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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, O ct ob er 18 ,2 01 8 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Regional Manager Digital Content Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA EDITORIAL The 2018 municipal election is nearly upon us. Oct. 22 is voting day for municipalities across the province unless, of course, you cast your ballot early in an advance poll. If you have voted already, or plan to on Monday, give yourself a pat on the back. No, really. The fact of the matter is that far too few of us even bother to vote in municipal elections. While the 2015 federal election's voter turnout hit an impressive 68.5 per cent and the recent provincial election saw 58.4 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, most municipal elec- tions struggle to see voter turnout crack 40 per cent. And that's a shame. Granted, municipal issues may not always possess quite the same gravitas as those at the provincial or federal lev- els, but important deci- sions are still made at your local council table. Arguably, the choices made by members of coun- cil at your town or city hall have more of an im- pact on your daily life than the legislation that gets debated and passed at Queen's Park or Parlia- ment Hill - even if the latter two arenas garner considerably more press coverage and punditry. That's not to say that federal and provincial issues aren't important, but upper and lower-tier municipalities are direct- ly responsible for the administration of many services you rely on every day, including local and regional road maintenance, providing clean drinking water, garbage collection and countless others. If you have concerns about the delivery of local services, future development and/or your annual property tax bill - a perennial gripe for many homeowners - then now is the time to express it both to the incumbent politicians seeking re-election and the new candidates hoping to replace them. It's very easy to get turned off politics these days, but given the important role municipal government plays in our communities, it behooves us all to take some time over the next few days, learn a little bit about those who desire to represent us and then vote for the candidates we think will do the best job. After all, this is your best opportunity to voice what you want for the future of your community. A chance like this only comes once every four years. IMPORTANT TO VOTE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTION "Arguably, the choices made by members of council at your town or city hall have more of an impact on your daily life than the legislation that gets debated and passed at Queen's Park or Parliament Hill." STIGMA. One word that can just make your skin crawl when it comes to talking about mental health. But what can you do about it? Well, a lot. And it's not just big things that fight stigma. It's also little things that you can do each and every day. So, pull out your to-do list for today and add these three items: 1. Watch your language Language takes prac- tice, so pay attention do what you're saying and re- solve to make some good changes. For example, don't call your packed day "crazy" - call it "busy." Need to make your bed perfectly in the morning? Don't say "I have OCD" - say "I'm particular." Maple Leafs lost ... again? Don't say "I'm depressed" - say "I'm disappointed." Describing everyday feelings with terms related to mental illness and stig- ma can be demeaning to people who really do suffer each and every day. 2. Talk, talk, talk Most of us think nothing of empathizing with some- one who has a cold or the flu. But what if someone seems to be down, stressed or otherwise struggling? How would you feel about asking what's up? Put that in your stigma- busting tool box - asking and then listening. Really listening. "You don't seem yourself today. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?" or "How are you do- ing? You seem frazzled." Don't focus on fixing the problem - listen to how the person is feeling and show empathy. If you can do something to help, do it. You'll be opening doors to real, stigma-free conver- sation about mental health. 3. Post, like, click, and share We've seen tons of things go viral - goats screaming like humans, grumpy cats and so on. So use the power of social me- dia for good and stomp on stigma by talking about mental health. Share a personal jour- ney, post a touching or in- spiring video or just say what's on your mind when it comes to mental health. Even just telling your net- work that you're open to talking can give others per- mission to talk as well. We can all be part of a so- lution to stigma. Melanie McGregor is the communications and ad- vancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region branch, which provides mental health/addictions community support and education. Visit www.hal- ton.cmha.ca for more in- formation and follow @cmhahalton on Twitter for news and updates. THREE STIGMA-BUSTERS YOU CAN DO TODAY WE CAN ALL BE PART OF A SOLUTION TO STIGMA, WRITES MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column