Drayton Valley and area residents of all ages are invited to the community’s first Mental Health Awareness Symposium on Feb. 21.
The free event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Max Centre (4801 43 Street), featuring speakers, discussion sessions and a resource fair.
At 11:30 a.m., pro rodeo announcer and mental health advocate Brett Gardiner will deliver a keynote speech.
Event organizers say Gardiner holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology and has worked with Stanley Cup champions, athletes of all ages, educational systems and adults across diverse settings. He is expected to share insights from his own mental health journey.
Breakout sessions will be hosted by various speakers and cover a diverse range of topics, including stress management, healthy aging, men’s wellness, addiction awareness and prevention, the relationship between food and mental health, local youth supports, suicide awareness and much more. Gardiner will also host sessions on athlete mental wellness and finding purpose in life.
Organizers say the sessions are designed to connect participants with local and provincial services and offer practical strategies to prioritize mental well-being. The resource fair will also showcase some of these services.
The breakout sessions have limited capacity, so be sure to register early to secure a spot. Priority will be given to those who registered online before the Feb. 15 deadline.
The full schedule is as follows:
- 8:30-9:00 a.m.: Registration
- 9:00-9:15 a.m.: Opening/welcome/land acknowledgement
- 9:15-9:30 a.m.: Coffee/transition
- 9:30-10:15 a.m.: Breakout sessions
- 10:15-10:30 a.m.: Coffee/transition
- 10:30-11:15 a.m.: Breakout sessions
- 11:15-11:30 a.m.: Coffee/transition/afternoon registration
- 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Keynote (Brett Gardiner)
- 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Lunch and resource fair
- 1:15-1:30 p.m.: Coffee/transition
- 1:30-2:15 p.m.: Breakout sessions
- 2:15-2:30 p.m.: Coffee/transition
- 2:30-3:15 p.m.: Breakout sessions
- 3:15-3:30 p.m.: Closing remarks
Lunch and refreshments will be provided, as well as childcare.
The event is presented by the Drayton Valley Rotary Club, in partnership with the Healthy Communities Coalition.
Comments