Mental Health Awareness Week

May 1-7, 2023

Come celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week with us! 

Collectively and individually, we have multiple layers and stories that make us who we are and while each year 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness or mental health issue, 5 in 5 of us - that's all people - have mental health. 

We all have different, yet equally valuable stories which can be used to share one key message: universal mental health care is important and needed now! 

Thanks to our sponsors and collaborators for helping to make this week happen! Check out our poster here! 

Scroll down to see the detailed descriptions and related registration links.

Note: Caregiver Burnout and Self Care Talk has been rescheduled to Thursday, instead of Monday. 

MHW FB and Website Graphic

MONDAY, MAY 1:

Title
Time
Location
Registration Link
Cost
Seniors on the Bow Movie & Panel Discussion
1-4pm
Seniors on the Bow, SLS Centre, 800 Griffin Rd, Second floor
Drop-in
Free
We invite the community to come together to watch “A Man Called Otto” with a panel discussion of local professionals and context experts afterwards. Snacks provided. Note: this movie contains mature themes including suicide, 18+

Wee-All Play Group
1:30-2:45pm
Family Resource Network, 
127 Frist Ave W
Drop-in
Free
Stepping Stones to Mental Health will be dropping by to do a sensory activity for kids and their parents at the Wee-all group. Ages 0-6yrs, parented.


TUESDAY, MAY 2:

Title
Time
Location
Registration Link
Cost

Community Lunch
12-1pm
St. Andrew's United Church, 
128 First Str E
Drop-in
Free
A free and wholesome lunch in a safe and welcoming place. All are welcome. Our guests include seniors, business people, moms with young children, and our Indigenous neighbours.

Kintsugi Art Project Teaching Self-Compassion to Teens
3:30-5pm
BGC The Club, 
3, 204 Fifth Ave W
Drop-in
Free
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing with gold. As this Japanese tradition is rooted in tea (repairing teacups), we will offer tea to youth during the activity. This activity was created to share the importance of celebrating flaws and imperfections. Traditionally, this activity uses cracked or broken pottery. We will be instead creating a canvas or paper piece of art (instead of broken pottery).  Facilitated by Kelvin from Stepping Stones for Mental Health. Ages 13-18 yrs.

Mom's Paint Night
5-7pm
Family Resource Network, 
127 Frist Ave W
Free
For mental health week, please join us for a night of fun, creativity, and relaxation. Enjoy refreshments and connect with other moms in our community. Mom's only please!


WEDNESDAY, MAY 3:

Title
Time
Location
Registration Link
Cost
Healing Through Art
6:30-8:30pm
Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery, 
18, 312 Fifth Ave
Free

Mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common types of mental health challenges and have far ranging impacts on daily living. Whether you experience anxiety or know someone who does, this informative workshop allows participants to learn strategies, experience art techniques, explore and play in a non-threatening setting. These tools can be applied across a broad spectrum of situations. No art experience is necessary.

Cindy Zampa is an artist, educator, counsellor and art therapist (retired) with a passion for making healing through art as accessible as possible.  


THURSDAY, MAY 4:

TitleTimeLocationRegistration LinkCost
Community Helpers Program - How to Help
9am-12pm

Cochrane FCSS, HomeStead Apartment Bldg., 
209 Second Ave W 
Free 

Learn how to support your friends and family with mental-emotional stressors and the local resources we have in Cochrane. Minimum 4. Maximum 15. 18yrs+

Play N' Learn Preschool9:30-10:45am
Family Resource Network, 
127 Frist Ave W
Drop-inFree
Join us at Play N' Learn Preschool for an emotion filled morning. We will be doing an emotion themed craft, story time and songs! Ages 3-5yrs, parented. 

Caregiver Burnout and Self Care Talk & Activity 
6-7:30pm

Cochrane Public Library, 
405 Railway Str


Free

This FREE session will provide information on burnout, managing stress, and includes a gardening activity. We will discuss the importance of self-care; taking care of your emotional, mental, and physical health. Potting our plants will act as a metaphor for taking care of ourselves as we make a commitment to take care of yourself. When we care for ourselves, we are able to better care for others. Facilitated by Kelvin from Stepping Stones for Mental Health. 18+yrs

Guys Night Out
6:30-8:30pm

Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery, 
18, 312 Fifth Ave
 Minimum 4, Maximum 16
Free

Come on out for a 2-hour social interaction and learn how to carve soapstone while we discuss current issues we face together, as men! Soapstone carving gives you two hours in which you can slow down, reconnect with yourself, reconnect with your creativity while meeting new people and have a say in building a supportive, learning, active men’s group.

Michael Emery is a neurodivergent individual with a unique perspective to empower creativity, foster connection, wellness, and balance in people's lives. He has a unique ability to hold a safe and brave space for people to reconnect with themselves in a meaningful and growth-oriented way.

 Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks provided.

Guys only please. No soapstone experience required. 18yrs+


FRIDAY, MAY 5:

TitleTimeLocationRegistration LinkCost
Youth Night6-8pm
Cochrane Public Library, 
405 Railway Str
Drop-inFree
Grade 9-12 teens REJOICE!  TEEN NIGHT TAKEOVER is here! Have your say in what programming you want to enjoy and we will make it happen. Games, activities, crafts, movies, fun challenges, and more! Did we mention PIZZA?!

CANCELLED - Youth Drop-in Night
SLS Centre,
800 Griffin Rd E


We Are Cochrane7-9pmFound Bookstore,
208 First Str W		https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-are-cochrane-tickets-596212426417$15+fees
This We Are Cochrane is in partnership with Mental Health Awareness Week so each speaker will be sharing the impact of Mental Health on their lives. The audience can expect to get real and raw with the people that make up this incredible town. They share their heartfelt accounts of hardship and triumph, grief and joy, difficult learning curves, deep insights and how community played a part in the process. 18yrs+


SATURDAY, MAY 6:

TitleTimeLocationRegistration LinkCost
Hangin' with Dad9:30-10:45am
Family Resource Network, 
127 Frist Ave W
Drop-inFree

During mental health week, connect, explore and engage with your child and other dads in your community. Join us for play, crafts and circle time. Dads only please.


Trade Fair10am-5pmSLS Centre,
800 Griffin Rd E		Drop-in

Under 12yrs FREE
$2 for 13yrs+
$5 for families


Garden Sprouts1-2:15pm
Family Resource Network, 
127 Frist Ave W
Drop-in

Free
In collaboration with Mental Health Week, come and create a magical fairy garden to bring you peace and serenity. Delight in some fairy treats and we will finish the group with songs, rhymes and some breathing exercises. Ages 0-6yrs, parented. 

Picnic and Pan, Community Connection Event12-2pmCochrane Ranche,
Off Highway 1A, near Highway 22
Drop-inFree
Come enjoy the great outdoors and listen to live music with your family and community members. Bring along a lunch to eat, or come as you are to this open-to-all event. Weather permitting, this is an excellent time to connect during Mental Health Week in Cochrane while enjoying the sounds of live steel drum music!

Family Drop-in Art1:30-4:30pm
Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery, 
18, 312 Fifth Ave
Drop-inFree
Craft a pint-size comfort box compact enough to fit in your pocket. Using art as a medium to support your mental health, create a self-compassionate coping strategy to carry when you need comfort. No artistic skills are required, just a willingness to explore creatively in the free, family-friendly art-therapy activity. 

Christy Herdman is a compassionate, creative spirit—both a problem solver and artist—an easygoing, kid-at-heart, and a certified art therapist. Christy uses art to empower kids (and kids-at-heart) to develop the emotional skills necessary for building resilience. All ages welcome. Children under 18yrs must be accompanied by an adult.

Smudge and Medicine Wheel2-3:30pm
St. Andrew's United Church, 
128 First Str E

www.cochrane.ca/programguide

Drop-ins welcome if space available. 		Free 
Join Chantal Chagnon, a Cree / Métis Singer, Drummer, Artist, Storyteller, and Educator as she shares the teachings, stories, history and science behind Smudging and the Medicine Wheel.All ages welcome. Children under the age of 18yrs must be accompanied by an adult.


SUNDAY, MAY 7:

TitleTimeLocationRegistration LinkCost
Trade Fair10am-4pmSLS Centre,
800 Griffin Rd E		Drop-inUnder 12yrs FREE
$2 for 13yrs+
$5 for families

Community Drum Circle2-3:30pmBGC Main, 
111 Fifth Ave W

https://www.cochrane.ca/programguide

 Drop-ins welcome if space available.
Minimum 10, Maximum 25

Free
We invite Cochranites to come together for a multicultural, multigenerational drum circle. Marilyn is a certified drum circle facilitator who enjoys bringing people together through the rhythm of the drums. Drums provided. No experienced required

All ages welcome. Children under the age of 18yrs must be accompanied by an adult.


Other Events Happening This Week/Month:

  • Mindful Walk & Talk Signs along Riverfront Park (This week)
  • All PM (12-8pm) Drop in Classes at SLS Centre, Free (Yoga & Fitness - This week)
    Free-Mental Health Week Classes: Drop-in Schedules | SLS Centre (activecommunities.com
  • BGC The Club - drop-in 2-6pm, Mon-Fri (This week) 
  • EmpowerMINT ice cream at MacKay's Ice Cream. Proceeds are going to the Kids Help Phone. (For Month of May)
  • Youth Art Out Loud Exhibit for Mental Health at Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery (For Month of May)