CMHA HKPR Partners with Local Artist to Create a Mural Representing Inclusive Mental Health Care

In partnership with local artist Mickaela Baker, the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) unveiled a new mural at the George Street office entrance on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

The goal with the new mural is to create a more welcoming and inclusive space for those seeking mental health support, says CMHA HKPR.

“We know that the physical environment plays a critical role in how people feel when they reach out for help,” said Ellen Watkins, CMHA HKPR CEO. “This project is about more than art, it’s about creating a space that feels safe, inclusive and supportive.”

“The mural will act as a symbol of knowledge, hope and belonging, reinforcing CMHA HKPR’s commitment to making decisions guided by the needs and voices of the people we serve,” said CMHA HKPR in a press release. “By partnering with local artists, we aim to strengthen our connections to our community and demonstrate that we strive to listen to, learn from and truly see the people we support as a mental health organization.”

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Youth Mental Health Awareness an Emphasis For Third Annual Harmony for Healing's Fundraising Concert On Feb. 19

Harmony for Healing has announced the third consecutive year of its annual event with ‘Power of Love: Voices of Youth’ as a locally produced mental health awareness campaign and live concert fundraiser to be held at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Feb. 19.

(From left to right) Wade Hamblin; ReMax Hallmark Eastern Realty; Callie Lorente, CMHA HKPR Manager of Integrated Crisis Services; Phillip Jolicoeur, Harmony for Healing Founder and Caitlin O’Connor, musician. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s initiative places an even stronger focus on youth mental health, connection and hope. Harmony for Healing creator and producer Phillip Jolicoeur had his mother pass away from suicide in 2022, with the event serving as a tribute to her.

“Harmony for Healing started as a way to turn pain into purpose,” he said. “This year feels especially close to the heart as we lift up youth voices and remind them they matter, they are heard, and they are not alone. These stories and moments are created locally by people who truly care.”

Harmony for Healing has raised over $29,000 to date, including $15,744 raised last year alone, toward its five-year goal of $50,000. All proceeds support the Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention Program (AOSP) through CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, providing life-saving support to individuals and families in crisis.

The event has sold out in the first two iterations, which blend music with meaningful conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.

This year’s awareness campaign centres on stories from local youth, sharing their lived mental health experiences through a professionally produced video series.

@ptbo_canada Harmony for Healing returns for its third consecutive year with a youth-centred mental health awareness campaign and live concert Power of Love: Voices of Youth 💜 #ptbocanada #peterboroughontario #mentalhealth ♬ Vittra - Kasbo

The youth are involved through:

• Production and behind the scenes roles

• Youth storytelling and creative contributions

• Volunteer opportunities

• Live show participation

• Collaboration with up and coming local youth artists

‘Power of Love’ celebrates iconic 1980s anthems performed by 100 percent local musicians, creating an atmosphere of connection, compassion, and community.

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Tebey Golf Classic Donates $34,000 to Youth Mental Health In Peterborough

Through funds from the 2025 Tebey Golf Classic on June 26 at Wildfire Golf Course, the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) has donated $34,000 to youth mental health services in the Peterborough area.

Photo courtesy of gphsf.

As co-beneficiaries of the Tebey Golf Classic, Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter for Youth and Families each received $17,000 to continue their work supporting youth in the community. 

Since the event’s inception in 2017, over $280,000 has been raised to support youth mental health in the Peterborough area.

Photo courtesy of gphsf.

GPHSF says it looks forward to another successful fundraiser next year, marking the 10th anniversary of the Tebey Golf Classic.

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City of Peterborough Recognizing Mental Health Week Running May 5-11

The City of Peterborough has recognized Mental Health Week, which runs from May 5 to 11.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Mayor Jeff Leal has released a statement regarding the week:

“Mental health affects all of us—our families, our friends, our workplaces, and our communities. Whether we are facing challenges ourselves or supporting someone else, it's important to remember that help is available, recovery is possible, and no one should have to struggle alone.

Mental Health Week is a time to raise awareness about these issues while reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health and well-being. 

'This year’s theme, ‘Unmasking Mental Health,”’ emphasizes the importance of connection, compassion and community support. By talking openly about mental health, listening without judgment, and ensuring access to the resources people need, we can help create a healthier and more supportive Peterborough for everyone. 

I want to thank all the mental health professionals, advocates, caregivers, and community members who work every day to support the mental wellness of others. Let’s continue to stand together, speak up, and support one another—not just this week, but all year long.”

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Harmony for Healing Announces Second Benefit Concert ‘Wish You Were Here' For Suicide and Mental Health Awareness

Harmony for Healing has announced the return of its annual event, ‘Wish You Were Here,’ a benefit concert dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, announced at The El(P) on Wednesday morning.

(From left to right) Wade Hamblin; ReMax Hallmark Eastern Realty; Ellen Watkins CMHA HKPR CEO; Phillip Jolicoeur, Harmony for Healing Founder and Tracy Graham, CMHA HKPR Director of Programs and Services. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The concert is part of Harmony for Healing’s goal of raising $50,000 over five years to provide critical mental health resources. It will be held on Feb. 20 at Market Hall Performing Centre and is meant to transport people back to the sounds of the 1970s.

The goal is to raise at least $10,000 to support the life-saving Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention program.

“I've ran hundreds of events and there's always community support on some level but for Harmony for Healing last year and then again this year, the amount of people that jump on (not just the support, the cause and the initiative) have their own stories to share is really what thrives an event like this,” said Phillip Jolicouer, Harmony for Healing founder. “Businesses and supports can align themselves with mental health because we're all dealing with it so it means a lot to me more than just the financial aspect.”

Last year's sold-out concert, ‘Spirit In the Sky’ raised $13,500 on Feb. 22 at Market Hall Performing Centre.

Joilcouer says this year, he wanted to amplify his mission through a four-pillar approach.

His four pillars of impact approach are as follows:

1. Awareness: Shedding light on mental health challenges and suicide prevention through personal stories and signs to watch for.

2. Prevention: Empowering our community with tools to foster mental resilience, strengthen support networks, and promote access to mental health resources.

3. Intervention: Sharing guidance on what to do when someone is in immediate crisis, including local support options and crisis hotlines.

4. Post-Vention: Supporting survivors and those impacted by suicide through grief counselling, support groups, and outreach.

Jolicouer’s mother had unexpectedly taken her own life on Nov. 30 and the series of shows is a tribute to her memory.

“My mom loved people. She loved local music and music in general,” explained Jolicouer. “You could see her front row in any of the local venues around town so my connection to her with this was to make a local event to hire local musicians, put on a phenomenal rock concert that I could picture my mom where I could picture her up front dancing and enjoying herself and bringing a message that you're not alone. I want to spread that as loud as possible and through music.”

Registration for the event can be found online.

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Peterborough Petes General Manager Wins Award

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has awarded Petes GM and vice-president of Operations Mike Oke with the 2024 Naresh James Champion of Mental Health Award.

Photo supplied by peterborough petes

The annual award recognizes an individual who has championed, critical challenges, pioneered initiatives and achieved lasting impacts in support for those who live with mental health issues.

CMHA HKPR’s Jack Veitch nominated Oke for the award, citing his dedication to the work on the OHL’s Talk Today Program as well as his commitment to the mental health of his players and staff.

The award was presented at Wednesday's CMHA HKPR Annual General Meeting.

“Mike Oke transformed the Peterborough Petes' approach to mental health and wellness,” said Veitch. “In 2013, he and the Petes partnered with the CMHA to pilot the 'Talk Today' program, which became a national movement in Canadian junior hockey.”

“We piloted the Talk Today program in 2013 after the initiative was brought to us by Dave and Heather Pogue,” Oke added. “We were the first team to implement the program with our players and staff here in Peterborough, it then became mandatory in the entire CHL, growing to involve other junior hockey leagues in Canada.”

Oke noted they know of at least one situation where the work of the team’s support staff has had direct life saving impact in the community.

“These individuals work very closely with our players and staff daily to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health,” Oke said.

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Peterborough County Hubs Program Expands

The Peterborough County Hubs Program is now offering drop-in services in Millbrook, Havelock, Apsley and Norwood.

Peterborough county logo

The new drop-in service, which started on Tuesday, gives rural residents access to supports related to health care, mental health, addictions, employment, developmental services, housing, income, senior services and more within their home community.

"The expansion of the Peterborough County Hubs Program is an important step in ensuring that all Peterborough City-County residents, no matter where they live, have easy access to the services and supports they need, said Peterborough city councillor Alex Bierk. “By bringing these services closer to home, we are removing barriers for communities across the region and making sure that residents can get help with everything from health care to employment services.”

The drop-in program has opened new hubs in several locations:

• Millbrook Hub at Old Millbrook School - open Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Havelock Hub at Havelock Community Care office - open Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Apsley Hub at Apsley Community Care office - open first and third Wednesday of each month 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Norwood Hub at Asphodel-Norwood Township Office - open Thursdays 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The program is a collaboration between the City/County Social Services administered by the City of Peterborough, Canopy Support Services, Canadian Mental Health Association - Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge and Fleming CREW and Academic Upgrading.

A staff person from of the agencies will be at the hubs when the open for drop-in service.

The program builds on the existing Peterborough County Hubs Program that has nine locations across the county in Keene, Warsaw, Douro, Buckhorn, Lakefield, Millbrook, Havelock, Apsley and Norwood.

“Last year, I was proud to be at the launch of the eight Peterborough County Hubs which provided bookable space for social service providers to meet with clients,” said warden Bonnie Clark. “Local clients will now have the convenience to drop-in during office hours and not have to book an appointment. This pilot project brings social services access for our rural and small urban communities closer to parity with larger urban centres.”

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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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