Teddy Bear Invasion Set to Raise Youth Mental Health Awareness at Harrison Park

Aug 28, 2024

CMHA Grey Bruce Back to School Teddy Bear Picnic
Friday, August 30th, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Harrison Park, Owen Sound, ON

[Owen Sound, ON] – On Friday, August 30th, Grey Bruce families are invited to join the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey Bruce for the 8th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic, an event dedicated to youth mental health awareness. Held at Harrison Park in Owen Sound, this fun-filled day promises to be both interactive and informative, with a variety of activities designed to ease the stress and anxiety that can accompany the back-to-school season.

This free event, made possible by the sponsorship of Meridian Credit Union, features storytelling, sing-alongs, workshops, puppet shows, and more, all while raising awareness about the mental health resources available to children, youth, and families in the community. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own teddy bears, picnic blankets, and a sense of fun as they enjoy the day’s offerings.

Highlights of the event include games provided by St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, a Home Depot building workshop, the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library Story Tent, and contributions from organizations such as Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services, United Way of Bruce Grey, and OSHaRE. Public Health Grey Bruce will be on-site with a pop-up Vaccine Clinic and Healthy Smiles kits. Special guests will include walk-around characters like Buster from Owen Sound Police Services, Cubby from the Owen Sound Attack, and Boston Pizza’s Lionel. Families can also enjoy face painting, a photo booth, a free door prize raffle, and refreshments including hotdogs, lemonade, and freezies.

The day’s highlight will be the beloved Teddy Bear Parade, where attendees can proudly march around the park with their trusted teddy bear companions, symbolizing the support and resources available to families in Grey and Bruce counties.

The event aims to ensure every family leaves with a comprehensive package of local, provincial, and national mental health resources. CMHA Grey Bruce offers a wide range of programs focused on increasing mental health literacy among children, youth, and families, including peer support, family support, Recovery College, and training programs such as Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Alertness for Everyone (SafeTALK), and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). For more information about these programs and services, visit www.greybruce.cmha.ca.