Stick It to Stigma returns to Strathmore

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

ReBloom Community Health and Wellness with host the second annual Stick It to Stigma event on Sept. 6 at the Strathmore Civic Centre.

The event was created to spark open conversation about mental health and connect residents with valuable local resources.

“It’s just a free, open event for Strathmore and the surrounding communities,” said organizer Halle Cockx of ReBloom. “We want to showcase some of the mental health resources and just resources in general that are available to everybody, as well as get rid of that stigma that we still have when it comes to mental health.”

The event will feature booths from Strathmore-based organizations and a handful of Calgary groups offering services to rural communities. Each organization will have interactive activities to engage visitors, along with guest speakers sharing their personal stories and perspectives on mental health.

There will also be food and refreshments including pizza from Papa John’s, a “kiddie corner” with games, and even a visit from the Alpine Adoption Centre and Rescue Paw, bringing rescued animals for attendees to meet.

Cockx said last year’s inaugural event drew more attendees than expected and anticipates even more this time. 

“In small communities, mental health is still such a stigmatized topic of conversation,” she said. “Events like these showcase that mental health isn’t something that needs to be behind closed doors. There are resources out there and people don’t have to be scared to ask for help.”

Donations are welcome in the form of prizes, volunteer time, or financial contributions. 

“Everything that we get donated will go towards this event or future events,” Cockx explained. “If we have any extras, we always have clients or people in the community that can use that extra funding for mental health support of their own.”

For more information or to contribute, individuals and businesses can contact Cockx via email (halle@rebloomstrathmore.com).

“Ultimately, we just want to create a space where people feel safe talking about mental health and know that help is close to home,” said Cockx.