My True Power conference – Saskatchewan MFRC

Celebrating its third year in 2024, My True Power is a family-friendly workshop focusing on mental health, perseverance, and resiliency within the military community, while also creating community connections between people in and out of uniform.

This year, Central Saskatchewan Military Family Resource Centre (CSMFRC) planned the workshop for January to coincide with the “Bell Let’s Talk” campaign. “We did that purposely,” said Nadine Ingram, Family Services Program Coordinator at CSMFRC. “We want to add our voice to that bigger conversation and promote mental health awareness within the community, without any stigma.”

The My True Power workshop is open to all ages and to everyone – from Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and their families to civilian community members.

“We’re offering a family approach to mental health with workshops going on simultaneously for all family members,” said Ingram. “This will be a positive stepping stone in our efforts to be as inclusive as possible and educate as many people as possible in the mental health area of life.”

Based on feedback from previous workshops, CSMFRC has invited certified addictions counselor and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee award winner Brad Siroski to speak about men’s mental health, particularly how to overcome the stigma about needing and seeking help.

An interactive workshop on how to improve mental health as a family, a therapeutic art session, and a kid’s breakout session are other new features – the kids’ session will include mindfulness yoga specifically geared to children. Author and educator Laura Lawrence – also a Platinum Jubilee award winner – will run a breakout session with youth, and will give the afternoon keynote on mental health, mindfulness, and the effect of mental health on a family.

“Kids need to learn how to manage and cope with their big emotions,” said Ingram. “Our goal is that they understand that it is OK to feel what they are feeling.”

Thanks to support from the Bell True Patriot Love Fund – and donors like you – the Central Saskatchewan MFRC can offer the My True Power workshop (and lunch!) at no cost to its participants. Thank you!