CMHA Kootenays

11/04/2025

DONOR SPOTLIGHT 📣 A HUGE thank you to The Fraternal Order of the Eagles for hosting a successful Bingo fundraiser! 84 players showed up to support us and we couldn't be more thankful for all that participated.

- $377 were raised by the players
- $200 worth of donated items
- and a generous cheque of $1500 was presented from the Eagles Charity Fund!

This money will go towards our Essential Items Project! Thank you SO much, FOE!! We are incredibly grateful.

Pictured below: Joely Hug and Char Turner from CMHA and Steve Chisholm, the Eagles Charity Chairman.

10/30/2025

Thank you so much for sharing, Columbia Valley Credit Union! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed "Mental Health in the Workplace."

If your workplace or group of family/friends would like to take one of our many Mental Health workshops, please reach out for pricing!

10/07/2025

📣 DONOR SPOTLLIGHT! We want to thank Rob and Nicole Bouliane from M & R Electrical for their kindness with donating $500 to our Crisis Services program.

Our Association takes pride in the work we do to initiate conversation, education and intervention to people who are in crisis and contemplating su***de. Our Crisis Services program relies on the donations from our community to help us continue to support, educate and apply active interventions for those at risk in hopes of keeping them safe for now and connecting them to resources that will allow them to continue to stay safe.

Their support will greatly add to our mission here at CMHA.

10/01/2025

📣 DONOR SPOTLIGHT! A heartfelt thank-you to Rick & Marg Jensen Family Foundation for their generous contribution to our Essential Items Project.

Our Essential Items Project consists of putting together baskets of essential items (ex: shampoo, laundry detergent, toilet paper, deodorant & much more...) for members in our community, and in-hand improving their mental health and overall wellness.

Last year, we were able to help over 200 individuals by putting together 175 baskets. And we aim to do more this year!

CMHA Kootenays appreciates your benefaction... we could not provide this service without your unwavering support!

Pictured: Lori Bender, CMHAK's Executive Director, and Rick Jensen of the Rick and Marg Jensen Family Foundation

09/30/2025

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09/29/2025

Did you know about our Youth Outreach and Family Support Programs? This is a great, FREE resource for youth between the ages of 12-18 to seek guidance and support. Prioritizing the mental health of our youth and setting them up for success is incredibly important, and we are here to help 😊.

09/26/2025

What a wonderful resource that is being offered to our community. Thank you, Community Connections Society of Southeast BC!

We are thrilled 👏 to announce the opening of our new Community Counselling Program! We will be offering free counselling to individuals in the East Kootenays who would not otherwise be able to obtain counselling - beginning in October 2025.

This program is being run without a funding source, with counselling practicum students.

We recognize the full bursary support of Jane App Clinic Software, which we will be using for virtual appointments and online booking.

Interested individuals are encouraged to read the bios of our counsellors on our website at https://www.ccscranbrook.ca/programs/community-well-being/community-counselling-program/ and complete the pre-screening form.

Follow along as we share more about our counsellors in the coming days!

We will be accepting new counselling practicum students starting in 2026 - contact executivedirector@ccssebc.com to express your interest.

09/26/2025

📣 Donor spotlight!! A HUGE thank-you to Berry Architecture + Associates who made a matching donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays AGAIN.
CMHAK teamed up with Purcell Golf Course for a “Your Cause, Our Course” fundraiser. With the gracious support of our community, we raised $1,515 at the event, and Berry Architecture + Associates delivered the matching donation in the form of a big cheque!

Pictured: Natalie Hake, our Director of Public Education and Crisis Services, with George Berry of Berry Architecture + Associates.

09/10/2025

Be their sense of calm... 💚💙

The way we greet children after school sets the tone for the whole afternoon

After holding it together all day, they need calm connection, not a flood of questions.

Here are some simple do’s and don’ts to make pick-up smoother for everyone.

OUR TOPIC for 14 days is AFTER SCHOOL RESTRAINT COLLAPSE
NOW AVAILABLE - only £3.25 until 15 September 2025.
Introducing the After School Restraint Collapse Toolkit for Parents & Educators - link in comments.

09/08/2025

Would you, or someone you know, like to volunteer? You could be:
- a retiree wanting to spend time & talk with others
- a student who wants volunteer hours for your resume
- a teenager who wants to help the less fortunate
- a working professional who needs a healthy outlet
- a Kootenay resident who wants to avoid the fall/winter blues by connecting with others
- a good samaritan who wants to give back to our community

CMHA Kootenays has several programs for you to choose from!
Click the link below for more information and contact details!
https://kootenays.cmha.bc.ca/get-involved/

09/03/2025

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