Mental health is just as real as physical health. Everyone has it, and everyone experiences struggles with it.

All the uncertainty, worry and change have made this year an especially difficult time for mental health. 

With the launch of The Weekend Sneaker, we wanted to support organizations at the forefront of mental health initiatives in Canada and the US. Every $5 pre-order deposit goes directly towards mental health organizations!

It's also a great opportunity to introduce our community to these organizations and the resources they provide.

Today, we're highlighting the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vancouver-Fraser. CMHA is nation-wide leader and champion for mental health helping people access community resources to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness or addiction.  

CMHA builds capacity, influences policy, provides services and develops resources for the community, creating a space that supports mental health and reduces the stigma associated with mental illness.

Some of CMHA's programs include:

Bounce Back

Bounce Back® helps 15+ individuals overcome early symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Participants learn skills to help combat unhelpful thinking, manage worry and anxiety, and become more active and assertive. The program is free, courtesy of the Province of BC.

Here4Peers

Here4Peers is a peer based mental health literacy program, led by youth for youth.

It is offered to high school students, providing effective tools and healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression.

Workplace Mental Health

Early recognition and intervention can mitigate the negative impacts of a mental health problem.

CMHA delivers an array of Workplace Mental Health workshops for both managers and employees help with early recognition!

Peer Navigators

Peer Navigators draw on personal lived-experience, training and education to work alongside and encourage program participants in a goal- and recovery-oriented space.

Participants receive free one-on-one appointments with a Peer Navigator for up to 1 year and collaborative support to assist with finding and accessing resources that meet your self-identified needs.

We'd love for you to learn more about CMHA by visiting their website here.

The Weekend Sneaker

Meet the newest member of the Vessi line-up - The Weekend Sneaker. The same waterproof tech you know and love, in an all-new silhouette!

Inspired by 90's kicks we fell in love with as kids, The Weekend Sneaker will make every day feel like the weekend.

It's available to pre-order now, and every $5 deposit is donated directly to mental health organizations like Brain & Behaviour Research Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser, The Trevor Project and To Write Love On Her Arms.