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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, S ep te m be r 27 ,2 01 8 | 8 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editorial@waterloochronicle.ca facebook.com/waterloochronicle @wlchronicle WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Nelson Parreira nparreira@metroland.com Regional Advertising Director Bill Ford bford@metroland.com Sales Lead/Advertising Representative Michelle Stevens ext. 795062 Advertising Representatives Cassandra Dellow ext. 795066 Zach Peters ext. 795068 Jan Bodanka ext. 795072 Delia Medina ext. 795065 Regional Editor Mike Wilson Reporters Adam Jackson Bill Jackson Namish Modi CONTACT US Waterloo Chronicle 630 Riverbend Dr. Kitchener, ON N2B 2G1 Phone: 519-886-2830 Fax: 519-579-2029 Web: www.waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail customerservice@metroland.com or call 519-894-3000 OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA EDITORIAL It's time to take a look at how efficiently our poli- ticians are working. In Waterloo Region, there are nearly 60 elected offi- cials in municipal governments, including the seven cities and townships, as well as the regional govern- ment. The cost-savings potential is substantial. We're talk- ing potentially millions of dollars saved by cutting a few local politicians. With that said, if we do go down that road, there needs to be massive public consultation done. We're not suggesting a Doug Ford-esque slashing without public discourse. Waterloo mayoral candidate Chris Kolednik suggest- ed the possibility of cutting regional council by reducing the number of councillors who represent Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, leaving most of the decision- making to the mayors of each city. While more research needs to be done, it doesn't seem like a terrible idea. These politicians make important decisions that affect our everyday lives - even more so than the pro- vincial and federal governments. Municipalities take care of things that affect our quality of life - from gar- bage collection to homeless shelters - and we need to make sure that, if any changes are made, there is no disruption to the effectiveness or efficiency of these services. Municipal politicians aren't well-paid like their pro- vincial and federal colleagues, but the costs do add up, especially once travel costs and per diem expenses are factored in, on top of the base salary. If there is a reduction, we need to make sure that there is still local representation that truly understands the impact of macro decisions. Whether it's the installa- tion of a stop sign somewhere in New Hamburg or the construction of a community centre, there still needs to be local feedback and decision-making. When it comes to staff, that's a more difficult subject. Amalgamation of staff in the past have shown that it has little to no effect on efficiency, as most municipalities work with minimal staffing. Plus, having staff at all municipalities allows for them to focus on their own backyard, as they should. There is room for balance - if we put our creative minds to it. It can be done. With the Ford Progressive Conservative provincial government at the helm, municipalities need to look at ways to save money and create efficiencies. It's unclear whether or not Waterloo Region will be next on the chopping block. But it doesn't hurt to at least start the conversation now about how we can become more efficient and save our taxpayers potentially mil- lions of dollars. Every dollar helps. WE SHOULD LOOK AT REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS STIGMA. One word that can just make your skin crawl when it comes to talk- ing about mental health. But what can you do about it? Well, a lot. And it's not just big things that fight stigma. It's also little things that you can do each and ev- ery day. 1. Watch your language Now, nobody is standing over you with a bar of soap ready to wash your mouth out for any verbal slip. Lan- guage takes practice, so pay attention do what you're saying and resolve to make some good changes. For example, don't call your packed day "crazy" - call it "busy." Need to make your bed perfectly in the morning? Don't say "I have OCD" - say "I'm particular." Maple Leafs lost ... again? Don't say "I'm depressed" - say "I'm disappointed." Describing everyday feelings with terms related to mental illness and stigma can be demeaning to people who really do suffer each and every day. 2. Talk, talk, talk Most of us think nothing of empathizing with some- one who has a cold or the flu. But what if someone seems to be down, stressed or oth- erwise struggling? How would you feel about asking what's up? Put that in your stigma- busting tool box - asking and then listening. Really listen- ing. "You don't seem your- self today. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?" or "How are you doing? You seem frazzled." Don't focus on fixing the problem - lis- ten to how the person is feel- ing and show empathy. If you can do something to help, do it. 3. Post, like, click, and share We've seen tons of things go viral - goats screaming like humans, grumpy cats and so on. So use the power of social media for good and stomp on stigma by talking about mental health. Share a personal jour- ney, post a touching or in- spiring video or just say what's on your mind when it comes to mental health. Even just telling your net- work that you're open to talking can give others per- mission to talk as well. We can all be part of a so- lution to stigma. Try these three tips as a starting point to open up positive conver- sations and take a step to- ward that solution. Melanie McGregor is the communications and ad- vancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region branch, which provides mental health/addictions community support and education. Visit www.hal- ton.cmha.ca for more in- formation and follow @cmhahalton on Twitter for news and updates. THREE STIGMA-BUSTERS YOU CAN DO TODAY WE CAN ALL BE PART OF A SOLUTION TO STIGMA, WRITES MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column