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September: A Month of Recovery, Hope and Connection

September: A Month of Recovery, Hope and Connection

Two people walking along a trail in a forest with back packs on.

September is National Recovery Month, preceded by International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, and featuring World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. These observances unite global communities to remember lives lost, promote effective treatment, and shatter the heavy stigma surrounding mental health, addiction, and suicide.

This year, Prairie Mountain Health’s the Recovery Champions Committee, Suicide Prevention Awareness Resilience Prevention (SPARK) Committee, and Healing Outreach Promotion Education (HOPE) Committees are coming to together to host an event in Dauphin.

Join us at Northgate Trails on September 2nd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., as we come together to recognize these important awareness days, connect with community, and promote hope, recovery and support.

We encourage everyone to share the event widely and join us if you are able!

Talking openly about mental health, substance use, and suicide can help reduce the stigma surrounding these issues. Silence can contribute to isolation, while compassionate and empathetic conversations can help people feel safe asking for support.

Mental Health and substance use are health concerns that can affect anyone. By recognizing this and creating spaces where people can talk about their experiences without fear of judgement, can encourage people to seek help earlier and connect with the supports they need.

Building compassionate communities where asking for help is met with care rather than judgement is an important part of creating strong support systems and supporting recovery.

Recovery looks different for everyone, but no one should have to navigate it alone. By sharing stories of hope, reducing stigma, and connecting people with support, we can help create communities where people feel encouraged to reach out, seek treatment, and move forward on their recovery journey.

Move for Your Mental Health

Move for Your Mental Health

PMH Moves graphic with outlines of people being active

Welcome to PMH Moves – a year-long Health Promotion series shared through PMH Communications. Each month, we’ll highlight a different way movement supports health across the lifespan — from boosting mood and focus to strength, walking, healthy aging, and staying active through the seasons.

While the topics will change, the message stays the same: every bit of movement counts — and it all adds up. Take what works for you and leave the rest.

This month’s article highlights how movement can support mental health by boosting mood, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being.

Movement is one of the simplest ways to support your mental health. It can boost mood, reduce stress, and help you feel more energized—no matter how you choose to move. This month, we’re exploring easy, enjoyable ways to get started.

As the seasons change, spring offers a natural opportunity to refresh routines and spend more time moving outdoors. The sun is shining, days are stretching out, the earth is waking up.  Spring is a time of fresh beginnings for nature as trees and flowers sprout new leaves and animals come out from a winter of hibernation.  Use nature as your cue to start moving for your physical and mental health.  

Being physically active looks different to everyone but can be as individual as each person. If you have not been active recently, start small.  Choose simple exercises, 10-minute periods of time and a place where you are comfortable. Choosing activities you enjoy will increase motivation to exercise. 

Yoga movements are low impact with a focus on mindfulness and breathing. Benefits of yoga include reducing stress, increasing oxygen flow to the brain and improving flexibility. Videos are available for at-home practice as well as in-person sessions in many communities with classes in chair yoga, and for beginner to advanced skill levels. Tai chi and Pilates are other forms of mind and body exercise worth trying.

Walking is simple, can be purposeful and accomplished virtually anywhere.  Sleep improves with walking, especially outdoors in fresh air. Other aerobic activities such as swimming (including aquasize exercise classes) provide low-impact movement for the body. 

Dancing in the comfort of your home or with a group is sure to put a smile on your face.  Allow your body to move to music without rules.

Gardening counts as exercise. Muscles are engaged as holes are dug, weeds are pulled and the harvest is carried away. This activity has bonus benefits of time outdoors, connecting with the earth, seeing and smelling flowers, and the feeling of accomplishment in harvesting vegetables.

Blue Monday

Blue Monday

You may have heard of Blue Monday, often described as “the saddest day of the year.” While this idea is sometimes used as a marketing message, it does highlight something important, the Winter Blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

During the winter months, many people notice changes in their mood and energy. Symptoms of SAD can include:

  • Lower energy
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Trouble concentrating or making decisions
  • Feeling very sad or tearful
  • Wanting to withdraw from others

To help bring awareness to the Winter Blues, here are a few simple workplace activities to create connection and open the door for conversation about how we are really doing.

