The local chapter of the Canadian Metal Health Association is in their 20th year of a very successful awareness and fundraising campaign

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The Daisy has been the central symbol for the Canadian Mental Health Association for many years. The flower, which represents peace and hope, stands to remind us that mental health, like the daisy, is common and widespread, growing strong against all odds.

This year, from May 5 to 11, local Canadian Mental Health Associations will be handing out daisy buttons to serve as a didactic aid, raising awareness to rid the stigma around mental illness.

"The more education people get about mental health, the better," says co-chair Carmel Fitch, explaining how the small accessories display an important message. "The buttons serve a visual purpose. Anytime you are in the public eye it can help dispel myths."

It has been 20 years since the Daisy Campaign has been raising funds for their agency, which are directly distributed back into local centres such as Moncton, Shediac and Sackville. Although each location is under the umbrella of the United Way, the group must raise sixty percent of their annual budget through this event.

The only problem is that the associations cannot sell anything to raise their percentage. The solution to this was founded 20 years ago when Moncton CMHA Board members Terry Ryan, Harold Robins and Leo Thibodeau spearheaded the button campaign.

Bought cheaply, the buttons were handed out by volunteers and members of CMHA. Last year alone, the Moncton chapter raised approximately $22,000 in donations with a generous matching of funds by Scotiabank to keep their programs running.

20 years ago, CMHA enlisted the aid of skaters from the Bi-Centennial Skating Club and the Skating Seniors, which represented the vast majority of volunteers. Although some have remained as assistants each year, the group now boasts over one hundred helpers, ranging from age 20 to 80.

Within the diversity of volunteers and button recipients comes a background of people who may have dealt with mental health themselves.

"People say there are one in four Canadians who deal with mental health," shares Carmel. "But I would say we all deal with it at one point in our life."

He points out that stress, depression and anxiety are some familiar forms of mental health issues we may overlook. What the button campaign hopes to provide is a form of recognition for those who deal with mental illness in their life.

"Sometimes the illness isn't physically obvious so people don't tend to understand it," says Carmel. "They don't know what to say to you when you have a mental illness. People tend to be known in mental health by their diagnosis, not their person."

The Moncton branch provides an enormous resource for people by offering an open centre, called Our Place or Chez Nous Activity Centre.

"It is a place where people can come in and feel accepted," explains Carmel. It is one of the many programs which benefit from this fundraiser. Other group courses include 'With Hope in Mind', an eight week course educating families living with mental illness, 'Depression Support Groups', 'Parenting of Children with ADHD,' and 'Understanding your Grief.' Many of the programs are offered in French and English.

The Moncton branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is located at Suite 104, 30 Gordon Street. For more information call 859-8114. If you are interested donating towards the campaign, look for buttons at businesses in Riverview, Moncton, Dieppe, Sackville, and Shediac.