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, M ay 5, 20 22 | 6 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 70 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 Donna Luelo Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Regional General Manager Nelson Parreira Regional Director of Media Heather Dunbar Advertising Representatives Fran Hendry, Katrina Anderson, Jan Bodanka, Matt Miller, Lisa Humphreys, Cassandra Dellow, Zaid Shahabuddin, Managing Editor Robyn Wilkinson Online Editor Loraine Centeno News Editor Ned Bekavac Reporter Bill Jackson Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron CONTACT US Waterloo Chronicle 219 Labrador Dr. Suite 203, Waterloo, On., N2K 4M8 Phone: 519-886-2830 Web: www.waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at waterloochronicle.ca 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 For the past two years, the pandemic has kept us apart with a series of lock- downs, physical distanc- ing, and divisive demon- strations. Case after case, COVID-19 has caused col- lective trauma and many of us have reached a breaking point. A recent Canadian Mental Health Association national survey revealed more than half of people polled are worried the vi- rus will continue to impact our lives and circulate for years. The fear behind this be- lief has triggered strong physical reactions, such as aggression and anger. As mask mandates, capacity limits, and proof of vacci- nation checks are lifted, we are now going through the difficult process of deter- mining our comfort levels and adapting to a new land- scape. This is all we have been seeing for the past two years and it has consumed us. But there is now anoth- er global crisis: the war in Ukraine. Here 24/7 staff at CMHA Waterloo Wellington have been receiving an increas- ing number of calls from people experiencing an im- pact on their mental health because of the conflict in Ukraine. Some of these cal- lers have family or friends in the country. Others are experiencing flashbacks of traumatic experiences from living in a war-im- pacted country. Here 24/7 has also been supporting callers feeling distressed over graphic news cover- age and the uncertainty of how the situation may es- calate here at home. Together, we are watch- ing and experiencing this trauma as it unfolds. How- ever, just as we did during the darkest moments of the COVID-19 pandemic, to- gether, we are finding our way by helping others. As Canadians, we are stand- ing with the courageous people of Ukraine by wel- coming those fleeing the war. Community groups and charitable organiza- tions are raising funds, of- ten in creative ways, to do- nate to relief efforts. The generosity of individuals, organizations and busi- nesses has provided bil- lions of dollars to assist in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. We are inspired by the people of Ukraine, who have shown courage, brav- ery and resilience in the face of this crisis. As we line up to help in any way we can, we are also reflect- ing on how our lives have been impacted over the past two years. It has helped us see something else: the deeply devastating events overseas are re- minding us of the impor- tance of gratitude for some- thing as significant as a shared value of peace, or for something as small as a cup of coffee with a friend. Our collective trauma has the ability to transform in- to a sense of collective hope, shining a light on our interconnectedness, and enforcing the power of per- spective during this diffi- cult time. CMHA Waterloo Wel- lington works daily to pro- mote mental health, recov- ery and resilience in the community. But we can't do it alone. You can sup- port CMHA WW by making a donation at www.cmhaww.ca/donate. Your gift will help CMHA WW help people experienc- ing mental health issues, including their families and caregivers, to access information and support as soon as they need it. You can also access 24-hour support through our Here 24/7 Crisis Support at 1-844- 437-3247. Helen Fishburn is the CEO of the Canadian Men- tal Health Association of Waterloo Wellington. She is a lifelong advocate for increased awareness of mental health issues and has dedicated her career to advancing the design of an improved mental health care system. Fishburn was recently recognized with the 2021 Champion of Men- tal Health: Community award by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. WAR IN UKRAINE LEADING TO INCREASED CALLS TO CMHA OUR COLLECTIVE TRAUMA HAS THE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM INTO A SENSE OF COLLECTIVE HOPE, WRITES HELEN FISHBURN HELEN FISHBURN Column It has been said that the cure for boredom is curios- ity and that there is no cure for curiosity. We tend to be- lieve, perhaps too often, that our children need something to entertain them, some activity or game or toy to direct their attention. We provide them with devices for that purpose wherever they are -- in the car, in their rooms or out in a park. A little boredom might, on the other hand, be a good thing. Our brains, and the brains of our children, seek the simplest and most easi- ly repeated patterns that get us what we need. We like to view ourselves as complex creatures, but we're really just doing what most other animals do -- seeking food and shelter (in our case through economic means), and protecting and teaching our children in the hopes they, too, will do the same for their families in the future. But, in reality, this kind of single-mindedness is not enough for the excess ca- pacity of the human brain, and thus, in the moments when we are not fulfilling those basic survival func- tions, we have a tendency to have space for our minds to wander, to think creatively. Our boredom is, indeed, channelled into curiosity, which is why we no longer live in the wild with fur loincloths, cracking rocks together in hopes of getting a spark. Our curious and cre- ative brain is separated from our basic survival mode brain and, consistent with the notion of "use it or lose it," needs stimulation to be both more creative and more efficient. If every day is filled with directed activities, the curious and creative part of the brain weakens and, when it's needed for some unexpect- ed challenge, it simply waves the "I can't" or "I don't know" white flag of surrender. Don't get me wrong. There will always be some extraordinarily curious people, and human devel- opment is likely to continue even if most of us are teth- ered to addictive devices that leave us numbed and obese. But an awful lot of creative talent is at risk for loss if we do not stoke the fires of curiosity in all chil- dren. And while schools play a role, no one plays a greater role than parents. How do you feed curios- ity? Provide plenty of di- verse materials for draw- ing, building and creating. Ask more questions than you answer, and listen to and reinforce your chil- dren's creative ideas. En- courage your children to follow their instincts to ex- plore, to dig in dirt, to splash in puddles, to catch a butterfly, to do any of a bil- lion different things that extends their observations and activities outside their normal range of actions. Give them safety guide- lines, of course, but not so many that they are para- lyzed by them. Curiosity carries a little risk, but then that's what reinforces it. Finding something new in the unknown is its own reward, and it is equally ad- dictive to that creative part of the brain. In the full disclosure of transparency, it is more work as a parent to provide the unstructured activities and unanswered questions necessary to stimulate cu- riosity than it is to provide the passive entertainment that keeps kids out of your hair, but both are neces- sary, and the greater the proportion of the former, the greater the potential of having a child who will rarely utter the words, "I'm bored!" Graham Hookey is the author of "Parenting Is A Team Sport" and can be reached at ghookey@ya- hoo.com. FEEDING CHILDREN'S CURIOSITY GRAHAM HOOKEY Column