By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In an era of constant connectivity and high-performance expectations, taking time to slow down is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. But according to Mouvement Santé mentale Québec, it is a vital act of self-care that can help manage the rising tide of collective anxiety. As spokesperson Joséphine Tschirhart explained in a recent interview, the organization is launching a campaign to encourage people to recognize the importance of recharging their mental batteries.
“We work in mental health prevention and promotion,” said Tschirhart. “Every year, we launch a campaign focused on how to protect, develop, and reinforce our mental health. This year, we’re talking about how to take a step back, take breaks, and manage the challenges of living in a fast-paced, high-performance society.”
The campaign, titled “Reenergize: Discover What Recharges Your Battery,” will officially launch on March 13, the National Day for the Promotion of Positive Mental Health. It aims to provide tools and strategies to help individuals build moments of rest into their daily routines. The initiative is based on research indicating that prolonged exposure to stress and anxiety-inducing news, coupled with the demands of multitasking, can deplete mental energy reserves and lead to burnout.
A growing concern – The human energy crisis
According to a Léger survey commissioned by the Association pour la santé publique du Québec, 38 per cent of workers and students believe they are at risk of burnout if they continue at their current pace. The study also found that over half of Quebecers wish to slow down their lifestyle, a figure that rises to 76 per cent among students and 68 per cent among parents.
Tschirhart highlighted that society is facing what mental health experts call a “human energy crisis.” The constant interruptions of modern life, from work demands to social media notifications, weaken attention spans and increase stress levels. Research from Laval University found that the average workweek has increased by 3.3 hours in recent years, exacerbating stress and limiting people’s ability to recharge. This relentless pace, experts say, is taking a toll on relationships, social lives, and overall well-being.
Professor Jean-Pierre Després of Laval University’s Department of Kinesiology and Scientific Director of the VITAM – Centre de recherche en santé durable, warns that “we have built a society that is incompatible with human health. We overuse our mental energy just as we overuse the planet’s resources.”
