This year, I had the opportunity to attend Healthy Minds Canada‘s annual fundraising and awareness event, The Silver Dinner, held at the Westin Harbour Castle last week. Healthy Minds Canada is an organization which provides research funds to universities and hospitals for mental health-related projects, which will allow our society to become more educated and less ignorant about the topic. The more information we know, the less likely we, as a society will stigmatize the issue.
Steven Page performs
The dinner, which was emceed by CTV news personality, Mary Ito, also featured a keynote speech and short performance by former Barenaked Ladies singer, Steven Page. Steven has recently been fairly forward about his depression, and to be quite honest, I never never really connected many of his songs to depression until the event. The event also included both a silent and live auction, with items ranging from concert tickets (Rod Stewart and Beyoncé) to art, dinners and more. Attendees were able to bid on items prior to the dinner as well as during “breaks” in between courses and speeches.
Cynthia trying out the Muse headband
In addition to viewing and bidding on items prior to the meal, attendees were able to read up on mental health awareness in various displays throughout the space. There was also a booth for Muse, a “brain sensing” headband and program that can “read” llows individuals to control games, reduce stress and more using brainwaves.
One of the many silent auction items
The event was fairly “standard” for a sit-down fundraising dinner (auction, cocktails, chicken or pasta main courses, speeches, etc…), but it definitely brought in support and awareness of both mental health and the organization itself. It was interesting to hear not only how Steven Page dealt with his depression, but also from a mother, who spoke about her son and how he and the family dealt with his mental illness.
Healthy Minds Canada is always looking for people to become involved. To find out how to volunteer or if you are interested in supporting the organization, please visit their website.
