ANIL JHALLI anil.jhalli@eap.on.ca LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER TURNS FOCUS TO MENTAL HEALTH $0--&$5*7*5 r$0..6/*5: anxiety,” which sometimes makes them unable to be alone.
“There aren’t enough resources for young kids,” she said. “At the age of four, my daughter was saying things that really scared me—I just couldn’t believe it.” MacIntosh emphasized that mental health struggles are not limited to women and children, highlighting that men also face chal- lenges, including postpartum depression. Suicide remains one of the top 10 causes of death in Canada, posing a serious public health issue with lasting effects on indivi- duals, families, and communities. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, one of the most common risk factors for suicide is a diagnosis of a mental health problem or illness. The commission offers several evidence- based resources on suicide prevention, which can be found on its website at men- talhealthcommission.ca. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 15 to 34 in Canada. The suicide rate among males has consistently been at least double that of females over the past two decades. In 2021, there were approximately 15 sui- cide deaths per 100,000 males in Canada, compared to five per 100,000 females. “I think our leaders at every level need to start doing more, because mental health issues, especially among children, have really been increasing over the past few years,” MacIntosh said. “We need to find a way to offer more free services when it comes to mental health.”
A local business owner is determined to raise awareness about the stigma surrounding mental health in her community. Vesta MacIntosh, a mother of four and owner of a photography business in Rockland, hosted a mental health awareness event on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the River Rock Inn on Chamberland Street. MacIntosh launched the event following a family tragedy four years ago, when her father died by suicide. “No one in my family knew how much he was struggling,” MacIntosh said. “Creating this event has been my way of grieving, as his death really impacted my mental health.” This year marks the fourth time the local photographer has organized a mental health-focused event, which raised funds and donations for the Rockland Youth Hub. The event featured a day full of activities for the roughly 50 families who attended. Children had the chance to have their picture taken with Santa Claus, jump on bouncy castles, and enjoy live entertainment. “It was a safe space for people to come, talk, and share with others as long as they were comfortable,” said MacIntosh. “This was a good way to open the doors and create more awareness about mental health, and I’m happy to host events like this.” MacIntosh noted that three of her four children struggle with mental health issues, including what she describes as “crippling
Vesta MacIntosh (sitting on the left, second row from the front) organized a fourth annual Mental Health Awareness event, ‘One Picture at a Time’, on Nov. 30 at the River Rock Inn. Here, she is pictured with the dedicated group of volunteers who helped make the event possible (Vesta Photography)
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