Providing support to help people live their best lives
Crisis Counselors * Educational Programs * Inbound Support Contacts

CMHA Central Alberta has been in Red Deer for over 55 years, supporting the mental health needs of Central Albertans in any way that we can. We do this by providing non-judgmental and respectful support and encouragement to everyone who comes through our doors. Mental health is always an important issue for all of us, but this past year has really pushed all of our mental health to the limits. People who have never struggled with their mental health before have reached out this year, and those with ongoing needs have had even more pressure put on them. The Canadian Mental Health Association is a charitable organization and, locally, we provide many services to support people in living their best lives. Whether it’s through a crisis counselor that you can call without an appointment or a systems navigator to help fill out forms and make phone calls, to educational programs that teach skills to use in your daily life, we try to make sure that there is always a program that can help you no matter what you are going through.

Providing mental health awareness and education through school programs, public speeches, and fundraising events.

Lindsey More was a beautiful person inside and out. Her contagious laugh, charming and outgoing personality, big heart , and warm smile hid something 1 in 5 Canadians battle within any given year - mental illness.*

September 20th, 2015 was a day that forever changed the lives of those close to Lindsey. After battling with depression from her late teen years Lindsey took her own life. It was a shock to everyone, especially to those who did not know that she was fighting with this illness, even some of those who knew did not understand as she did not fit the description of what we are told someone with depression should have. Anyone who knew Lindsey knew her as someone who would do anything to make sure everyone was happy and not alone and their memories of her are full of love, laughter and adventure. Humour and passion for helping others hid the sadness that eventually took over her mind.

Before Lindsey's passing she had spoken to her parents about what she was going through, they did everything they could with what they
knew so they could get Lindsey help, but for her it was a frustrating process especially when it came to the financial side of it. While mental illness accounts for more than 10% of the burden of disease in Canada, it receives just 7% of health care dollars and almost a third of Canadians who seek mental health care report that their needs are unmet or partially met. The rate is even higher for children and youth.*

After the sudden passing of a friend who also took his life a year before, Lindsey was determined to make a change. She had discussed with her Dad, Rick, to start a foundation that would raise money to help children, teens and young adults who are fighting mental illness but do not have the financial support to get the proper help needed. Unfortunately Lindsey did not live to see her foundation come to life, but her love for helping others will continue even though she is not with us.

Just weeks after losing Lindsey, her parents made a promise to make Lindsey's dream of helping others fight this illness come true and with the help of many others they started the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation.

Supporting individuals and families in their pursuit of healthy relationships, mental health wellbeing; housing stability and self-sufficiency.