May 13, 2024

Photo Credit: Niki Franics, City of Brantford 

By Christine Dragojlovich, Director of Services

Happy Sunny Monday, everyone!

We are thrilled to share the highlights of this year’s incredible Mental Health Week festivities! Once again, the events hosted by Woodview and other community agencies brought people together, reminding us all of the important work we do and the incredible community we are part of.

Kicking Off with a Flag Raising

The week started with the official flag raising at Harmony Square, showcasing how important mental health is to the Brantford community. The warm, sunny weather created a positive and energetic atmosphere, setting the tone for the rest of the week.

Mother Nature continued to bless us with sunshine for our Kick-Off event at Doug Snooks. The event was well attended and received fantastic feedback from both attendees and community partners. The cotton candy was a huge hit, thanks to our Brantford Autism Services team who didn’t mind getting sticky for mental health! The games, clown, music, Fortitude table, crafts, and delicious food made the event entertaining and energetic.

Celebrating Achievements with the STRIVE Awards

This year’s STRIVE awards saw more nominations than ever before. It was heartwarming to see the Woodview team presenting our clients with well-deserved achievements. The joy on the clients’ faces and their families made the night unforgettable. A special thank you to our organizing committee who ensured the evening ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all. You are all superstars!

Tuesday started with a delightful pancake breakfast and self-care tips at “Take 5 for Compassion,” hosted by Christina and Chris. It was a lovely way to offer support to caregivers in our community. The student Wellness Fair at Assumption College that afternoon was one of the busiest events of the week, with over 1,000 students attending!

Incredible Talent at Fortitude’s Event

Fortitude’s “Talent Not Required” event on Tuesday night was incredible! The emotional electricity in the air was palpable as kids of all ages wowed the audience with their talents. Congratulations to Fortitude for organizing a great event that raised funds for their initiatives and gave kids the opportunity to shine on stage.

Fun at the Six Nations Fair

Despite slightly lower temperatures, the Six Nations Fun Fair at Veterans Park on Thursday evening was a great success. This event once again proved that the Brantford community loves Mental Health Week as much as we do.

The week wrapped up with a successful closing event at the library hosted by SOAR and BCHU. With speakers, cake, and many community members, it was a great way to finish off the week.

Thank You for an Amazing Week!

Mental Health Week is my favorite week of the year, and the positive energy and incredible feedback we received reinforce the importance of the work we do, the community we serve, and the team we are part of. Thank you to everyone who hosted tables, brought clients’ families, and helped make Mental Health Week 2024 a success. You are all integral to raising awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health. Your dedication to this week, our clients, and each other is deeply appreciated.

We are incredibly grateful to our community partners, who played a crucial role in making this week possible. Together, we continue to foster connections and promote mental health awareness.

Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Branch
Nova Vita Brant
PrimaCare Community Family Health Team
Six Nations Child & Family Services
Grand River Community Health Centre
City of Brantford
County of Brant
Brantford Public Library
Brantford Police Service
Brant Community Healthcare System
Brantford Brant Norfolk Ontario Health Team
Willowbridge Community Services
Contact Brant
Wilfrid Laurier University
Community Living Brant
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
EarlyON Brantford Brant
Brant County Health Unit
Brant Mental Health Solutions
Grand Erie School Board
St. Leonard’s Community Services