The popular children’s show Nanalan’ is teaming up with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to highlight the power of compassion. The partnership comes in time for CMHA’s 73rd Mental Health Week (May 6-12). This year’s theme is healing through compassion. With Canadians facing worrying levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness heightened by social inequality, the affordability crisis, and ongoing climate concerns, many are seeking ways to comfort themselves and heal their inner child. It’s one of the many reasons Nanalan’ has had a massive resurgence, with millions of views across social media.

“I think the show resonates so well this time around because of its simple, pure essence,” Jamie Shannon, co-creator of Nanalan’ said in a story provided to YSN. “The world is such an overwhelming place, a lot of people are looking for love, comfort and peace, and that’s what Nanalan’ is all about.” Nanalan’, which made its debut in 1999, follows the adventures of a three-year-old puppet girl named Mona as she learns, grows and plays in her nana’s backyard. The show’s bright colours, whimsical charm and simplicity offer a unique form of stress relief and mental wellness. Both CMHA and Nanalan’ touch on emotional intelligence while highlighting how kindness can connect us all. “We get a lot of cameo requests from people who are burnt out, or sad, or going through a difficult personal crisis, looking to receive pep talks, and support from Nana and Mona,” said Jason Hopley, co- creator of Nanalan’. “I think that speaks to what people are in need of right now which is compassion and kindness, and Nanalan’ really embodies that.”

A recent study by CMHA and Maru/Matchbox found that almost all Canadians (92 per cent) identify themselves to be compassionate. Evidence also suggests that giving compassion, receiving compassion, and allowing ourselves to experience self-compassion are all very beneficial to our mental health. “Compassion is the practice of meeting suffering – whether our own or the suffering of others – with kindness. We all have the capacity to be compassionate and can benefit from its healing qualities,” said Margaret Eaton, National CEO, CMHA. “That’s why we’re so excited about partnering with Nanalan’. If we can treat others with the same compassion and kindness that Nana does with Mona, it can make an enormous difference for our mental health,” Eaton adds.

Mental Health Week is from May 6-12. This year’s theme “Healing through Compassion” emphasizes how compassion connects us all. We can practice compassion by:

• Showing warmth and understanding during times of suffering, failure, or perceived inadequacy;

• Acknowledging that both suffering and personal shortcomings are unavoidable aspects of the shared human experience;

• Adopting a balanced approach to emotions to ensure feelings are neither suppressed nor exaggerated.

ABOUT THE CMHA

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association is the most established, most extensive community mental health federation in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and the Yukon, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.

For more information, visit www. cmha.ca.