Next week, it may lift your spirits to look down.
In the spirit of Mental Health Week, the Town of Collingwood is undertaking an initiative to brighten your day from underfoot.
For the first time, the Town of Collingwood will be participating in Mental Health Week with an initiative that pairs sidewalk chalk with poetry.
Parks, Recreation and Culture staffer Jennifer Parker said she wanted to find a way to encourage participation and awareness while still keeping costs down.
The idea is called Chalk ‘n Talk. On May 7, Collingwood staff will write a poem on the sidewalk at Town Hall, and encourage others to add their own words to the sidewalk to encourage kindness and positivity. There will be chalk available there, and the town is working with local schools and community organizations to do more Chalk ‘n Talk installations on sidewalks.
Parker collaborated with Collingwood’s poet laureate Day Merrill to choose a poem.
Merrill chose a poem called As You Are by Nayyira Waheed.
“The focus on mental health is so much on the power of words,” said Merrill. “The power to hurt, to heal, to enlighten. That’s my focus too. How can we use words to create a response in people.”
The poem, said Merrill, presents the idea of being okay where you are.
“People think they have to beat themselves up to change, but that doesn’t work,” said Merrill. “It’s better to be led by aspiration and hope.”
Mental Health Week is May 6 to 12 and is supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
“Collingwood’s Chalk ’n Talk invites the community to be actively involved in Mental Health Week and to share words or images of what mental health looks like for them” said Parker.
Chalk’n Talk will be happening at Town recreation facilities, Collingwood library, community organizations and schools across Collingwood. To get involved in the community Chalk ’n Talk, visit the sidewalk in front of Town Hall on Tuesday, May 7 starting at 10:00 a.m.
