4000 Rep Challenge Aims To Raise Awareness And Start Conversations About Mental Health

Peterborough local Joe Keating will host the second annual ‘4000 Rep Challenge’ to promote open and honest dialogue regarding mental health.

Joe and his daughter Alexis during last years event. Photo courtesy of Joe Keating.

In 2021 Keating started the 4000 Rep Challenge after struggling with depression his whole life.

“I saw something saying that 4000 people commit suicide every year in Canada,” said Keating. “I’ve had personal experience with suicide, I’m very open with my own mental health issues. One of the ways I help to mitigate my symptoms is through exercise.”

Keating, who is a certified kettlebell instructor, says the 4000 Reps Challenge is a way to recognize people who have taken their own lives and a way to open up conversations that may help someone from getting to that point.

“Exercise helps me overcome some of my struggles,” he said. “For me exercise combined with medication helps me with my symptoms everyday. It’s not for everyone but I would encourage everyone to exercise even 20 minutes a day to help them out. It’s like a physical meditation - if that makes any sense. It may not be the answer for everyone but it certainly can’t hurt to try.”

The challenge invites participants to join Keating virtually via Facebook on April 23, and complete 4000 reps of any physical activity.

Keating says he will start the day at 10 a.m. and complete 1000 reps per hour until 2 p.m. His daughter will join him lifting kettlebells while his other children will encourage them throughout the day. His wife plans to go for a 4 km run, then cheer Keating an his daughter on for the rest of the day and manage the Facebook group.

The 4000 Rep Challenge is not a fundraiser. Keating says he considered it, but ultimately decided to simply invite people to have a conversation and to let others struggling with their mental health know they are not alone.

Participate in the 4000 Reps Challenge by joining the Facebook group here.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $360,000 Into Mental Health and Addictions Pilot Project to Aid 320 People

The Ontario Government is funding $367,480 to non-profit organization Right to Heal for mental health and addictions services for 320 people announced at the Peterborough County-City Paramedics on Friday.

Peggy Shaughnessy, Founder and President of Whitepath Consulting (pictured) has had her organization in operation since 2005. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project, “Moving Beyond Addiction” will service over a 16-month period will use the Redpath program via Whitepath Consulting to treat addictions by using psychology-based methods to identify the reasons behind substance abuse and developing the social, emotional and practical skills to move beyond addiction and fully reintegrate back into society.

“Individuals with addictions more often than not develop addictions by using substances to either feel something or numb something. The root cause is almost always trauma; whether it’s from abuse, mental health challenges or pain,” said MPP Dave Smith. “If we are truly going to address the mental health and addictions crisis, a wide variety of treatments options need to exist locally.”

The program will work under a referral process administered by the Elizabeth Fry Society, enabling the funding for the pilot to flow fully to program services.

Clients referred to the program will typically be homeless, at-risk of homelessness, living with mental health/addictions issues and trauma, or disconnected from appropriate services.

Peterborough Police, Peterborough County-City Paramedics and Peterborough Regional Health Centre can refer clients who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing opioid overdoses.

Health and social services can refer clients from places such as the Consumption and Treatment Services/Opioid Response Hub, Brock Mission, Cameron House, and One Roof Community Centre. The program accepts family and self-referrals.

“With the recent announcement regarding the Consumption and Treatment Services funding, this funding will help expand addiction treatment services in our area and allow funding for the Redpath program that has shown great success in other areas,” said Peggy Shaughnessy, Founder and President of Whitepath Consulting.

Once referred, clients will undergo a rigorous and evidence-based assessment to determine the correct treatment for their unique needs.

The assessment will consider multiple variables to determine their needs including backgrounds of trauma, abuse, domestic violence, housing status, financial situation, and level of substance abuse.

After the assessment, they will enter into one-on-one counselling and/or the Redpath Intervention Program. It consists of 21 counselling and training sessions in three-hour spans in both community and institutional settings.

Sessions focus on identifying trauma and the cause, understanding why a client uses substances, the development of coping mechanisms and practical, emotional and social skills.

Clients will enter an After Care Program, requiring two hours on a weekly basis for group training sessions focusing on personal development and fully reintegrating back into society.

