Finding Confidence on the Mountain
YOUR COURAGE IN ACTION – FROM COAST MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Mental health support does not always happen in a classroom or an office. Sometimes, it happens out in nature, while trying something new.
This past winter, members of Coast Mental Health’s Young Adult Program joined staff for a snowshoeing trip to Grouse Mountain. The experience left a lasting impact on one participant, a young refugee living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, and extensive trauma.
A staff member shared:
“We met recently, and I saw a noticeable shift in his presentation, a spark of confidence that I’d never seen before. When I asked him what had changed, he shared that it was snowshoeing. The mountain has become a milestone moment for him. He learned that he can trust himself, that he can do hard things and it is completely worth it. There was a noticeable increase in his confidence and self-esteem, which is something he has been struggling with quite intensely.
Snowshoeing gave him the opportunity to challenge himself and try something new with the support of staff. He struggles chronically with extensive trauma and PTSD, and it is a huge milestone for him to snowshoe. He now uses that experience as a coping skill – when he’s feeling intense emotions, he visualizes being back on the mountain, and remembers the beauty and peace he experienced there.”
Building confidence through adventure
At Coast, outdoor activities and adventure therapy are not simply recreation. They are opportunities for growth, healing, and resilience. Snowshoeing, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and other outings create safe spaces where members can connect with peers, challenge themselves, and discover new strengths.
This is the profound difference your support makes possible. Programs like the Young Adult Clubhouse exist because of generous people like you. You are not only providing lifelines, but also giving young people experiences that build confidence, restore hope, and equip them with lasting tools for recovery.
Read more about your impact in Coast Mental Health Foundation’s latest gratitude report.
