Mental Health and Wellness
The findings in Phase 1 and 2 of the Moving Mountains Initiative revealed ‘Mental Health and Wellness’ as a high opportunity area for collaborative solution building. Bow Valley civil society indicated a need to collaboratively build solutions that,
- Help Bow Valley Civil societies create and identify spaces and places for community togetherness across the Bow Valley.
- Help Bow Valley civil societies to centre youth in supporting mental health awareness and knowledge.
- Create opportunities for Bow Valley-wide celebration of diverse cultures and significant cultural dates and events.
- Help the community in the Bow Valley create and celebrate art, culture, and story.
- Help develop community spaces for mental and physical health, recreation, social connections, community development and wellbeing.
In Phase 3 of the Initiative, a Learn and Try Group was activated to address these issues. The group identified the need to collaborate creatively to clarify a plan to address the diversity of community concerns. From the possible solution spaces identified, few were in scope of the timeline and resources of the Initiative. A leading idea was that of the creation of a ‘Community Hub’ – a centralized access point for community residents, newcomers and visitors alike – a digital and physical space to foster a caring community in the Bow Valley. Given the Initiative’s scope and resources, this group learned and experimented through the development of a community toolkit and guidebook -a comprehensive list of resources and shared services for those in need of mental health resources within and across the Bow Valley. The toolkit and guidebook is intended to provide wise practices to organizations developing programs and offering resources to Bow Valley residents and visitors. The guidebook is called the ‘Community Cares Framework’ and it is currently in development. Continued development of meaningful ‘HUB’ concept collaborations are under development within and across the Bow Valley.
Centering equity-deserving voices and amplifying voices not often heard are key principles of Moving Mountains. The initiative worked within a co-leadership model, and the leadership team held themselves accountable to including and amplifying youth, seniors, 2SLGBTQ+ and IBPOC communities in the Bow Valley.
Sage Shepherd is a young local videographer who has captured stories and learning of the Moving Mountain’s collaborative work on the ground, bringing a young person’s perspective and approach to the initiative’s work. As a community organizer, social entrepreneur, videographer and children’s programmer in the Bow Valley, her experience touches many intersections of Bow Valley civil society. View Sage’s conversation with Learn and Try Group Lead, Makaylah Rogers below, and learn more about Sage
