The Moose Jaw branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) wants to remind the city’s residents that peer support, mental wellness strategy education, and other mental health supports are available.
The CMHA Moose Jaw branch is at 326 High St. W in Moose Jaw. Those curious about their programs can contact them at 306-692-4240 and [email protected]. Staff are always ready to talk, and whether a program runs sometimes depends on how many people express interest in it.
“We focus on a couple of areas at this office, and those are advocacy and public education, and also on peer support and vocational support,” explained Dusti Hennenfent, acting branch director at CMHA Moose Jaw.
“Our peer support is designed around people who have lived experience with mental health concerns, and who has worked hard and are well on their way to recovery and now want to support others having similar struggles.”
Hennenfent clarified that the CMHA does not provide clinical relationships. The office has many mental health resource packages available, however, and can direct clients who need clinical treatment to appropriate resources, such as Moose Jaw Family Services and their Rapid Access Counselling program.
“We have a variety of offerings, so, for example, Monday nights we have our Coffee and Connection group, which happens out in the community. That’s focused on people being able to have social interactions and develop relationships.
“We have a Tuesday Lunch Bytes program, with the Come Together program that follows it. Lunch Bytes is a podcast offered by HOPE Learning Centre, which is an educational program by the Saskatchewan division of the CMHA. And then afterwards, the Come Together group will stay and talk about the podcast, or other things people want to address.”
On Wednesdays, weather permitting, volunteer facilitator Lindsey Fortin meets program participants in front of the Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL) from 1 to 2 p.m. for a walk through Crescent Park.
Finally, on Thursday nights, the CMHA Moose Jaw office hosts a Dungeons and Dragons session from 6 to 8 p.m., a program that often alternates with a Creative Writers Group.
“The D&D group are fantastic to work with, they’re so good to newcomers,” Hennenfent noted. “Sometimes, it can feel a little intimidating, but they make the game simple and do short, single-session campaigns that allow people to participate. … And the creative writers’ group, people come in to do different exercises and learn new writing techniques, and different ways to express themselves through their writing.”
CMHA Moose Jaw also facilitates peer support groups for Occupational Stress Injuries (OSI), particularly focused on first responders or service providers who work in traumatic environments. There is a vocational program targeted at helping people who have struggled with their mental health find and keep fulfilling employment, programs for young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, mental health first aid training, friendship-forming skills training, and more.
The office struggled through the pandemic, causing several programs, like the autism groups, to be temporarily discontinued. Hennenfent said that as people express interest and activity increases, they’ll be able to run those programs more regularly.
“One thing I always want to say is that while we do receive some government funding, getting support from our local community always really benefits us and allows us to continue offering valuable services here,” Hennenfent added.
To donate to CMHA Moose Jaw, go to their website and click ‘How you can help’ at moosejaw.cmha.ca. The website also has an events calendar, mental health resources, a listing of crisis lines, and program descriptions.
