The Local Canadian Mental Health Association has kicked off Mental Health Week. A charity barbecue was held outside the CMHA Central Region offices yesterday afternoon, serving up hot dogs and hamburgers while also providing information and tours of their facility. Yesterday's barbecue was supported by those who visit the Clubhouse, as they volunteered for the barbecue. One of those volunteers was Sean Wasylenko, who says the clubhouse provides a peer-supported environment for those facing challenges. Overall he says it's an asset to the community.

"It's really important. A lot of people would be pushed through the cracks. A lot of people just don't care about people with a little bit of issues because it's a waste of time to them. They'd rather just keep going about their business, and just put those people somewhere where they can slip through the cracks."

While he says the services and classes provided through the organization are an asset, Wasylenko says it's also about the social environment that really helps foster a sense of community.

"There are a lot of activities to get social with other people. If you're scared to be talking to people, that's a good place. It's sort of a mental issue to, being anti-social. It helps you get out of that frame of mind."

Meanwhile Bev Hobson's another Portager involved with the Clubhouse, and shares the feeling that the clubhouse is a vital part of the services provided. She notes the new cooking class is definitely a useful program, noting without such initiatives she doesn't know where she'd be.

"I think the cooking on a budget thing helps a lot in here. When you're on a low-income, it really helps to manage your money."

CMHA Executive Director Jordan Friesen says they decided to use the event to showcase the Clubhouse, as it's an important aspect of their work.

"What it's there for is to provide a safe, social environment for individuals with mental health issues to be supported by their peers, people also experiencing mental health issues. It's open everyday, we focus on recreation and leisure. We also have some classes, we have a cooking class we had started recently, to help individuals that need to develop some life skills. More than that, it's just about a safe space and it's owned by the people that use the space."

Members of CMHA Central Region will be at the PCU Centre walking track with information on Wednesday, and will wrap up the week with the 10th annual Office Olympics.