In July of 2017, there was a truck pull hosted by the Dufferin Ag Society for raise funds for mental health. Being busy on their own committee, they were looking for someone who was willing to come forward to choose where the funds were going to be spent.

This is how Marcy Platt became one of the four members of the freshly formed Carman Mental Health Committee.

"We've got some great connections already going at the schools in town and at the senior centre in town because obviously, mental illness knows no limitations in regards to age or gender," says Platt.

The committee works to bring awareness to mental illnesses, and hope to get people talking to each other so they can find a support system, and feel less alone in what they are going through.

Platt herself has people close to her that deal with mental illness and felt that neither of them knew where to find help. "In meeting with Southern Health representatives in December, we're hoping to literally find out what's available within our own region and province," as well as creating an easy step-by-step process so that people can prevent a crisis when possible.

As well, the committee hopes they can expand their reach outside of the Carman and R. M. of Dufferin area because they see the whole Pembina Valley as one community.

"We've offered a four-week cognitive behavioural therapy course. It takes twenty participants, it fills up immediately, and I have another twenty on a waiting list," says Platt. These courses are offered at no cost because they want resources to be accessible to any and everyone.

They have also previously sponsored wellness days for students, transportation to Winnipeg for seminars, mental health first aid courses, and Keith Macpherson, a speaker who presented on mindfulness.

Platt adds, "when we think about these things that we want to bring to our community, it's nice to know that finances aren't an issue, and we can go ahead and offer that support in our community."