Brain Training – Smashing the Stigma
YOUR COURAGE IN ACTION – FROM COAST MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
When they first heard about Brain Training, residents at Alouette Heights laughed.
“We don’t want to train our brains. To do what!?” Terra shared.
Today, Wendy, Terra and Pat are all regulars at the weekly session. There, thanks to you, they play brain games, improve their memory, learn coping strategies and other skills. This transformative program helps people living with mental illness rebuild cognitive function and reclaim independence.
“Sometimes I get overwhelmed by too many things going on once, and I just want to like shut down. So it’s helped me learn to how to do that in a way that’s not hurting other people’s feelings” shared Terra.
“It’s making a difference,” adds Wendy. “I feel better after it’s done, and I’m glad I came.”
Brain Training is the only initiative of its kind in the province. We combine clinically proven techniques like Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Recreation Therapy to improve memory, attention, executive functioning, and emotional regulation.
Clients helped create this flexible program. It gives people with complex needs like addiction, psychosis, or unstable housing a way to get care they’re often left out of.
Smash the Stigma
Recently, the Brain Training team ran a powerful exercise to tackle negative thoughts and perceptions.
Participants started by writing stigmatizing words they’ve been called on a canvas.
Addict, disgrace, silly, the family embarrassment, lazy, junkie were just some of the words.
Next, they threw paintballs at them until they were fully covered up.
Once it was dry, they wrote positive words on top, reclaiming the canvas. Words like acceptance, love, happy, honesty.
“These words, we know they exist, and we’re called them constantly, but we never acknowledge it or how it feels. It doesn’t feel safe to do it when we’re alone but as a group it feels like a big relief. A big breath out.” one participant explained.
The canvas is proudly displayed in their common area, where they can see it every day.
You make moments of connection, of pride and growth like these possible. Thank you.
Read more about your impact in Coast Mental Health Foundation’s latest gratitude report.
