Pearl is the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary.
There could not be a more fitting symbol to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Mental Health Association Hastings and Prince Edward, as the pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable.
The over 50 guests gathered at the Greek Hall in Belleville heard local dignitaries express those very sentiments in regards to the 30 years of protecting and sheltering our societies most venerable that the organization has provided for this community.
But as befitting an anniversary, gifts were given, specifically a $287,100 Grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Sandie Sidsworth, Executive Director for the CMHA, said the funding will be used to support the organizations’ first Suicide Bereavement group which is intended to give some help to those who deal with the overwhelming grief of losing a loved one to suicide. It will provide counseling service to more than 1,100 people.
“It’s a game changer in terms of providing community counselling and the outreach that we want to do, “ said Sidsworth. It means I’m not always fighting for funding to keep a part-time counsellor going.”
In addition to new groups, the individual counseling program has hired two full-time counselors.
Community counseling is very different it’s not clinical explained Sidsworth.
“We are working with the individual who is done with the acute care of their illness and are now looking to keep well, or are afraid that they might be slipping back to something that is scary for them.” said Sidsworth. “We are able to provide Saturday counseling for those that don’t have access to the 9-5 supports that they need. It gives us a chance to build a program based on needs of the people coming forward instead of top down, it’s going to be bottom up so that’s really exciting.”
But as befitting the generous spirit of this organization, 15 Community Champions for Mental Health were recognized for their work and dedication to furthering the cause of the CMHA.
“It’s all built on who is doing the anti-stigma work,” touted Sidsworth. “We hear who is being treated well when they go to different places and who is treating people maybe not with what the understanding of what mental illness is. So you have to honour those people that always step out of their comfort zone and who always try to make a difference. To be able to say thank you for what you’ve done for the clients that we both serve is huge.”
This 2016 Community Champions for Mental Health were:
Michael J. Brethour, Quinte Broadcasting
Jody Brooker, Quinte Broadcasting
Cheryl Wright, Hastings County Social Services
Quinte United Immigration Services
Andrew Murray, Hastings County Social Services
Kim Cowie-Wood, Little Caesars
Chris Sidsworth, volunteer
Eric Hargreaves, Say OUT Loud
Lohola School of Adult and Continuing Education
TLC Costruction and Landscaping
Belleville Police Services
Quinte West OPP
Prince Edward County OPP