In September 2022, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region launched EQUIPPED.
The EQUIPPED program came to be, thanks to an anonymous donation that was provided to CMHA Calgary in memory of my younger brother, Phillip Thomas.
Phillip passed away on September 13, 2019, at the age of 25, following a mental health battle. If this program can help just one person, then in my mind it is a success and a beautiful legacy for my brother to leave. You can learn more about Phillip in the “In Memory” section of the site or here.
“Our hope is that this program equips teens and young adults with the tools and resources they need to cope with mental health struggles, build resilience, and end the stigma around mental health. CMHA Calgary has helped our family survive this terrible tragedy, and we hope this program can help prevent another one.”
Thomas Family
EQUIPPED is a FREE program for anyone in the world and currently offers three courses: Mental Health Awareness, Stress Management & Healthy Coping and our newest module Skills for Being There (thanks to the RBC Foundation). Each course has a workbook and provides the opportunity for young adults to brainstorm and explore the concepts taught through activity-based learning.
AWARENESS
This module is designed to create a better understanding of mental health and how to support your mental well-being.
AND HEALTHY COPING
This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to deal with stress and find healthy coping techniques.
BEING THERE
This module is designed to provide the skills and resources to support the people in your life as they face challenges.
The aim of the courses is to equip young people with mental health knowledge and skills to understand the things they can do to help support their own mental health.
Looking for more resources? There is a list of resources for other supports is also provided at the end of EQUIPPED courses and on the main EQUIPPED website.
Please feel free to share with your networks (reach out to me for any handouts, poster or social assets) and let’s work to end the stigma around mental health through education.
Should there be interest and funding, more courses may be developed.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of our incredible supporters.
If you know of someone who may want to support EQUIPPED, please contact CMHA Calgary’s Community Education Team at education@cmha.calgary.ab.ca.
Dresses every damn day 