Blue Monday Activities

Blueberry Muffins
  1. Blueberry Muffins – Serve blueberry muffins during coffee or lunch breaks using the printable tags created by the SPARK Committee.
  2. Glimmer Station – Set up a table with blue sticky notes or paper and invite staff to write down a “glimmer” — something good, kind, or positive they noticed during their day.
  3. Affirmation Cards – Print and cut small affirmation cards for staff to take with them.
  4. Wear Blue Day – Invite everyone to wear blue — socks, scarves, shirts, scrubs, or accessories.
  5. Gratitude Graffiti Wall – Create a gratitude wall using a large roll of paper and markers where staff can leave messages of appreciation for one another.
  6. A Warm Hug in a Mug – Set up a hot beverage station with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate so staff can enjoy a warm drink and share one with a co-worker.

Taking time to check in with one another, enjoy a snack or warm drink, and notice the good in our day can help support our mental wellness and reduce the effects of the Winter Blues.

If you feel you would like to connect with someone for additional support through Prairie Mountain Health you can call:

OVER THE AGE OF 18
NORTH of Riding Mountain National Park: 1-866-332-3030
SOUTH of Riding Mountain National Park: 1-888-379-7699

UNDER THE AGE OF 18
NORTH of Riding Mountain National Park: 1-866-332-3030
ALL AREAS: 1-866-403-5459

More information and resources can be found on the Mental Health page at www.prairiemountainhealth.ca.

Kelly Lewis
HOPE Community Coordinator

For Community, by Community: Introducing HOPE: Healing, Outreach, Promotion, Education

For Community, by Community: Introducing HOPE: Healing, Outreach, Promotion, Education

When it comes to suicide prevention and life promotion, our community has a powerful resource: HOPE. More than a word, Hope is a collaborative initiative led by a steering committee of local leaders and supported by a Community Coordinator. Guided by the proven Roots of Hope framework, this initiative is working to foster resilience, connection, and life-affirming change in our region.

HOPE stands for:

  • Healing – supporting those with lived experience.
  • Outreach – guiding our services and resources supporting individuals currently navigating thoughts of suicide.
  • Promotion – honouring the life-affirming perspectives held by Indigenous communities.
  • Education – offering continued learning and awareness across the Prairie Mountain Health region.

Together, these pillars create a strong, community-led movement. Guided by the Roots of Hope framework, the Hope initiative works to reduce stigma, build resilience, and support life at every stage.

Roots of Hope is a community-led suicide prevention and life promotion model being used across Canada. Developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), it provides a flexible, evidence-informed framework for communities to build local suicide prevention strategies.

The goal of Roots of Hope is to reduce the impact of suicide by addressing stigma, increasing awareness about mental illness, and promoting connected, supportive communities.

This made-in-Canada model was informed by global research and expert consultation and is adaptable to any community setting. It is structured around five pillars of action and thirteen guiding principles:

Five Pillars of Action

Happy people against a teal background
  • Specialized Supports
  • Training and Networks
  • Means Safety
  • Public Awareness
  • Research and Evaluation

Thirteen Guiding Principles

  • Comprehensive
  • Collaboration and Coordination
  • Culturally Appropriate
  • Recovery-Oriented
  • Evidence-Informed
  • Measurement and Evaluation
  • Lived Experience
  • Flexible
  • Strengths-Based
  • Spanning the Continuum
  • Community-Centred
  • Sustainable
  • Innovative

In 2024, the Province of Manitoba adopted the Roots of Hope framework, providing funding to each health authority to support implementation. Prairie Mountain Health created a steering committee, community assessments were initiated, and Kelly Lewis joined as Community Coordinator to lead this work in January 2025.

We are now working to embed the Roots of Hope model within existing networks and committees, as well as guide future goals in suicide prevention and life promotion throughout the region.

Current Groups Involved

  • SPIN (Suicide Prevention Implementation Network) – Regional
  • Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Committee – Regional
  • Westman Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Association – Local

If you’re interested in being involved in the HOPE initiative and adopting the Roots of Hope model in your community, want to learn more, or would like to connect with others involved in suicide prevention and life promotion, please reach out to:

Kelly Lewis
Hope Community Coordinator
[email protected]

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue the rollout of HOPE across the Prairie Mountain Health region.

