The City of Portage la Prairie wants its residents to be in tune with their mental health and well-being.

That's why City Hall is throwing its support behind Mental Health Week. The theme for 2021 is understanding our emotions.

Every year since 1951, the Canadain Mental Health Association has hosted Mental Health Week in the first week in May. Mayor Irvine Ferris says he's happy to jump on board.

"We believe we have a responsibility in the city to promote mental wellness, especially in a year like this where we see social distancing, more isolation, and those sorts of challenges for all of our citizens," says Ferris. "So, this week is more important than ever."

According to the CMHA, 40 per cent of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated since the beginning of the pandemic. One of the week's main goals is to shift societal beliefs and perceptions about mental health. CMHA administration assistant Theresa Zacharias says there's a lot on the go.

"We're taking the time out of the week to make people aware of what is going on. As well as letting people know what resources are out there," says Zacharias. "Some fun things are planned with the CMHA National. They have a spirit week you can check out on their website, and there are going to be different activities going on throughout the week."

Did you know that one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness or a mental health issue in any given year? Practicum student Angela Mitchell says you never have to be alone.

"This is an exciting week to be a staple in the community, to let those who are struggling right now know that you are not alone. There's help out there, there are people who care, and there are people who want to contribute to their health and well-being."

You can find a full list of resources on the CMHA website.