I am sharing with you today an exciting experience – about a course I took with the CMHA- and this is due to my keen interest in linking the importance of mental health and the practice of arts – and this is indeed what I find to be a scientific fact that is confirmed every day.

The relationship of the soul – with the body – with the mind is a close relationship, and creating a balance between our mental, spiritual and physical powers is what keeps our health in general in a good condition, and this is what we all hope for.

It is my habit to search for hope – for light in everything around me – but by studying this course, we had to see the problems that lead to the difficulty of finding this hope.

And one of the problems that shocked me is :stig·ma

What is stigma ?

Britannica Dictionary definition of STIGMA. 1. [singular] :a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something. the stigma associated with mental illness = the stigma of mental illness. the stigma of being poor = the stigma of poverty.

Find more in the Canadian Mental Health Association ( CMHA ) https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/stigma-and-discrimination/

It is shocking about how society responds to mental illness – how to deal with male children if they love art more passionately than playing football, for example – all this societal pressure that becomes a heavy burden on individuals – and how do we change this idea?

I see that the arts in general and media channels have a great role – but so do the decision-makers and leaders around us – and here I must pay tribute to the role of Senator Bernadette Clement – and the role of Justin Towndale, our current Mayor for encouraging people to the art community and the arts – I see no alternative but to continue publishing Joy – mental health – love – continuing to use the love of life.

And here I would love to mention our visit to: North American Traveling College which took place on April 8th with the support of Grand Chief Abram Benedict , YAC and the Cornwall Art Hive.

Why cultural exchange – self-expression – why build bridges of knowledge? Not because they are recreational activities – and it is not wrong to entertain ourselves – but because art is a medicine and arts are a means to heal the soul – as I learned – there is no health without mental health – practice love and the arts – you will become healthier!

Yafa Goawily, Art Specialist

Art Advisor – Community Development through Art

Yafa Arts and Crafts www.yaffa.ca

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