‘Happy to chat’ seating areas and stickers coming to Mic Mac Mall

Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth, N.S. (Source: Google Maps)

A new partnership hopes to get people to sit down with strangers and have a chat at a Dartmouth, N.S., shopping centre.

Mic Mac Mall has designed Happy to Chat seating areas with the Dartmouth Community Health Board and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

When someone sits in a marked seating area it means they are open to striking up a conversation with others.

The initiative is launching during Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is “Come Together, Canada” and encourages Canadians to connect with their communities.

The Happy to Chat Bench Project first launched in Dartmouth in 2019, and more benches were added throughout Eastern Passage last year.

“Life can feel heavy and isolating sometimes,” said Tia Hathaway, Mic Mac Mall’s client experience and community engagement manager.

“Mic Mac Mall has always been a hub for Dartmouth, and we want to help combat the loneliness that some community members may be feeling. We’re honoured to be the region’s newest Happy to Chat location.”

The designated seating areas will be unveiled during a grand opening ceremony on Level 2 of the mall at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Wearable Happy to Chat stickers will also be available at Guest Services for the first few months of the initiative.

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