Author and motivational speaker Allan Kehler will be in Melfort next Thursday. (Facebook/Allan Kehler)

By Angie Rolheiser

MENtal Health: It's Time to Talk

Best selling author and motivational speaker, Allan Kehler bringing his message to the northeast

Mar 12, 2020 | 3:00 PM

One of Canada’s most sought-after mental health speakers will be in Melfort in one week’s time.

Author of MENtal Health: It’s time to talk, Allan Kehler will speak to a crowd at the Kerry Vickar Centre on Thursday, March 19.

Kehler said his newly published book focuses on men but is for absolutely everyone.

“This book will help women understand what makes us tick and we also dedicated one chapter that looks at how to support the men in their life,” Kehler said. “We have two women who share stories around supporting their son and their husband.”

Kehler told notheastNOW he continues to meet men who carry their pain for too long because of certain barriers. Those barriers include fear of judgment and being perceived as being weak and disclosure of personal challenges impeding on their jobs.

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Growing up in rural Saskatchewan himself, Kehler knows what types of challenges can arise.

“Small towns can be incredibly warm, receptive, and tight-knit and I just want to bring that same approach with mental health because there is still some stigma that exists,” Kehler said.

Next week’s talk will cover issues from addictions, trauma, and suicide.

“Boys in particular are always training to be men,” Kehler said. “As men, if we can’t have these difficult conversations then our youth won’t either.”

Kehler boasts an impressive resume of speaking on over 500 stages coast to coast over the past 10 years and has also written four best-selling books. His most recent publication came out at the end of January.

The MENtal health event that is expected to see over 100 attendees will serve as a fundraiser for the second Youth Matter mental health symposium put on by Laura Lawrence of MindBody Balance Therapies.

Last year’s youth symposium saw over 300 youth from ten different schools and communities in the northeast. Since then, Lawrence had requests to bring more events and conversations surrounding mental health to the area.

“We are seeing more and more that men are starting to step up and share their stories,” Lawrence said.

Farm World is a title sponsor for the event to show support for men and mental health in agriculture. The company purchased ticket packages as well for employees and consumers.

Mental illness does not have one face according to Lawrence, “Five in five people have mental health, one in five people have mental illness.”

Tickets for Thursday’s event are available at RJ’s Urban Garden in Melfort, or through MindBody Balance Therapies.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser