A Recap of Mental Health Awareness Month 2024 with Southwest Counselling Services
A Recap of Mental Health Awareness Month 2024 with Southwest Counselling Services
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and last month, the Southwest Counselling Services team dedicated itself to raising awareness, offering support, and fostering conversations about mental health in our community. From educational workshops and collaboration opportunities to expanding our own capabilities to further support the southwestern Ontario region, we’ve been proactive in our mission to prioritize mental well-being. Join us as we recap the impactful activities and initiatives undertaken during this important month of advocacy and understanding.
Our First Events in Our New Group Space
Our new group space was completed just in time for May 1st! This project was done in collaboration with Artopia (interior design) MGM Development & Consulting (renovations) and BC Blinds Design with the blinds. Stay tuned for more information about how you can engage with us in this new space.
With the space being completed, we were able to host our first workshop with the brilliant naturopathic doctor Dr. Mason Bresett from The Health Creation Lab. He shared his insights on the connection between your gut health and mental wellness.
The space also featured these great events by Southwest Counselling team members:
- Yoga For Stress Relief with Michele McPherson, our first yoga session in the new space;
- Parent Engagement: Supporting Our Kids with Dawn Whalls and Erin Lyon, leading great insight and discussion around how to support our kids and their mental health; and
- Coming Home to Ourselves: A Healing Journey with Rachael Fowler, where she shared some profound wisdom on how to develop a positive and supportive relationship with yourself.
Sarnia Sting Development Camp
Our own Matt Barnes made a quick trip over to the Sarnia Sting Development Camp to share insights on how mental wellness and health forms for the foundation for sustainable mental performance.
Mens Mental Health Discussions
We were proud to support and engage with the panel discussion ‘From The Barstool: Men Speaking Up About Mental Health’, hosted at Imperial City Brew House and featuring three amazing speakers: Brian White, Doug McCurdy and Chris Dobbelaar.
In partnership with Phoenix Crossfit, we also hosted ‘Muscle for Men’s Mental Health’. It featured a conversation about men’s mental wellness through education and was followed by a workout led by Jeff Jordan.
Innovation and Mental Wellness
The month wrapped up with a final stop at Lambton College for their Tech Innovation Week, where Matt Barnes shared how virtual reality is being used to treat anxiety, PTSD, phobias and build relaxation and grounding tools for clients.
That’s a Wrap
It was an incredible month for the Southwest Counselling team. Thank you to our community and partners for joining us in building awareness through discussion and experiences on the importance of mental wellness. With a new space and exciting new modalities and support opportunities being introduced at Southwest Counselling Services, as well as an expanded geographic area (check out our Tillsonburg location), we look forward to supporting your mental wellness journey not just in May, but year-round.