#BeAFriend.
As we enter Mental Health Week (May 4–10), I have a simple but vital challenge for you: Check in on someone. Not just a "how's it going" in passing, but a real conversation about how they are actually doing.
The Reality in 2026: the statistics are more than just numbers, they are our neighbors, colleagues, and family:
1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness or substance use disorders annually. 50% of Canadians will have faced mental illness by age 40. 5 million Canadians (13%) report feeling lonely "often or always."
Why This is Personal: May is a personal month for me. In May 1999, I lost my brother to suicide. That loss shattered my world.
I can still see him perfectly, the last time I saw him, he was sitting on a bench, quiet and lost in his thoughts. At the time, I was too consumed by my own "busy" life to stop and truly notice. I will always live with the regret of not simply pausing to ask: "How are you doing?"
I often wonder, if I had taken that one minute to check in, would he still be here today?
My challenge to you all.
Don't let "busy" get in the way of a connection that could change a life. Between May 4th and 10th, I’m challenging everyone in my network to reach out to one friend, family member, or colleague.
A simple conversation can change the entire direction of someone’s mental health.
Please share this message. Let’s all just hashtag#BeAFriend.
hashtag#MentalHealthWeek hashtag#BeAFriend hashtag#Calgary hashtag#Connection hashtag#MentalHealthMatters hashtag#EndTheStigma
Your Friend
Danijel Slisko
Mission accomplished!
Had the best time Christmas shopping with my favorite little helper, Ava! We shopped up a total storm, but don't tell Mom... yet!
So excited for the holidays!
