Ending isolation is the key theme this year of Mental Health Week, which runs May 4-10. The Sudbury/Manitoulin chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association is encouraging residents to take part in a week of intentional connection. From grabbing a coffee with a friend to taking a walk with a family member, officials are encouraging everyone to connect in person rather than virtually. Patty MacDonald, CEO of the local CMHA chapter, said there’s a loneliness epidemic in Canada, especially among youth. “One in five youth are being affected by loneliness,” MacDonald said. Many young people connect with others through social media, which eases social isolation. “Virtual is good, but it’s not enough,” MacDonald said. “And so we’re really promoting connection. We’re promoting reaching out to a friend, a family member, community, our colleagues -- invite them for coffee, invite them for a walk, do something fun even if you’re in the checkout line at the grocery store and connect with somebody there.” She said in-person connections are important for “emotional, your physical, your mental health.” “What we find is that people start feeling a little more safe. They feel seen, they feel heard, they feel valued, and they feel understood.” According to 2025 Stats Canada data, nearly one in four people who connect only online are frequently lonely, compared to 15 per cent of those who connect both in person and virtually. Five million lonely people About five million people in Canada report feeling lonely often or always and officials say loneliness is linked to anxiety, depression, substance use and disengagement. Chris Coulombe, a mental health educator, said making yourself available is vital. “Let people know that they don’t need to be alone,” Coulombe said. “When I look at some of the workshops that we’re hosting, we also have a very important topic that we need to talk about, and that’s suicide … We want to bring that open and direct conversation about the importance of letting people know, that it’s OK to not be OK.” For those that aren’t sure how to get started, CMHA is inviting community members to take part in a mental health walk Wednesday at Bell Park at 6:30 p.m., offering a chance to step away from screens, connect in person and meet others in a low-pressure, welcoming environment.