September is World Suicide Prevention Month. In recognition of this important month, the regional groups SPIN and MWSPC will be hosting events and activities on Wednesday, September 10th across the region. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Dauphin Suicide Prevention Walk on September 10.
Swan River Suicide Prevention Walk on September 10.

World Suicide Prevention Day | September 10

World Suicide Prevention Day | September 10

Blue background with yellow and orange ribbon for suicide prevention.

SPIN (Suicide Prevention Implementation Network) Honours World Suicide Prevention Day

Each year on September 10th, people in more than 80 countries around the world unite to recognize World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), an initiative led by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). This global day of awareness is dedicated to reducing stigma, raising understanding, and inspiring action to prevent suicide.

The theme for WSPD 2024–2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” This theme highlights the urgent need to shift from silence and stigma, toward openness, understanding, and support. Changing the narrative requires systemic change—and together, communities can foster hope, connection, and safety for all.

“Suicide is a complex global health issue, but it is preventable,” says Sean Krausert, Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP). “Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide, and countless others are deeply affected. By changing the narrative, we can create a culture where conversations about suicide and mental health are safe, supported, and lifesaving.”

Local Events in Brandon, Manitoba

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, SPIN invites the community to join several events:

  • Free safeTALK Training – Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM
    Location: Brandon University- Health Studies Building- North Entrance@ 18th & Princess Ave. Pre-registration required by email: [email protected].
    safeTALK is a suicide alertness training program that teaches participants to recognize signs of suicide and how to connect individuals to life-saving resources.
  • Community Recognition – Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM Location: A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, Cultural Room – 638 Princess Ave.
    Join us as we recognize individuals who are making our community suicide-safer. A light lunch and community resources will be available.
  • Ribbon Tying Ceremony & Vigil – Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 | 7:00 PM
    Starting at Errol Black Park & 1st Street Bridge.
    This ceremony honours those lost to suicide and offers a space for healing. The evening will include hot chocolate, therapy dogs, support, and resources for attendees.
  • To close the day, both national and local participants are invited to join a global tradition: placing a lit candle in a window at 8:00 PM in their time zone to “Light a Flame of Hope” in remembrance of lives lost and in solidarity with those struggling.

Local Events in Dauphin, Manitoba

  • Community Awareness Walk – September 10 at noon (12-1pm). Vermillion Park (214 2nd Ave. NW) Dauphin. Free Hot Dogs for attendees. Join the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Committee for a community walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention. Information and materials to engage in personal awareness activities will be provided.
  • Chalk The Walk – Use chalk to help us beautify our community with images & messages of hope, resilience, suicide awareness & prevention. Decorate your walkway to inspire others. Look at the images with someone. Chat about Mental Wellness. FREE chalk available at Dauphin Community Health Office, Dauphin Library and Primary Care Outreach Clinic (PCOC).

Local Events in Swan River, Manitoba

  • Community Awareness Walk – September 10 at noon (12-1pm). Co-op Grocery Store Parking Lot (811 Main Street) Swan River. Join the Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Committee for a community walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention. Information and materials to engage in personal awareness activities will be provided.

The World Health Organization emphasizes that suicide is preventable with timely, evidence-based, and often low-cost interventions. Strengthening support networks, reducing stigma, and fostering open conversations about mental health are key to saving lives.

If you are struggling or concerned about someone else’s suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to reach out for help.

Contact the Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line at 1-877-435-7170, Or Simply dial or text 988- a crisis line available 24 hours per day. A trained crisis worker will listen to you and direct you to needed resources.

PMH Resources- Contact Westman Crisis Services at 204-725-4411 or 1-888-379-7699 in the Brandon Area or 1-866-332-3030 for PMH-North- Call 911 or contact a local hospital or health office.

SPIN Logo - person standing inside a sunshine with phone numbers, email address and social media icons.

