Mental health a priority continued from page 7 thank you frontline heroes...


am fighting with them about is give it a paint job, because it is a yucky brown colour like the rest of the hospital, but it’s needed for patients that need a pick me up and patients need something to be happy about. I’d really like to improve the colour in the space and improve their beds. They have the really old style of hospital beds and it’s time for them to have proper upgraded equipment. One of our biggest investment actually is to replace those beds in 5 North to make sure that those patients are also getting a comfortable night’s stay. The patient rooms make them more comfortable and more of a safe environment for everybody. Our paediatric department was built in the 1980s for paediatric patients but not for mental health patients in mind. Here we are in 2021 and it is time to make a safe space for our mental health youth patients. We want to make a dedicated safe space, not only for our patients but the peace and mind of mom and dad and their caregivers, that is going to be one of the biggest price tags believe it or not.”


Bach notes currently they haven’t pushed forth the campaign too vigorously and have just contacted long time larger donors. She says bit of the campaign is raising awareness besides raising money.


“We want to start the conversation because it is a community issue,” she adds. “Probably after Mothers’ Day and we will start to see some campaigns come out and the first piece we will start with is “I’m Fine” where we are partnering with some coffee shops and breweries and those are places people are having conversations. Everyone is going for a coffee and so we’re hope to start that conversation ‘I’m fine’. When someone asks you how you are,


Thank you to all the


Frontline Hereos as we all ban together


to meet the needs of our Community


THE SALVATION ARMY COMMUNITY CHURCH &


DOWNTOWN MINISTRIES #457 3RD ST., SE


MEDICINE HAT, AB T1A 0G8 403-527-2427


8 - THANK YOU FRONTLINE HEROES 915A South Railway St. S.E. Medicine Hat • 403-527-2440 you usually say ‘I’m fine’ but are you really?”


Before they got started with the campaign Bach and the staff conducted a mini feasibility study and instead of getting someone else to do it they did it themselves.


The response was position and respondents were encouraging the Foundation to go forth with this particular mental health campaign. They thought it was a good idea. They got nothing but positive feedback. In talking with local businesses launching an online silent auction for the campaign.


“So we went to a few businesses asking for some auction items, and considering the economy I wasn’t expecting the positive response I got,” explains Bach. “Everybody wanted to help in some small way and it doesn’t matter the size or the volume, that’s not what it is about. It is about starting the conversation, getting behind it and everyone being part of it. I am glad to see Medicine Hat is not backing down from this, they are talking about it and making it more comfortable and making it more commonplace.”


It is a busy time for the Foundation which quietly celebrated its 25th anniversary April 27. Over that time, they have raised $17 million to help with different projects for the Medicine Hat hospital and related projects.


Their last initiative included raising money for the all important special medical bassinets for the hospital. Now the Giving Hope for Mental Health will be their main focus, but not the only focus.


Bach says it will take a lot of their time but is not their only project. More will be announced soon.


We would like to take this time to our community's Thank


Frontline Workers for your countless hours of dedication as we continue to navigate though this difficult time.


COVID HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9a.m.-5p.m. www.bertsvacs.com


41408017 • 05/15/2021


#41406782/05/15/2021


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12