GoFundMe Created For Local Teen Struggling With Mental Health To Get Therapy Dog

Local teen Payge Creasy has community support behind her to get a therapy dog for her mental health as donors are contributing to cover the costs in a GoFundMe created last Thursday.

GoFundMe photo.

The GoFundMe was created by her aunt Candice Williamson with a goal of $4,500 to pay for the therapy dog named Kyle. He is supposed to help Creasy during her panic attacks and other episodes when she is suffering from her mental health according to the Williamson on the GoFundMe. It continues to say that Creasy has suffered from mental health issues for the past few years including a six-week inpatient stay.

Alternatively, another fundraising effort on Sipology was created by Krystal C Daskewich, another one of Creasey’s aunts, entitled, ‘Paws For Payge.’ Roughly 40 per cent of the proceeds from the tea and tea accessory sales go towards Cresey’s campaign.

The teen was also an entrepreneur, selling handmade bath products with her company ‘Payge’s Paradise’ which began back in April 2019. Her handmade, chemical-free bath products include body butter, body scrubs, shower steamers, bath salts and candles.

Both fundraisers say that only money is holding the teen back from being able to get Kyle and help her cope with her mental health better.

The GoFundMe has already raised $855 of its $4,500 goal since the publication of this article.

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CMHA HKPR’s Change the Cycle Event Raises Over $40,000 for Garden Homes

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge’s (CMHA HKPR’s) first-ever Change the Cycle event raised over $40,000 for the Garden Homes project on June 24.

photo courtesy of cmha hkpr.

The event took place at at Nicholls Oval with over 60 cyclists and volunteers.

“We would like to sincerely thank our sponsors, riders, and donors for making our first Change the Cycle event our most successful cycling fundraiser to date,” says Jack Veitch, manager of community engagement and education with CMHA HKPR.

In years past, CMHA HKPR participated in a nation-wide cycling fundraising event but this year, with the goal of keeping all the money right here in our community, we launched our own cycling fundraiser.

photo courtesy of cmha hkpr.

The fundraising kicked off with a generous donation of $25,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. Klusterfork Entertainment also donated proceeds from their most recent production, ‘Schools Out,’ to the event.

The funds will support the new Garden Homes Project, an initiative of CMHA HKPR’s Supportive Housing program, which aims to support vulnerable individuals who are at risk of homelessness in the Peterborough area by providing affordable, small homes.

For more information, visit the website.

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CMHA HKPR Now Accepting Nominations for Community Mental Health Awards and Annual Tam Grant Bursary

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is now accepting nominations for the Annual Community Mental Health Awards and Tam Grant Bursary.

photo by samantha bianco.

Staff are encouraged to nominate someone who is deserving of recognition for their efforts in improving mental health in the community, including volunteers, community leaders, individuals with lived experience of mental illness and their family members.

CMHA HKPR invites applications for the annual Tam Grant Bursary for students entering post-secondary education with a diagnosed mental illness.

The deadline for award and bursary submissions is 4:30 p.m. on June 23.

CMHA HKPR is calling for submissions for the following awards:

• The Achievement Through Adversity Award honours a client of CMHA HKPR services, or a survivor of mental illness, who has shown continued courage and tenacity in reaching their goals. In education, employment, volunteering, or through the tasks of daily living, this individual is a role model for others on the journey to a healthy life.

• The Maurice Lovnes Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have volunteered with CMHA HKPR, and who have exemplified the following traits during the year: Vision, Dedication, Caring, Support and Commitment.

• Caregiver Champion Award honours a family member or caregiver who has shown continued support to a person living with mental health concerns.

• Naresh James Award recognizes an individual who has championed critical issues, pioneered initiatives, and has achieved lasting impacts in support of those who live with mental health issues, as well as assisting their families and friends. This individual has demonstrated commitment to support individuals who live with mental health challenges through their leadership, advocacy, and perseverance. 

• Champion of Mental Health – CMHA HKPR acknowledges individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the community by supporting mental health. These contributions should support Knowledge, Hope and Belonging: the three pillars that form the foundation of our organization to enable Mental Health for All.

• Tam Grant Bursary – Access to educational programs is one way for individuals living with schizophrenia or other serious and persistent mental illnesses to realize their own potential. The Tam Grant Memorial Bursary seeks to encourage and support these individuals as they pursue higher education.

Tam Grant Bursary details: Bursaries are awarded each year at our Annual Meeting for registration for the upcoming school year. The maximum amount awarded annually is $1,000.  Applicants must be residents of the Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge areas (HKPR). For this year’s Tam Grant Memorial Bursary application visit their website.

Successful nominees and applicants will be presented with their award or bursary at the CMHA HKPR Annual Meeting, which will be held on Sept. 23 at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club in Peterborough. Nomination forms for the awards can be found online.