Prairie Mountain Health- North Mental Wellness and Crisis Resources

PROVINCIAL CRISIS RESOURCES

Manitoba Suicide Line1-877-435-7170
Sexual Assault Crisis Line1-888-292-7565
Klinic Crisis Line1-866-367-3276
Manitoba Farm & Rural Stress Line1-888-322-3019
Manitoba Addictions Help Line1-855-662-6605
Kids Help Phone1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line1-855-242-3310
Reason to Livereasontolive.ca

Swan River HERO Club 30th Anniversary

Swan River HERO Club 30th Anniversary

Left to right: Jennifer Burtnack, Activity Instructor for the Roblin HERO Club, Joe Harambura – Roblin HERO Club member, Ron Galbraith – Dauphin HERO Club member.
Left to right: Jennifer Burtnack, Activity Instructor for the Roblin HERO Club, Joe Harambura – Roblin HERO Club member, Ron Galbraith – Dauphin HERO Club member.

The Swan River HERO Club celebrated its 30th Anniversary on July 17, 2025 at the HERO Club’s present location at 317 Main Street in Swan River. The HERO Club, which stands for Helping Everyone Reach Out, opened its doors in Swan River in 1995. Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) provides coordination and other program assistance to the HERO Club through its Community Mental Health program.

The closure of the Brandon Mental Health Center in the 1990s played a role in the development of the HERO Clubs. When the Brandon Mental Health Center closed, some of the people who lived there were asked where they would like to go and where they would like to live. These people needed help with adjusting to their home towns and communities and needed a safe and supportive place to hang out. Ed Miller, a Community Mental Health Worker in Swan River at the time, was instrumental in getting the HERO Clubs up and running.

Dorleen Sagert, Community Mental Health Worker within the PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Program, at the Swan River HERO Club 30th Anniversary celebrations.
Dorleen Sagert, Community Mental Health Worker within the PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Program, at the Swan River HERO Club 30th Anniversary celebrations.
 

The HERO Club in Dauphin opened in 1994, the Swan River Club opened in 1995 (in partnership with CMHA), the Roblin Club opened in 1999 and the Russell-Binscarth Club opened in 2001. These HERO Clubs were created to help people in meeting their needs with vocational, educational, recreational and social programming and activities. This has created connection among members and a sense of community within the H.E.R.O Club. The members support each other and help one another with their goals in life. This helps the members to feel empowered, productive, and supported. The HERO Club logo was created and drawn by a Club member and remains a visual cue to the success of the initiative.

PMH congratulates the Swan River HERO Club on its ongoing work and for achieving and highlighting such a notable milestone!

International Overdose Awareness Day – IOAD

International Overdose Awareness Day – IOAD

This International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), we come together as one big family to take action on overdose.

IOAD is observed on August 31 each year, with events taking place throughout the week in more than 40 countries.

The overdose crisis doesn’t just shatter our families, it fractures our communities. 

#End Overdose Purple heart

The losses go deeper than one person, one family or one neighborhood. They ripple out into classrooms, workplaces and the spaces we all share. They cross borders between cities, states and nations. 

But in a time when people are searching for connection and safety, overdose also reminds us that our lives are deeply intertwined. 

We often instinctively protect our own – our children, our parents, our siblings. We believe in second chances for our loved ones but struggle to extend that same compassion to others. But what if we saw each other as one big family, bound not just by blood, but by shared experiences, responsibility and commitment to each other? 

This International Overdose Awareness Day let’s imagine a new meaning of what family can be. A family driven by hope, love and action. We are one big family – not just because we share in the pain of loss, but because we share in the power to change what comes next. 

This August 31, we move beyond awareness. We organize, we show up, and we take action. Because no one should carry this grief alone. Every story shared, every voice raised and every step we take brings us closer to a future free from overdose. 

“International Overdose Awareness Day is a chance to come together with other people in the community who understand what it means to lose someone to overdose.”

“But it’s also about pushing for change, locally and globally. We invite everyone in the community to attend our events to help our campaign for a world without overdose.”

Overdose Awareness Walk followed by an afternoon of fund and education. 
When: Sunday, Aug. 31, 1-3
Where: Princess Park, Brandon, MB. 

