On Wednesday, April 15th at Peterborough’s Market Hall, you can support people with mental health issues by listening to six compelling and innovative people share their stories of overcoming adversity.
“What doesn’t break you makes you stronger” is the theme of the fifth annual Peterborough SPEAKS series, a fundraiser for mental health therapy presented by the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.
One of the speakers at the event is Margot Austin, the talented and witty senior design editor for Canadian House & Home who grew up in Peterborough (you may have seen her as a guest decorating expert on CBC’s Steven & Chris Show and CTV’s The Marilyn Denis Show).
“When we feel broken, we must remember that it’s not a case of weakness versus strength,” Margot says. “It’s a reminder that we are human.”
Other speakers at the event are Paul Hickey (President of BrandHealth and golf columnist), Ann Douglas (parenting expert and author), John Boyko (author, historian, and former Dean of Social Sciences at Lakefield College School), Peer Christensen (internationally acclaimed artist), and Phyllis Williams (Chief of Curve Lake First Nation).
This year’s Peterborough SPEAKS will have a new and more engaging format.
Rather than the speakers simply delivering their presentations to the audience, the event will feature a question-and-answer session between the speakers and interviewers Stuart “Stu” Harrison and Michelle Ferreri.
Stu is the President and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and Michelle is the Business Development Coordinator at Loomex Group and a former CHEX-TV on-air personality.
Singers Christopher Dallo and Brian Roman (who performed in Peterborough at Showplace last fall) will entertain the audience before the main event begins at 7 p.m.
Money raised by the event will go towards Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which combines the practice of mindful meditation with the tools of cognitive therapy. This therapeutic approach helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions focus on accepting their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Lori Richey, Interim Executive Director of Primary Health Care Services Peterborough, explains why this therapy is so important.
“MBCT training provides our mental health clinicians with the most up-to-date information and techniques to help patients suffering from and depression, all within the circle of care of your local Family Health Team,” she says. “The programs and services these clinicians provide to their patients are not only innovative, they help people to function independently and ultimately reclaim their lives.”
Don Vassiliadis, Peterborough councillor for Monaghan Ward and owner of Shish-Kabob Hut (which is catering the event), echoes the importance of mental health therapy programs.
“Without the necessary programs to help patients dealing with mental health issues, people can fall through the cracks,” he explains. “We enjoy extremely good health care in this community and this is yet another example of how our local Family Health Team works together to prevent that from happening.”
Doug Boden, Regional Director at Freedom 55 Financial Peterborough — a long-time supporter of the work of the Health Services Foundation and the presenting sponsor for Peterborough SPEAKS for the second year in a row — also sees the value in these programs.
“Mental health is and continues to be a growing area of concern in our community,” he says. “We’re proud to be a community partner with the Health Services Foundation as they raise money and awareness for these vital services.”
Tickets for Peterborough SPEAKS are $50 and can be purchased in person at the Market Hall Box Office, online at www.markethall.org, or by phone at 705-749-1146. For more information,visit www.gphsf.ca.