“We have had the opportunity to connect clients to the program and are witnessing firsthand the impact Redpath has. We at Elizabeth Fry can see this program coming alive through our referrals from various connections within the health care and criminal justice sectors,” said Debbie Carriere, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough. “As someone who has completed this program myself, I can truly speak to the excellent opportunity this is bringing to our community for healing.”

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#WellTogetherPTBO Campaign Raises $12,000 For CMHA HKPR New Mobile Mental Health Unit

PTBOCanada and Fresh Radio’s #WellTogetherPTBO campaign raised $12,000 to help fund Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge branch’s new mobile mental health unit.

The new mobile clinic is in the process of being launched. It will consist of two retro-fitted vehicles that will service the four counties.

“The intent is to be able to provide mental health support to people who are living remotely, facing barriers and for many reasons have not been able to access service,” said Jeff Cadence, manager of the new mobile clinic. “This is now a process of bringing that help directly to the people.”

The $12,000 donation will be put towards the purchase of a second unit, as the first one was payed for by funding from the Ontario government.

According to Cadence the vehicle will be about 36 ft. long and wheelchair accessible. Onboard will be a waiting room, a washroom and two meeting rooms where patients can meet with professionals in person or via. video chat.

Each unit will have mental health clinicians and nurses on site and will be able to provide access to psychiatry and other medical professionals through tele-conference.

The #WellTogetherPTBO campaign raised funds by selling shirts and toques. The shirts featured art by artist Jason Wilkins that was inspired by his painted mural at the PTBOCanada studio.

Leons Peterborough, Ashburnham Realty, Gauvreau Accounting, Circul Air Corp., Red X Technologies, Overtime Hockey, Fontains Source For Sports and Friendly Fires made significant contributions to this campaign.

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CMHA HKPR Receives Combined $60K Donation From Two Local Organizations

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge branch (CMHAHKPR) received a $50,000 donation from the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough, and a $10,000 grant from the Peterborough Police Services Board Auction Fund.

Photo courtesy of CMHAHKPR

The donations, both received on Monday, will support the new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic being launched in 2022.

“We thank the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough for their generous donation which will support our new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic,” said Mark Graham, Chief Executive Officer, CMHA HKPR. “The new clinic will bring specialized mobile mental health and addictions care to underserviced and under-resourced communities.”

The clinic will operate within a custom-built retrofitted bus, travelling to communities across the Four Counties. With a multidisciplinary team and collaboration from community partners, it will provide individuals with a variety of services together under one roof, including mental health and addictions services, psychiatric support and follow-up, sexual health and addictions education and support, and basic primary care and health screening for vulnerable populations.

Photo courtesy of CMHAHKPR.

“We’re pleased to have been selected by the Peterborough Police Services Board as a recipient of the Auction Fund Grant, which will support our new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic,” said Graham. “The launch of this program is a monumental step in bringing specialized mobile mental health and addictions care to underserviced and under-resourced communities.”

“The Peterborough Police Services Board is pleased to support the Canadian Mental Health Association’s new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic with an auction fund grant. The Police Board and the Police Service recognize and understand the need for effective supports and programs that will help support our fellow citizens who are struggling with their mental health and/or addiction to substances,” said Bob Hall, Chair of the Peterborough Police Services Board. “The CMHA is to be commended for this project and we hope that this grant will be part of a community solution.”

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#WellTogetherPTBO Fundraising Campaign Launched For Mental Health and Addictions Services

PTBOCanada has launched their #WellTogetherPTBO campaign to support mental health and addiction services by selling t-shirts and toques beginning Monday.

Caitlin Mcintosh, CMHAKPR communications and community relations specialist displaying the back of the campaign t-shirt. The mobile health unit is expected to be operating by roughly Jan. 1. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The shirts contain art by artist Jason Wilkins that was inspired by his painted mural at the PTBOCanada studio.

All proceeds from the clothing sales will go towards the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHAKPR).

"It's a great initiative especially with the holidays coming up,” said Caitlin Mcintosh, CMHAKPR communications and community relations specialist. “It’s great that the money is going to fund our new mobile mental health and addictions clinic."

Leon’s Peterborough kickstarted the campaign by donating $1,000 during its announcement at the PTBOCanada studio.

