YORKTON, Sask. — Mental health challenges that intensified during and after the COVID-19 pandemic continue to drive demand for support, resources and education, according to organizers of a sold-out conference in Yorkton this week.
More than 200 people attended the Wellness for Life Mental Health Conference hosted by SaskAbilities on Oct. 7 at the Gallagher Centre's National Bank Convention Place.
Regional director Aleks Hoeber said the annual event was launched after SaskAbilities noticed a growing number of people struggling with their mental health.
"We decided to host it shortly after COVID when we noted there was such an increase in individuals struggling with their mental health," Hoeber said. "People spoke about increased anxieties, significant depression, loneliness and low motivation levels."
Those concerns were being heard from staff, community members and the people SaskAbilities supports, she said.
"We thought it was really important to be able to bring individuals to our community to speak on the topic of mental health. If we do it once a year, it'll be a good reminder for all of us to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others."
The conference featured presentations by Dina Bell-Laroche, Laura Lawrence, Dr. Majid Fotuhi and Tim Tamashiro, covering topics ranging from grief and adaptability to happiness and brain health.
One of the keynote presentations came from Fotuhi, a neurologist and author of The Invincible Brain, who shared evidence-based strategies for maintaining cognitive health and supporting mental well-being as people age.
"The idea is that your brain has a lot of malleability," Fotuhi said in an interview before the conference. "It's a very live organ with the capacity to change, for better or for worse."
He said lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, inactivity and obesity can negatively affect brain health, while healthier habits can strengthen cognitive function over time.
"The good news is that in many ways the brain can grow back," he said.
Fotuhi said many people associate cognitive decline solely with Alzheimer's disease, but research shows treatable factors often contribute to memory and thinking problems.
"If I treat those components, they will get better," he said, citing issues such as cardiovascular health, sleep apnea and physical inactivity.
His work focuses on what he calls the five pillars of brain health: exercise, quality sleep, a Mediterranean-style diet, stress reduction and meditation, and brain training.
Walking alone can make a meaningful difference, he said.
"If you walk 30 minutes to 50 minutes a day, you reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease by at least 30 per cent."
Fotuhi also emphasized the importance of keeping the brain engaged through activities that challenge memory, processing speed and problem-solving skills.
Brain-training apps, learning new skills, taking classes and pursuing hobbies can all help maintain cognitive function, he said.
Social interaction also plays an important role.
"When you're having conversations, you need to think of something to say, understand what people are talking about and express your own opinions," Fotuhi said. "You both reduce your stress hormones and challenge your brain at the same time."
Although age-related changes occur naturally, Fotuhi said people can benefit from healthy habits regardless of when they begin.
"Whenever you start, your brain does have malleability and your cognitive function will improve," he said.
For those interested in learning more, Fotuhi said additional information is available through his website and his book, The Invincible Brain. He has also developed a free app, available on Apple and Android devices, that includes brain health assessments, questionnaires and tools designed to help users improve cognitive wellness through lifestyle changes and mental exercises.
"I realized this program is not available to everyone and I wanted to help people," he said.
Hoeber said attendance at the conference has steadily increased since it began, growing from about 120 participants in its early years to 200 this year.
"We've grown every year," she said. "There continues to be evidence that the conversation is important and that we should continue to host it."
She said one of the conference's primary goals is to leave attendees with a sense of hope.
"For people who may be struggling with their own mental health, they have the opportunity to have a sense of hope that there are resources and tools and strategies that can help along the way," Hoeber said.
SaskAbilities plans to continue hosting the conference annually.
