A local sports organization got the message out to the community about supporting mental health, and now it has been awarded for it.
Recently, the Centre Wellington Minor Lacrosse Association (CWMLA) was announced as the 2022 recipient of the Neil Dunsmore Power of One award, which is part of the Here4Hope Project by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Waterloo Wellington.
A release from the CMHA of Waterloo Wellington said the annual award recognizes an individual or organization in Wellington County whose actions have made a significant contribution to promoting life and preventing suicide.
In 2021, the CWMLA ran an online campaign and held a virtual webinar called Strength In Our Community. The webinar addresses various topics regarding mental health, including suicide loss, diversity, racial injustices and resources. Guest speakers for the webinar were Myrna Hutchinson and Damon Edwards.
Nathan Joyes, president of the CWMLA, said the event was one of the largest online events the CWMLA has ever done on mental health and gained lots of positive feedback. The association was also unaware they had been nominated for the award by the community.
“It was quite a surprise, quite a shock, very humbled and honoured to be nominated, let alone to be awarded the award,” said Joyes, noting support for the webinar 'eclipsed' support for other CWMLA events.
When it comes to talking about mental health, Joyes said the association thought it was always the right thing to do.
"The success that we've had with the event, as well as the nomination-recipient of it, has just locked it down that we are on the right track, that it is important and we have a platform to discuss it, so let's carry on and see what more we can do," said Joyes.
During the pandemic, Joyes said the CWMLA noticed a huge impact on community members being away from sport while in lockdown and isolation.
"As an organization, we knew we could have an impact on the community, as well as the members of our organization," said Joyes, "We had some tools through Damon and through Myrna that we could communicate an effective message that, 'You're not alone,' and 'You have support' and 'We're all in this together.'"
While the CWMLA isn't planning another mental health event right now, Joyes said the association will carry on with education and mental health resources for members. It will also continue its partnership with the CMHA Waterloo Wellington and Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington.
The Neil Dunsmore Power of One award is named after Neil Dunsmore, a resident who walked 500 km from Elora to Ottawa for the Steps to Stop the Silence campaign.
The award was presented to the CWMLA ahead of World Suicide Day on Sept. 10, a day representing a global commitment to focus attention on suicide prevention organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