"It's awesome to be able to contribute back to our community," said Tom Reburn, Leon’s Peterborough general manager. "This is a really important cause, everything with that's been COVID going on, people's mental health has definitely been at the forefront of everything and being able to contribute something positive to the community is priceless for me.”

@ptbo_canada

The #WellTogetherPTBO shirt features art by the wonderful @wilkinsart & will support CMHA HKPR! Check our site to buy! #fyp #mentalhealth #localart

♬ original sound - lyrics

The charity apparel can be purchased online at the PTBOCanada shop. Every shirt and toque purchased will have $10 and $5 go to CHMAKPR respectively. All PTBOCanada caps proceeds will also go towards the campaign which runs until Christmas.

"Everyone has started to feel some pandemic fatigue, everyone wants their lives obviously to be back to normal so this is a great way to bring the Peterborough community together and demonstrate wellness, mental wellness and togetherness," said MacIntosh.

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Dave Smith Announces over $47,000 in Funding to Renovate Four County Crisis and Safe Beds Program Facility

The Government of Ontario has given over $47,000 of capital funding to renovate the Four County Crisis and Safe Beds Program facility at Paddock Wood on Tuesday.

MPP Dave Smith, Mark Graham, CEO of CMHAHKPR and Jeff Candence, Program Manager of Crisis Intervention Services at CMHAHKPR, at Paddock Wood Four County Crisis and Safe Beds Program facility. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Paddock Wood hosts the 24-hour Four County Crisis Line and has six safe beds for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis that needs to get away from their current stressful environment. Most clients stay for three to five days.

The funding will allow for a fully accessible washroom, window replacements, exterior deck upgrades, flooring replacement and a fire escape, among other projects across three locations in Peterborough.

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith was joined by Mark Graham, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) to make the announcement.

“Those at CMHA reach out to everybody in the community,” said Smith. “so when they have an opportunity to modify one of their properties to make it more inclusive, there are more people they can serve. Mental health isn’t restricted to someone in good shape.”

This funding is part of the government’s $182.6 million investment provided through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund (CIRF).

It will ensure that patients can continue to access the care they need in safe, comfortable environments and that the local health care system is prepared to respond to any scenario as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

“CMHA HKPR is pleased to once again receive capital funding from the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund,” said Graham, “This funding will support our organization as we work to further improve the comfort, cleanliness, accessibility, and overall appearance of our sites, which positively impacts the quality of care we provide to our clients,”.”

Graham says all renovations will be complete within three to six months.

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World Suicide Prevention Day Creates Hope Through Action

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge (CMHAHKPR) and The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention is hosting an online vigil to honour World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday.

(left to right) Janet McCue, her great-niece Maddy, Kelly Curtis, Deb Sandeman and Maryam Monsef (Peterborough-Kawartha MP) at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The theme of this year’s service is creating hope through action.

CMHAHKPR promoted the event at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday.

Curve Lake resident Janet McCue performed a welcoming song called ‘All Directions’ and was joined by her great-niece Maddy.

McCue performs a welcoming song at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday with her great niece Maddy. Photo courtesy of Angela O’Grady.

CMHAHKPR hopes that World Suicide Prevention Day will lessen the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health and encourage people to seek help if they need it.

“Ideally we want to reduce the number of suicides and reduce the stigma around suicides,” said Deb Sandeman, Suicide Prevention Program CMHAHKPR member. “We hope that people realize there is support out there, there is specific programs aimed at improving mental health and reducing suicides.”

CMHAHKPR member Kelly Curtis says World Suicide Prevention Day is aimed at getting people more comfortable with talking about suicide.

“Being there for people and being able to say ‘are you ok’ is so important,” said Curtis. “Understanding how to reach resources is something we really want to promote.”

In lieu of an in-person candlelit vigil, this year’s participants are invited to light a candle in their window at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.

To register for the online vigil, click here.

For more information on mental health resources in Peterborough and the surrounding area, click here.

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Smile Cookie Campaign Supports Peterborough Regional Health Centre For Mental Health

The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign will support mental health care that will leave no frowns for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced on Thursday.

Staff and Tim Hortons owners lined up outside the main entrance at PHRC with Smile cookies and signs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Staff and Tim Hortons owners gathered outside the PHRC main entrance to make the announcement during Tim Hortons’ 25th anniversary of the Smile Cookie Campaign.

