Next week "Coffee's On Us". That's from Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority Mental Health Team Manager Laura Tanguay, as part of next week's Mental Health Awareness Week. 

"I am a part of the Interlake Eastern Suicide Prevention Committee, and we have started doing Coffee On Us, which is our second year doing this. We go out and partner with local businesses as well as community centres."

Tanguay explains it's an opportunity to meet with service workers.

"It offers an informal venue for residents of the community to come and chat with different individuals involved in the mental health field, whether that's community mental health workers, people from our self help groups, people from our wellness team. Just to have informal conversations about mental health and mental well-being."

She points to the highlights of the program.

"The greatest thing about the 'Coffee On Us' is that it's informal, but it also allows us to have these conversations before they're in a time of crisis. All individuals have struggles with mental health throughout their lifetimes, and It's important to know about what strategies you can use to help you cope through those difficult times as well as to know what supports might be available for you in your community."

She says they've doubled the number of centres they've organized this year compared to last year. Tanguay says they're in 16 locations, including one in the Gypsumville Community Club on May 4th, between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., and another at the French Immersion School in St. Laurent on May 4th, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. To get involved, you can stop by the local business or community club during those hours, or go to one of the locations and pick up a free Coffee On Us card.