choose different diets, you can adapt a mental health regimen that best fits you.
Newcomer mental health
Newcomers to a new country can experience many stressful situations. You may be experiencing difficulties adapting to a new culture or struggling to establish a career. You can even experience these simultaneously. This can make you prone to anxiety or depression which can greatly affect your emotional and physical health. Another thing is the weather in Manitoba. If you are not accustomed to a colder climate, it can cause changes in moods. In fact, even the loss of familiar things around you could affect your general outlook in life. This episode of The Agenda with Steve Paikin talks about such changes and the emotional trauma immigrants face in their transition into a new country:
How to stay mentally healthy
It's a good thing that mental health care is accessible and easily available to everyone in Manitoba. The province has a host of services and supports available. These include counseling and intervention, as well as social and recreational programs. You can find many mental health resources on the Canadian Mental Health Association site. You can click on the Newcomers and Refugees section for a list of organizations and resources you can access for health, employment, legal aid, and safe places.
If you find yourself feeling down, counseling services are available in many immigrant-serving organizations. You can also talk to professional counsellors by dialing Crisis Services lines if you need urgent support.
