Measuring Recovery event set for Oct. 4

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This article was published 07/09/2022 (1315 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. VITAL

There are times when it can take a community to help one person’s recovery.

After two years of holding its annual mental health and wellness expo virtually because of the pandemic, Sara Riel is planning to hold this year’s event in person.

The St. Vital-based organization’s 10th annual expo, which is this year titled Measuring Recovery, will be held on Tues., Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centre culturel franco-manitobain, which is located at 340 Provencher Blvd.

According to its website, Sara Riel provides community-based support to individuals who experience issues with mental illness or mental health challenges including substance use disorders and addictions. These include mental health counselling, community peer support, respite and employment services, and housing options, to name but a few.

Tara Snider, Sara Riel’s executive director, said the upcoming expo is about bringing together the community and any number of mental health agencies. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Skye Barbic.

And while she was happy with how the two previous virtual expos went, Snider is looking forward to returning to an in-person format, not least because it brings everyone together in one place.

“It’s so important because there are so many agencies offering help and avenues for people,” Snider said.

“Having everyone together can help people navigate the room, especially as we’re all emerging from the last two years. All the resource are there under one roof.”

“It’s important that we’re able to offer a myriad of services to meet the needs of the community. The expo is meant for people who are experiencing struggles, but also offers resources for their family members and loved ones.”

Another of Sara Riel’s services is the Seneca Warm Line, which was launched in March 2020. Available around the clock, the line is a 24-hour telephone service that’s been available to Manitobans who’ve struggled with issues that have affected their mental health and wellness during the recommended isolation and quarantine periods resulting from COVID-19.

“Since March 2020, the Seneca Warm Line has received more than 30,000 calls, and the calls continue to increase,” Snider said.

Prior to the Oct. 4 expo, Sara Riel is also involved with the Recovery Day Winnipeg 2022 event, which will be held on Sat., Sept 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at The Forks.

Table registrations are now being accepted for the upcoming expo.

Go online at sarariel.ca for more information.