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Canadian Mental Health Association Teams Up With Peterborough Petes for Talk Today Game Night

The Peterborough Petes and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) are teaming up to host Talk Today Night during the Petes home game against the Windsor Spitfires Thursday night.

photo courtesy of the peterborough petes.

The game, presented by Syngenta and Grain Farmers of Ontario, will take place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Feb. 23 at 7:05 p.m. and will feature:

• CMHA and Grain Farmers of Ontario tables in the concourse handing out information about Talk Today

• Player content relating to Talk Today to be played and shared at the PMC on gameday

• PA and video board announcements

• A pre-game ceremony and a puck drop featuring representatives from CMHA and Grain Farmers of Ontario

Launched by CMHA Ontario in 2014 in partnership with the OHL, the Talk Today program has grown to become one of the most comprehensive sport mental health programs in Canada. Through Talk Today, CMHA branches across Ontario have been teaming up with their local OHL teams to educate and support their players on mental health and suicide prevention.

“The Talk Today program is an essential piece to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging players to access mental health support when needed. I’m proud to know the Talk Today program started here in Peterborough and to have been a part of it since it’s inception,” says Jack Veitch, manager of community engagement and education.

“Now, more than ever, it is important to talk about mental health; especially in sport. Game night’s like Talk Today provide a platform to speak about mental health and we’re proud to partner with CMHA, Syngenta, and Grain Farmers of Ontario to spread this important messaging and keep the conversation moving forward,” says Adam King, director of marketing with the Petes.

Tickets for the game are available by clicking here, or by contacting the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office in person or at (705) 743-3561.

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CMHA HKPR Launches New Mobile Wellness Clinic ‘The Road Ahead’

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has launched a new Mobile Wellness Clinic, ‘The Road Ahead’ Thursday morning at a media conference in Lakefield.

photo courtesy of The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge.

During the conference, media and dignitaries had the opportunity to tour and take photo and video of the new clinic as well as meet with the team and ask questions regarding how this innovative new service will benefit rural communities across the region.

CMHA HKPR’s ‘The Road Ahead’ Mobile Wellness Clinic operates out of two vehicles and supports individuals who may have difficulty accessing services by bringing a full range of mental health and addictions supports to rural and remote areas across Peterborough County, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. The program provides counselling and therapy, support with addictions and substance use, mental health education, medication support and access to other services such as psychiatry.

It was determined that to serve the rural communities across the region, the clinic requires two vehicles. One vehicle was funded through the support of the Government of Ontario.

"We know that the ability to connect to care, close to home impacts patients’ success rates, particularly when it concerns mental health and addictions. That’s why these Mobile Wellness Clinics are so vital. They help those on a path to wellness connect with the programs they need, where and when they need them,” says Hon. Michael Tibollo, associate minister of mental health and addictions.

For the past year, CMHA HKPR fundraised $300,000 to purchase the second clinic vehicle.

Both vehicles have been designed to meet the specific needs of the clinic, and thanks to support of local marketing company Outpost 379, the vehicles have also been branded with a creative and inspiring design. The design was chosen to be welcoming and positive and isn’t specific to mental health or addictions, taking into consideration the stigmas that still surround mental health and addictions and the barriers that they may cause.

For more information on The Road Ahead, visit the website.

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Mental Health and Addictions Program ‘Moving Beyond Addiction’ Opens in Peterborough

Right to Heal, a local not-for-profit organization, will run ‘Moving Beyond Addiction’ and Redpath programs over a 16-month period announced Monday.

From left to right: Randy Mellow, chief of Peterborough County-City paramedics; Dave Smith, member of Provincial parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha; Peggy Shaughnessy, Whitepath Consulting founder and president; Tim Farquharson, acting Peterborough Police chief; David Smith, member of Provincial parliament for Scarborough Centre; and the Hon. Michael Tibollo, Minister for mental health and addictions. Photo by Felicia Massey.

Through a $367,480 investment from the Government of Ontario, 320 people in the community will receive the program’s services.

Clients will undergo an evidence-based assessment once referred to determine the correct treatment for their needs. The assessment will consider multiple variables including trauma, abuse, domestic violence, housing status, financial situation and severity of the substance abuse. Once the assessment is complete they will enter into one-on-one counselling and/or the Redpath Intervention program.

Redpath programs use a combination of clinical and cultural approaches while focusing to create a healthy mind, body and spirit.

The intervention program consists of 21 three-hour-long counselling and training sessions in both community and institutional settings. Clients will then enter an aftercare program where they will complete two hours a week of group training sessions that focus on personal development and a full reintegration back into society.

