Supporting Our Community's mental health through shared experience and messages of HOPE from brave individuals who have triumphed through education, resiliency and support.
Framing a Pathway Forward > This event occurred on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
This day-long event was intended to help our community frame a pathway forward in healing through messages of HOPE.
We heard from a wide variety of individuals from various backgrounds. Watch videos from the day below.
Our next Framing a Pathway Forward event is set to occur on September 10, 2021.
In March, Theoren Fleury joined us as our Keynote Speaker for Framing a Pathway Forward.
Former NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup winner and Olympic Gold Medalist
Two-time bestselling author of Playing with Fire and Conversations With a Rattlesnake Healing motivator Person of great life experience. Knowledge in the field of relational trauma
While Theo does enjoy his hockey memories and accolades, he feels honoured and blessed in what he does today. Theo’s mission statement is to help as many people get to where they want to go. It has taken shape in many forms, whether meeting people for a brief moment on the street or as a dynamic inspirational speaker with the intention of creating healing through conversation. He loves people, their stories and their journeys. He is committed to daily transformation through personal growth through self-reflection, mindfulness and new action. His compassionate spirit allows others to feel safe and whole through experiencing his vulnerability.
Theo has been awarded the Canadian Humanitarian Award, The Queen’s Jubilee Medallion, he is an Honorary Chief and recipient of the Aboriginal Indspire Award. In 2014 Theo was awarded with an honorary doctorate in Science from University of Guelph-Humber for outstanding contributions to the Mental Health of Canadians. Most recently Theo was bestowed with a second honorary doctorate in Laws from Brandon University in recognition for his contributions combating child sexual abuse and for his outstanding efforts to promote healing and recovery.
Theo pursues excellence in all areas of his life. From the greatest heights to the lowest depths, both professionally and personally, Theo shares a message about winning it all, losing it all, and reinventing himself all over again.
“The Power of Me Too” was an uplifting talk about hope. It was a reminder that we are never alone in our struggles because we have all faced adversity in our lives. Theo hit the stage at 12:00 p.m.
Framing a Pathway Forward
Videos from the live event:
Lived Experience: Derrick Lillico and Cody Lawrence
Derrick and Cody discuss their lived experience around suicide and grief.
Derrick focuses on his life lived with anxiety and depression, and sharing his story of how he lives with and battles his darkness. Growing up with anxiety and depression, he never knew what it really was or how to talk about it. Derrick discusses his struggles as a father and being a dad who battles depression, saying, "Hope can be found in knowing through pain growth can happen."
Derek Hintz
Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Derek Hintz is not a stranger in most circles. This artist can entertain pretty much everyone that has the pleasure of watching him perform and we were fortunate to have him do two sets for us during Framing a Pathway Forward.
Expect nothing but pure joy when you watch Derek perform!
This performance was sponsored by the Methanex Corporation.
Ryan Oscar & Rick Armstrong
Our Collective Journey is a peer support group formed in Medicine Hat that encourages individuals experiencing mental health and addiction issues to step out from behind the heavy curtain of shame.
Two of the founders, Ryan Oscar and Rick Armstrong have both experienced their own personal darkness and share stories of how they moved through that darkness and into a new light.
Let's Talk About Resiliency: Breanne Mellen and Allysa Larmor
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness and addiction disorders.
Join Breanne Mellen our Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Allysa Larmor our Suicide Prevention Educator as they walk us through "Don't Just Survive, THRIVE." This is a presentation on how to overcome the challenges and disappointments that are an unavoidable part of life and get back to being the creator of your life.
Theo Fleury with Trevor Moore
Our Keynote Speaker: Theoren Fleury
From the greatest heights to the lowest depths, both professionally and personally, Theo shares a message about winning it all, losing it all, and reinventing himself all over again.
“The Power of Me Too” was an uplifting talk about HOPE. It was a reminder that we are never alone in our struggles because we have all faced adversity in our lives.
Snakes and the Riot
Performing hits and entertaining the masses! Snakes and the Riot consists of four veteran Medicine Hat musicians who came together to perform for our first Framing a Pathway Forward event.
This performance was sponsored by Brovac Mobile Vacuum Services.
Dr. Rebecca Hudson Breen from Hope Studies Central
Hope Studies Central at the UofA is the only research unit in the world devoted to the study of HOPE in human living.
The field of hope research is vast, with research indicating that higher levels of hope are associated with beneficial outcomes in virtually all studies including physical and mental health, education, sports, and even business.
Dr. Breen is an Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology in the Faculty of Education. She is a registered psychologist and researches the connections between mental health, career-life, and HOPE.
Closing and Round Table Discussion
To complete our first Framing a Pathway Forward event, the team wraps up what they have discussed over the day, and talks about what is coming up moving forward.
Hope Studies Central
Hope Studies Central from UofA is the only research unit in the world devoted to the study of HOPE in human living. Dr. Rebecca Hudson Breen will be presenting ways to nurture and practice hope (based on the team’s research).
"The Power of Me Too" The Theoren Fleury Story
“Me Too.” (Theo's Story)
A Captivating and Emotional Talk That Enhances Health and Wellness Conferences.
Let's talk about Resiliency
Join Breanne Mellen our Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Allysa Larmor our Suicide Prevention Educator as they walk us through "Don't Just Survive, THRIVE".
Ryan Oscar & Rick Armstrong
Ryan Oscar and Rick Armstrong have both experienced their own personal darkness and will share stories of how they moved through that darkness and into a new light.
Derek Hintz
Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Derek Hintz is not a stranger in most circles. This artist can entertain pretty much everyone that has the pleasure of watching him perform and we are fortunate to have him do two sets for us during Framing a Pathway Forward.
Lived Experience with Derrick Lillico and Cody Lawrence
Derrick Lillico says "hope can be found in knowing through pain growth can happen" and he will be sharing his lived experience with us at the Framing a Pathway Forward Event.
Thank you to our Sponsors.
This event would not be made possible without the support of the following organizations.
CMHA ASER
For more than 60 years in Alberta, CMHA has focused on recovery and support for Albertans impacted by mental illness.
We stand with people living in the community as they achieve their wellness goals providing supports, resources and education to assist all with finding a path forward.
For All The Brothers.
For All the Brothers began as a grassroots men's mental health support group. They would post on social media and meet at the dog park to hold support meetings. Since then they have held numerous fundraising events to support mental health initiatives in Southeast Alberta and become a beacon to individuals experiencing mental health and addiction issues.
Our Collective Journey.
Our Collective Journey is an organization that facilitates a brave space for our community to strengthen itself through the power of shared/lived experience. We collect and share individuals’ stories of struggle with a variety of issues from a variety of courageous, local individuals who have found the way out of their darkness. Each story we share is provided by individuals willing to support others in the community.
Medicine Hat & District Food Bank
The Medicine Hat and District Food Bank believes mental health and wellness begins with accessible non-judgemental and inclusive access to basic human needs like food. We believe in collaborating in the community to ensure that everyone in Medicine Hat has access to services so that they may find their path forward!