DUNNVILLE—The annual Mental Health Wellness Expo, organized by True Experience, took place Monday, March 6, 2023 at the Dunnville Lifespan Centre. Presentations were held throughout the day, each with a unique approach toward improving mental health in the community. The event brings awareness to mental health and helps those in need access services within the community. Some of the workshops included the opioid crisis, recreational health therapy, and how the pandemic affected children’s mental health. Above left, Oliver Nobosin and Jackie Labonte performed the opening ceremony drum circle. Labonte says, “Having a drum circle is a way for people to connect. The translation of the drum is the living heart which connects us all together.” Centre left, Chrissy Sadowski, Community Engagement Facilitator at Young Caregivers of Canada, has been advocating for the program since being a participant, when it made a huge difference in her home life: “The Young Caregivers program provides the attention and care these kids deserve,” she says. Centre right is artist and volunteer Andrea Bridge of Caledonia and Melissa Baisley, Program Manager with Haldimand Norfolk Senior Support Services. They joined other MICE (Memory Inclusive Communities Everywhere) team members advocating for replacing the word ‘dementia’ due to its negative stigmas. This team also includes Donald and Louise Farrar of Dunnville (above right). Many people attending were volunteers and Baisley suggests that “without our volunteers, our organizations wouldn’t run.” Collectively this successful event was one big team caring for our community.
DUNNVILLE—Above left, Simone Roesink and Adam Gilbert of Haldimand OPP’s Community Mobilization division, which helps repeat offenders and high risk youth get on the right path, shared that an increase in mental health issues and drug use is being seen locally; they work closely with every group in attendance at the expo to find productive solutions. Above middle is Marijo Watts, Michael Shebib, Chris Morrison, and Jamie Dereniowski from the Harm Reduction Outreach Program, a mobile team seeking to reduce potential harm from drug usage through raising awareness and offering supports like counselling, naloxone kits, and safe disposal of drug paraphernalia. Above right is Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, Nicole Mans of Haldimand Norfolk Senior Support Services, and Sharon Arnold of True Experience following the opening ceremonies. —Haldimand Press photos by Kerstein Mallon.