“The Redpath services bring wellness and recovery home (to Peterborough) and will add to what is currently being provided in the City”, said Peggy Shaughnessy, Whitepath Consulting founder and president. “It’s very exciting as a developer of the Redpath model to be home.”

Those referred to this program will typically be unhoused/at risk of homelessness and suffering from mental health and addiction issues. The Elizabeth Fry Society will administer the referral process, enabling the funding for the pilot to flow fully to program services. The program will also accept family and self-referrals.

Right to Heal will work in collaboration with these specific prioritized target populations:

1. Peterborough Police, Peterborough County-City Paramedics and Peterborough Regional Health Centre refer clients who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing opioid overdoses.

2. Health and social services referring clients from places such as the Consumption and Treatment Services/Opioid Response Hub, Brock Mission, Cameron House and One Roof Community Centre.

Last year, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith announced $500,000 in annual funding to expand detox services at Fourcast.

Earlier this year, the Peterborough Opioid Response Hub opened with $1,350,000 in annual funding.

“Overdose deaths continue to rise in Peterborough. It’s a crisis that affects families and loved ones across our community. It is clear that more treatment spaces are needed; we need to expand services and lower barriers of access if we want to address this crisis,” said Dave MPP Smith. “Moving Beyond Addiction will save lives. It is a proven program that will help those struggling with addiction move beyond addiction and reintegrate back into society.”

Debbie Carriere is an example of Redpath’s success, having taken the program 15 years ago.

In 2006, the mother of three worked as a psychologist at Central East Correctional Centre and was working towards her Ph.D. when she experienced a traumatic life event that would trigger trauma from her past.

Over the course of nine months after this Carriere abused substances and was arrested, eventually ending up in a psychiatric hospital in Jan. 2007. After returning to Peterborough she met Shaughnessy and began the Redpath program.

Carriere is now the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society.

“I needed help, I needed something different, and it literally saved my life,” said Carriere. “It really saved my life and it saved the lives of my children.”

Visit Ontario.ca/MentalHealth or call 2-1-1 to access help and learn more about publicly available mental health and addiction supports in Peterborough.

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Local Woman Bringing Awareness To Individuals Mental Health Through New Business Discovery Bands

Jodilynn White started Discovery Headbands after retiring from policing due to an ongoing battle with mental health, she hopes that the brand brings awareness to individuals struggling with and overcoming their own mental health conditions.

All she ever wanted to be was a police officer, that’s what White says.

She started her career as a police officer young, but soon realized there were things going on mentally that were not ok.

White was signed off work by her doctor, as she was considered a risk to herself and to her coworkers. She would soon be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, severe anxiety and major depression.

This happened in 2017 and she has not returned to work as a police officer since.

“I was trying to figure out what I could do to make myself feel accomplished,” said White. “I started making headbands. I’ve always worn headbands, I found them comforting when going through my treatments - like a security blanket.”

She says when she realized she could make them herself she thought she could use that skill to raise awareness surrounding mental illness.

Each collection of headbands is inspired by an individual with their own mental illness journey.

People are invited to submit their stories on the Discovery Headbands website and after review, white will create a collection inspired by them and launch it shortly after.

Since April 2022 White has launched two collections. One inspired by her own story and one inspired by ‘Vanessa’ who worked as a firefighter and paramedic.

Soon, White will launch a collection inspired by ‘Mark’ a military Veteran who completed a tour in Afghanistan. Mark’s collection will be for sale on Sunday.

Mark, Vanessa and Jodilynn’s full stories can be read on discoveryheadbands.com.

All collections can be viewed and purchased at discoveryheadbands.com

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4000 Rep Challenge Aims To Raise Awareness And Start Conversations About Mental Health

Peterborough local Joe Keating will host the second annual ‘4000 Rep Challenge’ to promote open and honest dialogue regarding mental health.

Joe and his daughter Alexis during last years event. Photo courtesy of Joe Keating.

In 2021 Keating started the 4000 Rep Challenge after struggling with depression his whole life.

“I saw something saying that 4000 people commit suicide every year in Canada,” said Keating. “I’ve had personal experience with suicide, I’m very open with my own mental health issues. One of the ways I help to mitigate my symptoms is through exercise.”

Keating, who is a certified kettlebell instructor, says the 4000 Reps Challenge is a way to recognize people who have taken their own lives and a way to open up conversations that may help someone from getting to that point.

“Exercise helps me overcome some of my struggles,” he said. “For me exercise combined with medication helps me with my symptoms everyday. It’s not for everyone but I would encourage everyone to exercise even 20 minutes a day to help them out. It’s like a physical meditation - if that makes any sense. It may not be the answer for everyone but it certainly can’t hurt to try.”

The challenge invites participants to join Keating virtually via Facebook on April 23, and complete 4000 reps of any physical activity.

