More walks, more training, more hope: CMHA Champlain East gets $229K boost for local mental health

(Cornwall, ON) – It’s no secret that a lot of folks in our region are struggling — feeling cut off, stressed out, or downright hopeless. But thanks to a new $229,700 Grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Champlain East Branch will be rolling out more opportunities to get people connected, supported, and better equipped to handle life’s darkest moments. And all of it will be free.

The funding, which stretches through to June 2028, will help CMHA Champlain East ramp up two programs that tackle mental health on the ground: Mood Walks and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).

Here’s what’s coming:

• Five new Mood Walks routes every year, complete with free busing and food for anyone who wants to join.
• Six free ASIST workshops each year, with at least one offered in French.

Altogether, these expanded programs could reach hundreds of people right here in our community over the next three years.

Why this matters so much is plain to see. Recent numbers from the Eastern Ontario Health Unit paint a worrying picture: 23% of local residents reported feeling socially isolated, and 11% said they had thoughts of suicide — just in the past month. Meanwhile, our area’s suicide rate is noticeably higher than Ontario’s average. In places like Hawkesbury and Cornwall, about a quarter of residents rely on government assistance, which makes no-cost programs like these even more critical.

CMHA Champlain East is determined to meet people where they’re at. As Chantal Tessier, program manager of education and volunteers, put it:

“We applied for this grant because the numbers told a clear story—too many people in our region are feeling isolated or struggling in silence. We saw an opportunity to make a real difference. With this funding, we can meet people where they are—with free walks, free training and meaningful support that fosters connection and saves lives.”

Executive director Joanne Ledoux-Moshonas echoed that sense of urgency and gratitude, saying:

“This funding helps us bring people together in nature, supporting mental health and community connection in a way that truly makes a difference. We’re grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for believing in this vision and investing in our community’s well-being.”

The Mood Walks program, part of a provincewide initiative, gets people outside and moving — tapping into what experts call “green exercise” to lift both body and mind. Local outings planned by CMHA Champlain East will include spots like Fields of Gold Sunflower Farm and the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, with more destinations to come.

Then there’s the ASIST workshops. LivingWorks’ ASIST is recognized around the world — even by the World Health Organization — as the top training program to teach everyday people how to spot suicide risk and step in with immediate, life-saving help. It’s been running and evolving for 40 years.

Want to take part in a Mood Walk or sign up for ASIST? Check out www.cmha-east.on.ca or get in touch with Chantal at [email protected] to learn more.

At the end of the day, this grant means more chances for people to walk, talk, learn, and lean on each other. In a time when far too many feel alone, that’s something to celebrate.