The annual fundraiser will run from Sept. 13-19 where the "Smile” cookies can be bought for one dollar apiece where all proceeds will go to the PHRC Foundation and mental health care.

You can purchase them in-store or by online pre-order by visiting PRHC’s website, printing the form and dropping it off at a participating Tim Hortons location.

Ryan Graham, Tim Hortons owner says the Smile Cookie campaign is a great way for their stores and customers to give back to their communities.

“Over the past 25 years, the Smile Cookie campaign has raised more than $60 million for charities, hospitals and community programs across the country - with a record-breaking $110 million in 2020, he said. “We believe it’s never been more important to make sure that people in our communities have access to these services close to home.

Melinda Wall (left) has been the director of mental health services since Jan. 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Melinda Wall, PHRC director of mental health services expressed her happiness that mental health is being taken more seriously than it was in years past.

"Ten to 20 years ago, you wouldn't have seen a large campaign of this scale for mental health and addictions,” she said. “I think we have come leaps and bounds and are continuing to progress and just making it more something people can talk about and feel like we can rally behind and support our community."

The money will go towards several projects to help expand mental health services since there has been a spike in mental health patient admissions during the last decade according to Wall.

“One of the projects being key is our Crisis Unit,” she explained. “We are doubled in volume in the last 10 years and the space needs to be expanded. That's our number one campaign and additional outdoor space through our courtyard for our patient unit."

Leslie Heighway has been president and CEO for the PRHC Foundation for almost a decade. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO said she was honoured to be this year’s recipient of the Tim Hortons fundraiser.

"We're just so thrilled. You can see the amount of engagement there is today with all of our team members with mental health services and all of the Tim Hortons owners,” she explained. “We couldn't be happier that we're going to invest these funds in PRHC and mental health in particular."

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New Foundation Music For Minds to Host Fundraiser at The Venue

Local musician Maxwell McWilliams is launching his new mental health foundation, Music for Minds, with a live performance at The Venue on Sept. 11.

Photo courtesy of Maxwell McWilliams

McWilliams started his journey as a local musician when he was 11 years old. He played in local bars and at Market Hall, opening for Max Gomez from Taos, NM.

In February 2020, McWilliams launched his solo headline campaign ‘The Maxwell McWilliams Music Administration for Mental Health Awareness’ which sold out Market Hall.

After his success in last year, McWilliams plans to continue fundraising for mental health.

“Mental health doesn’t stop regardless of what is going on in the world,” he said.

On Sept.11 at 7:30 p.m. McWilliams will perform at The Venue to kickstart his new foundation.

Music for Minds aims to improve the lives of young people suffering from mental illness through the power of music, says McWilliams.

“We just saw the tip of the iceberg with community support and raising awareness last year when we ran our campaign,” he explained. “We can’t stop at one show and one donation when there are so many seeking support in our local communities.”

This is an all-ages event with limited ticket sales due to COVID-19 restrictions.

To purchase tickets call the ticket hotline number at (705) 768-7036.

There are event sponsorship opportunities available, call the ticket hotline to inquire.

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Online Charity Event Concerning Children's Mental Health During Pandemic

Local vlogger and content creator Michelle Ferreri will hold a free online fundraiser to support children's mental health during the pandemic announced on Wednesday.

Michelle Ferrari currently has over 24,000 followers on her Facebook Page. Photo Courtesy of Michelle Ferrari.

The event, “A Virtual Conversation On Youth Mental Health and the Current Pandemic Crisis,” featuring child psychiatrist Dr. Jean Clinton is scheduled for June 18 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

It helps parents with tips and tools to help themselves and their children navigate through the pandemic and mental health crisis.

All proceeds will go towards Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) as the event urges anyone to donate what they can for children’s mental health.

Dr. Jean Clinton is a Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. Photo Courtesy of Michelle Ferreri.

The announcement was made after the Government of Ontario announced that there would be no return to in-class school prior to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Questions can be submitted prior to the event at hello@michelleferreri.com. The event will be live-streamed on her official Facebook page and will be available on Ferreri’s official website after the event.

If you would like to donate towards the cause, you can visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/health-services-foundation/campaign/michelle-ferreri-presents-dr-jean-clinton/. The goal is set at $5,000.

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