Vigil to Honour Those Gone Too Soon.
Bring their picture, song or poem
When: Sunday, Aug. 31st, 6-7pm
Where: Dinsdale Park

Sweat Lodge Ceremony
When: Monday, August 25 at 11:00 AM
Where: WSFN Sweat Lodge Site located North West of Novra (North of Swan River)

See overdoseday.com for a full list of IOAD events and to learn more about overdose prevention.

Join our family this IOAD. 

#OneBigFamily #DrivenByHope #IOAD2025 #EndOverdose  

Article adapted from www.overdoseday.com

Events around the region

Overdose Awareness Events
Overdose Awareness Event Princess Park
IOAD Sweat Lodge

Roblin HERO Club Celebrates Mental Health Week

Roblin HERO Club Celebrates Mental Health Week

Roblin HERO Club Chair Yoga

Roblin’s HERO Club capped off Mental Health Week in May with a hamburger sale at the Parkway Co-op in Roblin. All the proceeds were going towards the purchase of a new garden shed.

The Club also held other activities including a community walk and made time for some ‘Chair Yoga”.  Local entertainers Ed Doering and Amy Wendell provided some entertainment earlier in the week. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week was “Unmasking Mental Health”. The HERO Club thanks Parkway Co-op for their generous contributions as well as all who supported and contributed during the week.

Roblin HERO Club BBQ

-Pictures courtesy of Roblin Review.

Managing Mental Health During the Holidays

Managing Mental Health During the Holidays

In the film Meet Me in St. Louis, Judy Garland sang the line, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light. From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.” Unfortunately, many people struggle with heavy hearts and numerous stressors over the holidays. The term “holiday stress” reflects increased symptoms of anxiety, impatience, fatigue, and depressed mood that many people experience over the holiday season. Several factors contribute to holiday stress, including financial concerns, tight schedules and heavy demands, loss of loved ones, isolation, and unrealistic expectations. And when stress is at its peak, it can be very hard to stop and regroup.

Stress cannot always be prevented; however, the following tips can be helpful to manage stressors during the holiday season.

grownups busy on phones and laptops at Christmas time.
  • Be aware of your feelings. If someone close to you has recently passed away or if you are away from loved ones, realize that it is normal to feel sadness and grief. It is also important to express your feelings. Do not try to “force yourself” to be happy just because it is the holiday season.
  • Have realistic expectations. Too many people expect the holidays to be “perfect.” There is no such thing as perfection; having those expectations will only add to the season’s stress. An asymmetrical tree or an over-cooked turkey will not ruin your holiday; instead, it will create a family memory. Perennial movie favourites, such as A Christmas Story or A Charlie Brown Christmas, are reminders of the endearing qualities of these imperfections.
  • Stay within your budget. Before you shop for gifts and food, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then, stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with a mountain of gifts. Some alternatives include giving homemade gifts and starting a family gift exchange. If your children’s wish list exceeds your budget, talk with them about reasonable expectations and remind them that the holidays are not about expensive gifts.
  • Manage your time and set boundaries. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you cannot participate in every project or activity. Set priorities and let go of impossible goals. Don’t spend all of your time planning activities for your family. You might end up feeling drained and unappreciated. Take the time you need to finish tasks that are important to you. Don’t try to complete everything at once; ask others to help you complete chores.
  • Keep healthy and take time for yourself. When people feel stressed-out and overwhelmed, they often forget about their self-care. Also, the holiday season is ripe with opportunities to overindulge. Make sure that you are eating regularly and healthily, getting a decent night’s sleep, and getting enough physical activity into your day. This can be difficult when the weather turns cold. Finally, pace yourself. Give yourself opportunities to rest and replenish. By slowing down, you will have more energy to accomplish your goals.
  • Do something for others. By volunteering or assisting others, we can get out of our experience for a while. Helping out at a food bank or a shelter can also give us some perspective regarding our worries and concerns.
  • Practice mindfulness. Often, just the act of focusing on our breath and the present moment in a non-judgmental way can help create emotional and cognitive space, which helps us stay grounded, focused, and regulated. One quick strategy is to take three long, deep, nourishing breaths—breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then, you let your breath settle into its own rhythm as you follow it in and out, noticing the rise and fall of your chest and belly as you breathe. If you find that you have a wandering mind or negative thoughts, simply return to the breath.
  • Be patient with yourself. ‘Tis the season for self-judgment! Instead, engage in self-compassion during the holiday season. Can you talk to yourself gently instead of critically? Aspire to go into the holiday season with the intention of accepting your mistakes, pains, and tender places. Engage in self-nurturing practices: a bubble bath, soft music, scented candles, and a favourite tea. Is there a way you can remember to practice kind words to yourself? A reminder note on your calendar? Perhaps buy an advent calendar for yourself, and every day in December, as you open that little door, you can remind yourself to be kind!
  • Stay connected and seek support. When we feel sad or overburdened, we often isolate or avoid others, which can add to our burden. Ensure that you are connected with others and seek support if needed. Getting things out in the open can help you manage your feelings and find solutions for your stress. If you continue to feel overwhelmed, consider seeing a professional, such as a mental health counsellor, to help you manage your holiday stress. In Brandon and surrounding Westman area, the 24-hour crisis line number is 204- 725-4411, or you can call toll-free at 1-888-379-7699.

