Talking About Mental Health, Saving Lives With Niagara’s Pathstone Health Team

Make A Donation To Support Mental Health Services For Children Across Niagara

#ProjectPlaid campaign encourages open talk around Mental Health

A Call-Out for Support from Pathstone Mental Health

Posted November 3rd, 2024 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Region – Now into it’s 4th year at Pathstone, ProjectPlaid (#PP), was created to honour the life of Amelia Durocher after we lost her to suicide in 2019. But it wasn’t just about Amelia, says her mother Shanta Rangaratnam, the founder of this campaign.

“It was also about encouraging us all to talk openly about mental health, with the hope that something like this never happens to another family.”

Since 2019, PP has been marked every November across Niagara and culminates on the final Friday of that month, known now as Plaid Friday. On that day the campaign is amplified as the community wears plaid, which was Amelia’s signature style, talks about their mental health, and donates to Pathstone.

To date, more than $200,000 has been raised to support services and programs at Pathstone Mental Health, above Ministry of Health funding. And even better, we are creating open and safe spaces for amplified conversation around mental health.

Simply put, talking about Mental Health, saves lives. And we continue to be moved by the grand gestures of our community in support of #PP and the above mission. This campaign really is easing conversations and enabling connection for so many during their most difficult moments. Shaun Baylis, CEO Pathstone Mental Health

Starting this Novmember 4th, our community comes together for #PP with a host of efforts and events throughout November.

You can support the campaign by making a donation meaningful to you at https://www.pathstonefoundation.ca/projectplaid or purchase some of the Project Plaid merchandise available online or at our walk-in clinic at The Niagara Pen Centre and help raise awareness about mental health.

A few more #PP highlights include – 

Community

There are teams of schools & companies onboard running their own #PP campaigns this year.

Cause Marketing & Donations McDonalds– 7 locations will ask customers for donations at the register all month long, and they are donating $1 from every box of chicken McNuggets sold on Nov. 24th to the campaign.

PetValu Vansickle & Lundy’s Lane – Buy a Project Plaid dog bandana and get a FREE dog wash all November with 100% of the proceeds to support Pathstone.

Canada Post – 22 customer depots across Niagara will be collecting donations and selling swag all month.

Casa Toscana Fine Foods & Cucina – They will be donation $1 from every Zozzona pasta dish sold in November.

And more! (please check our website for the most up to date information)

Events

#PP will be at the Ice Dogs Game on #Plaid Eve, Nov. 29th selling swag and collecting donations.

For MORE information on the #ProjectPlaid Campaign, visit: https://www.pathstonefoundation.ca/projectplaid/

Pathstone’s Promise – We are a community-based organization committed to providing seamless, innovative and effective care for all children and youth in Niagara, struggling with mental health issues. Thanks to support from our donors and volunteers, we are able to address and meet the needs of more children and their families each year. We are the primary accredited provider of mental health services for children in Niagara and a lead agency for the province of Ontario. We have been helping kids for over 50 years in Niagara. Note, Crisis & Support is offered 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews, please contact: Michelle Begin, Manager, Marketing and Community Development – Pathstone Foundation / Mental Health mbegin@pathstone.ca.

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

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