The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 24, 2015 | 6 Reaching out is a two-way street It's so important to reach out. That's what we know someone should do when dealing with mental health issues. It may seem simple, but can be one of the most difcult things to do for anyone who nd themselves challenged by their feelings or thoughts. Still, it needs to be done because help is available. However reaching out is not something that should be left solely to someone who is struggling. Everyone has a role to play. It is not just the responsibility of someone who needs support to nd it, but all of us to offer it when asked -- and especially to cultivate an environment in which assistance can be sought and delivered without shame. The friend, co-worker, family member, even stranger, who recognizes someone is in need, should extend a hand -- to the person and on their behalf. Reaching out does not need to be an effort of heroic proportion, it may simply mean taking the extra step to connect someone in need to someone who can help. It can be an inquiry if all is well or asking if you can do something for someone. It can be recognizing that a person may be struggling and providing options. Reaching out also means working to eliminate stereotypes and fears historically attached to mental health issues so individuals are not afraid to seek support. While it is ever so important for someone facing a mental health challenge to seek treatment, it is imperative that meaningful assistance is available and particularly in an environment conducive to healing. This is not new. Everyone faces uphill battles at some point in time. We all require a helping hand at various junctures in our lives. When we are physically ill, we reach out to our health-care system. There is no worry that somehow we should keep our issues quiet or to ourselves. It is easy to say assistance is available and that people must reach out for it, but if it is not productive, if the environment is not receptive, such that reaching out creates or exacerbates issues, we are presenting an unfair set of options to those who instead require a gentle touch, a kind heart and an open mind. There are many meaningful services available in our community, not just for mental health issues, but poverty, abuse, educational challenges and physical health issues. We must all know it's OK to get on that path of healing without fear or labels. We must all also know that it's up to each of us to create a landscape in which people are not only encouraged, but comfortable, about seeking support. That is why we will mark Mental Health Week May 4-10. It will be the 64th annual Mental Health Week sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Canada's champion for mental health that delivers programs and services to more than half a million Canadians every year. At the same time, Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) will mark Children's Mental Health Week with its Change the View video contest. Locally, other events and awareness campaigns will be in the spotlight. Watch the Oakville Beaver for coverage and, remember, reaching out is only effective if a helping hand awaits. Editorial I T A L L A D D S U P "Connected to your Community" 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 33 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS) math students competed in the Math@Mac Online Mathematics event last November. The contest saw a total of 1,020 teams participate from 68 schools (both Canadian and International. Jacob Newton (second from right) and Maegan Ong (second from left) competed as a team and had an outstanding result nishing in second place for the Grade 11 category. Recently, OTHS principal John Phillips, left, and math teacher Jarka Vankova, right, presented the students with their certi cates and $50 each. | submitted photo SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Letters to the Editor What happened to the hockey net? So, we left our hockey net out on the driveway last night. Yup, we were playing outside and had to go in when it was dark. When we got up today -- it was gone. What happened? Whatever possessed you to pick it up as garbage or for you to think you could receive a few bucks for a bit of metal? Hockey nets are a kid's favourite possession. It was in great condition, not scratched, nor was the net torn. It was ours. Almost every kid in Canada has a hockey net; it is usually left out so we can `take Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member shots' whenever we want -- isn't that a kid's normal Canadian privilege and pastime? At least we were playing outside. If it was picked up as garbage, the team should use common sense and leave the nets alone unless someone puts a sign on them saying it is garbage. Metal pick-up? The amount of money you received for the metal would not be worth it. That is just plain mean. Please use common sense. And if you are a thief and took it -- shame on you. Jen Bourdeau on behalf of two boys in Oakville without a hockey net Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: MP responds to Trudeau coverage Re: Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau likes public policy clarity, Oakville Beaver, Thursday, April 16, 2015 Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is quoted in the Oakville Beaver saying, "I believe that public policy is helped when there's sunshine on it, when things are done in clear view." see A federal on p.7 The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.