PREECEVILLE - Mental health problems affect everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. One in five will suffer in silence from mental health issues, said Dr. Devin Seghers of The Missing Peace Therapy Centre, Preeceville. World Health Day was acknowledged on October 10.
Seghers was a guest speaker at the Preeceville Mental Health Walk held October 3 at Annie Laurie Lake in Preeceville. He touched on numerous topics related to mental health issues and discovering “a peace in your puzzle” that includes, spiritual, emotional, physical, social, financial and mental.
Seghers, originally from Regina, has traveled the world helping people with mental health issues and settled in Preeceville in 2016, where he continues to provide professional help through both online and in-person settings. He is an ordained pastor and completed his PhD in Psychology and has mentored and assisted those from children to adults dealing with mental health issues.
He established The Missing Peace Therapy Centre in 2016 and was based out of his Preeceville home until he purchased a large centenarian home located along the highway, across from the Preeceville Lutheran Church and the Esso gas station. “The house was a great fit for us,” said Seghers. “The location is perfect and it offers a very relaxed environment. Carly Bosomworth, massage therapist, has joined me in offering a more complete health wellness centre. We plan to add an art gallery displaying artwork from local artists and are hopeful to develop the outside to better host events offering a positive social environment.
“I went into psychology from the ministry to deepen my care for people. I thought it best to deepen my understanding of the mental and emotional development of the whole person. Psychology has opened the door for me to better evaluate and provide treatment for varied mental health disorders. My personal life experiences growing up to present have propelled me to have a deeper understanding of mental health issues
“Every one of us should seek to develop our mental health just like our physical health,” continued Seghers. “Most with a mental health disorder suffer in silence as there are many stigmas surrounding mental problems. To help overcome the stigma we need to talk about it, not be disgraced or feel dishonoured to speak about it. Mental health issues are often kept quiet and in order to help break that we need to talk, listen and be careful of the words we use when we speak to one another. It is not a choice to have a mental health problem, it is time we break down the silent barrier.”
Seghers works closely with the medical field, social services and the RCMP to help individuals get the help they need. Mental health involves everyone from young and old with the youngest Seghers has treated being four years old.
The effects of people suffering anxiety, depression and fear have increased over this pandemic of COVID,” stated Seghers. “It has created more fear and uncertainty. With all mental health problems, I encourage people to no longer suffer in silence as it isn’t just you that suffers. We can only attain success when we longer remain silent about how we really feel. One in four people will be diagnosed with a mental disorder after the age of 18 and 40 per cent will not get the required help. Thankfully, over the years we have made strides overcoming the stigma with mental health issues.
“I’m not sure the term mental health truly gives a positive aspect to really what mental health is. Mental health should be something we all try to achieve rather than try to avoid,” he concluded.
