Open Minded Chats
Initially proposed to the Calgary Public Library in the fall of 2020, we launched our program virtually through the Central Public Library location in February 2021. Through our partnerships, we have connected Calgarians with many organizations for engaging, rewarding conversations.
While there are hundreds of professional organizations and thousands of working professionals in Calgary, we try to show a balance of perspectives. Speakers have taught about the differences between the experiences for men and women suffering from addiction, we’ve explored the history of music therapy in relation to mental health and mental illness, and we’ve heard from researchers working with neuroscience to support brain health.
The organizations we’ve been able to promote support those in rehabilitation from addiction, those suffering from mental health challenges, and those promoting preventative maintenance. Wherever you are in your relationship to mental health and wellbeing, we’d like to meet you there.
We will continue to present organizations throughout 2022, and are planning on travelling to communities across Calgary, as we’ve transitioned out of the virtual space and into “in-person” delivery. Please reach out to us, should you wish to bring an Open Minded Chats session to your community! We truly enjoy presenting at opportunities like Scenic Acres Community Association’s Seniors Day, as well as part of our events (like Spring Bliss, hosted at carya’s Village Commons). Audiences have walked away feeling better for the sessions, as well as more confident when thinking about accessing mental health support in Calgary.
2023 Partners include:
Action Dignity with “Racialized Mental Health Perspectives”
2022 Partners include:
Wakefield Brewster with “Writing A Way to Wellness”
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society's Centre for Refugee Resilience with “Mental Health Support in the Early Days of Refugee Settlement”
Dr. Ty “the NeuroGuy“ McKinney, Co-Founder & CEO of 8 Bit Cortex with “Developing Empathy toward the Mental Health Challenges behind Addiction”
Athena Cooper, Co-Founder of Tilted Windmills Healing Centre with “Creativity and the Art of Imperfection”.
Andrew G.M. Bulloch, MA, PhD, Co-Founder of HEAR Music Alberta, Professor with the Department of Community Health Sciences and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education with
“Music and its Role in Mental Health and Illness”.
Click to download presentation slides (.pdf)
Click to download CAHH Music and Creative Arts in Health (.pdf)
Lisa Jacobson, Intake Coordinator for Lionheart Foundation with “Eating Disorder & Self-Harm in Children aged 10 to 16”.
Alix Gordon-Moran, MSW, RSW and Tara Horsley, MSW, RSW, both Managers within Family Mental Health & Social Inclusion at Kindred Connections Society with “Realizing the Power of Human Connection”.
Click to download presentation slides (.pdf)
2021 Partners include:
Branch Out Neurological Foundation with
”Artistic Liberty - Beyond the Brain Story”
Joshua Blair, M. Osc. (Manual Osteopath) with “Chronic Pain and Mental Wellbeing - An Osteopathic Perspective”
CARFAC Alberta (Canadian Artists Representation/front des artistes canadienes) with “Speaking Disability Arts… Arts and Disability -Know the Difference to Making a Difference”
Brandy Payne, former Associate Minister of Health in Alberta (responsible for Mental Health & Substance Use), and a CMHA-Certified Psychological Health & Safety Advisor with “Dodging Burnout & Building Mental Health - Tools & Strategies to Avoid Burnout at Work”
Rethink Urban with “Engagement, Place & Spaces, & Creative Change to Improve Our World”
Simon House Recovery Centre with “Leading Treatment through a Family-Centered, Inclusive Approach”
Family Mental Health and Social Inclusion at Catholic Family Service with “Building Strong Families through Connection”
Hollow Bone Healing Lodge with “Using Indigenous Ceremonies to Build Bridges”
Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network (CFAN) with “Engagement & Support for FASD”
Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addictions with “Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addictions”
Therapy Support Centre at Centre for Newcomers with “Staying Social to Support Newcomer Mental Health”
© 2018-2024 Stacey Perlin