Keating says he will start the day at 10 a.m. and complete 1000 reps per hour until 2 p.m. His daughter will join him lifting kettlebells while his other children will encourage them throughout the day. His wife plans to go for a 4 km run, then cheer Keating an his daughter on for the rest of the day and manage the Facebook group.

The 4000 Rep Challenge is not a fundraiser. Keating says he considered it, but ultimately decided to simply invite people to have a conversation and to let others struggling with their mental health know they are not alone.

Participate in the 4000 Reps Challenge by joining the Facebook group here.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $360,000 Into Mental Health and Addictions Pilot Project to Aid 320 People

The Ontario Government is funding $367,480 to non-profit organization Right to Heal for mental health and addictions services for 320 people announced at the Peterborough County-City Paramedics on Friday.

Peggy Shaughnessy, Founder and President of Whitepath Consulting (pictured) has had her organization in operation since 2005. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project, “Moving Beyond Addiction” will service over a 16-month period will use the Redpath program via Whitepath Consulting to treat addictions by using psychology-based methods to identify the reasons behind substance abuse and developing the social, emotional and practical skills to move beyond addiction and fully reintegrate back into society.

“Individuals with addictions more often than not develop addictions by using substances to either feel something or numb something. The root cause is almost always trauma; whether it’s from abuse, mental health challenges or pain,” said MPP Dave Smith. “If we are truly going to address the mental health and addictions crisis, a wide variety of treatments options need to exist locally.”

The program will work under a referral process administered by the Elizabeth Fry Society, enabling the funding for the pilot to flow fully to program services.

Clients referred to the program will typically be homeless, at-risk of homelessness, living with mental health/addictions issues and trauma, or disconnected from appropriate services.

Peterborough Police, Peterborough County-City Paramedics and Peterborough Regional Health Centre can refer clients who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing opioid overdoses.

Health and social services can refer clients from places such as the Consumption and Treatment Services/Opioid Response Hub, Brock Mission, Cameron House, and One Roof Community Centre. The program accepts family and self-referrals.

“With the recent announcement regarding the Consumption and Treatment Services funding, this funding will help expand addiction treatment services in our area and allow funding for the Redpath program that has shown great success in other areas,” said Peggy Shaughnessy, Founder and President of Whitepath Consulting.

Once referred, clients will undergo a rigorous and evidence-based assessment to determine the correct treatment for their unique needs.

The assessment will consider multiple variables to determine their needs including backgrounds of trauma, abuse, domestic violence, housing status, financial situation, and level of substance abuse.

After the assessment, they will enter into one-on-one counselling and/or the Redpath Intervention Program. It consists of 21 counselling and training sessions in three-hour spans in both community and institutional settings.

Sessions focus on identifying trauma and the cause, understanding why a client uses substances, the development of coping mechanisms and practical, emotional and social skills.

Clients will enter an After Care Program, requiring two hours on a weekly basis for group training sessions focusing on personal development and fully reintegrating back into society.

“We have had the opportunity to connect clients to the program and are witnessing firsthand the impact Redpath has. We at Elizabeth Fry can see this program coming alive through our referrals from various connections within the health care and criminal justice sectors,” said Debbie Carriere, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough. “As someone who has completed this program myself, I can truly speak to the excellent opportunity this is bringing to our community for healing.”

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#WellTogetherPTBO Campaign Raises $12,000 For CMHA HKPR New Mobile Mental Health Unit

PTBOCanada and Fresh Radio’s #WellTogetherPTBO campaign raised $12,000 to help fund Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge branch’s new mobile mental health unit.

The new mobile clinic is in the process of being launched. It will consist of two retro-fitted vehicles that will service the four counties.

“The intent is to be able to provide mental health support to people who are living remotely, facing barriers and for many reasons have not been able to access service,” said Jeff Cadence, manager of the new mobile clinic. “This is now a process of bringing that help directly to the people.”

The $12,000 donation will be put towards the purchase of a second unit, as the first one was payed for by funding from the Ontario government.

According to Cadence the vehicle will be about 36 ft. long and wheelchair accessible. Onboard will be a waiting room, a washroom and two meeting rooms where patients can meet with professionals in person or via. video chat.

Each unit will have mental health clinicians and nurses on site and will be able to provide access to psychiatry and other medical professionals through tele-conference.

The #WellTogetherPTBO campaign raised funds by selling shirts and toques. The shirts featured art by artist Jason Wilkins that was inspired by his painted mural at the PTBOCanada studio.

Leons Peterborough, Ashburnham Realty, Gauvreau Accounting, Circul Air Corp., Red X Technologies, Overtime Hockey, Fontains Source For Sports and Friendly Fires made significant contributions to this campaign.

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