Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) FAIR AGENDA

A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT!

NOVEMBER 22, 2025

Edward Milne Community School

The purpose of this event is for ongoing public awareness of Mental Health, Substance Use resources available in the Sooke Region (East Sooke to Port Renfrew). 

PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE FOR UPDATES TO THE 2025 AGENDA

Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) FAIR AGENDA

A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT!

NOVEMBER 22, 2025

Edward Milne Community School

The purpose of this event is for ongoing public awareness of Mental Health, Substance Use resources available in the Sooke Region (East Sooke to Port Renfrew). 

12:00 - 4:15 Information Booths | Commons

Mental Health and Substance Use service providers who provide services IN the Sooke Region. 

A public engagement table (mural) will also be available for community to identify MHSU services / gaps are needed in the Sooke Region 

1:00 - 1:45  Opening Plenary | Theatre

Land Acknowledgment 

Welcome – Mayor Maja Tait  

Sooke Region Community Health Centre – Annemieke Houlthis, President, SRCHN 

Sooke Westshore Foundry – Kathy Easton, Implementation Director  

Q & A - 15 Minutes 

2:00 - 2:45  Workshop Presentations  

Substance Use & Overdose Prevention | Theatre 

Sam Elder, Founder Youth H.O.P.E (Health and Overdose Prevention Education) Mission – This is a 

presentation from a lived experience perspective.  Sam will speak about her recovery Journey and the 

formation of Youth H.O.P.E   

Suicide Prevention | Room TBA

Sandy Hodson, Operations Manager  and Sabrina Studney, Executive Director - This 

workshop aims to be an honest conversation about the experience of suicide and what we can do as 

individuals to create suicide safer communities in our schools, workplaces and beyond. We will discuss 

the power of normalizing talking openly about mental health and suicide and what supports and services 

are available for those struggling and those offering care. 

3:00 – 3:45  Workshop Presentations 

Supporting Anxious Children and Teens  | Theatre 

 Charmaine Campbell, MC, CCC, will be presenting  an opportunity to explore what anxiety is, what it 

looks like, and common triggers. She will also share ideas on how to support your child/teen including 

strategies, tools, and resources, and when to seek help. 

Let's Talk About Self-Harm | Room  TBA

Jessica Renfrew Frigon RSW MSW, is providing the workshop ‘’ with the goal of helping you gain a clearer understanding of self-harm behaviours - what they are and what they are not - and why they can feel so helpful to those utilizing them. She will debunk some common misconceptions, make suggestions 

on how to respond, and answer your questions. 

3:45 -4:30  Wrap Up | Commons

Closing Remarks, Food, Music, Prize Draws