By Anastasia Gibson, Ph.D., C. Psych
Registered Psychologist, Prairie Mountain Health

Mental Health Week May 6-12, 2024

Mental Health Week May 6-12, 2024

Canadian Mental Health Association recognizes May 6 to 12th, 2024, as Mental Health Week. We all can be compassionate and know that doing so can make an enormous difference. This year’s Mental Health Week is centred on the healing power of compassion. In a world plagued by suffering, we emphasize that kindness is equally intrinsic to our humanity. Compassion goes beyond acknowledging pain; it’s about embracing our shared humanity and actively caring for ourselves and those around us. Unlike empathy, compassion is more than understanding – it’s rooted in action, a resounding call to practice kindness.

The Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Committee will be promoting amazing Mental Health Week activities planned by partner organizations in several ways:

  • A regional campaign to schools was created and shared broadly with the invitation to participate in Mindful Moments. These brief messages and information with option exercises or quotes can be shared in a classroom setting, general assembly, or morning announcements. Though they only take a few minutes, they can foster a greater understanding of personal mental health and compassion.  
  • Creative Reflections, a Mental Wellness Suicide Prevention project, was created to work on reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and illness by creating an invitation for individuals to share their stories. We put forward an expression of interest form in 2023 and are now beginning to work with interested artisans to gather their pieces. This project was open to all: artwork, sculptures, photography, poetry, music, and short stories, all eligible to be part of the Creative Expressions Exhibit in the Fall. Stay tuned for more details to come!
    • As part of this project, we offer two in-person creation workshops during Mental Health Week. One will take place in Dauphin on May 6 and the other in Ste. Rose on May 8. Individuals will be introduced to the idea of expressing themselves via art and invited to engage in creating their self-portraits in a creative way. Engaging in art activities has been shown to reduce stress, lower anxiety levels, and improve mood.
  • The Dauphin HERO club will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year! A celebration event is planned during Mental Health Week on Wednesday, May 8, from
    11 am to 2 pm. Born out of a desire for a healthy community for people recovering from mental health struggles, the HERO club – which stands for Helping Everyone Reach Out – has demonstrated how empathy and compassion can create a healthy and safe space where people can flourish.
  • Keep an eye out for posters from The Canadian Mental Health Association. Titled “A Call to be Kind,” these posters present the challenge to connect with others through compassion and will direct you to CMHA Manitoba’s website for further resources and information. CMHA will also hold a free online presentation on “Radical Acceptance and Self-Compassion” at noon on Friday, May 10. E-mail [email protected] to receive the Zoom link for this presentation.

Whether it’s lending a listening ear, offering a helping hand, or simply being there for someone in need, every act of kindness matters. In a world where kindness sometimes takes a backseat to busyness, it’s important to remember the impact that even small acts of kindness can have. By spreading kindness, we make a positive difference in the lives of others and also nourish our souls.

As we celebrate Mental Health Week, honour the HERO club’s legacy, and anticipate the Creative Reflections exhibit, let’s recommit ourselves to spreading kindness wherever we go. Together, let’s create a world where compassion and creativity flourish and everyone feels valued and supported on their journey toward healing and wholeness.