For many young people, stress and anxiety build quietly. Without support, those pressures can escalate to crisis. At EveryMind, we believe early support can change that path.

PAUSE is our annual giving campaign focused on creating space before challenges escalate. A pause to breathe. A pause to feel seen. A pause where support is available and hope can take hold.

• • P – Pause the pressure
  • A – Access support
  • U – Understand emotion
  • S – Stabilize and heal
  • E – Empower young people

Your gift does more than fund services. It creates space. Space for connection, for care, and for young people to find stability when they need it most. It is about helping young people pause before crisis and helping communities pause before burnout

To give you a sense of what that means:

• It’s a young person learning how to manage panic attacks and finally feeling safe leaving their house again.
• It’s a high school student returning to class after weeks of isolation and depression.
• It’s a family beginning to reconnect because their child is finally getting the support they need.

The impact of your donation would be immediate and lasting. It will directly reduce wait times, improve access to care, and give young people the tools they need to cope, heal and thrive.

To know more or to donate today, scan QR code below or click here – PAUSE: Creating Space for Mental Health Canadahelps

The year’s theme is taking a moment for mental health, encouraging Canadians to prioritize mental health and give mental health the moment it deserves:

• Moments to take care of and be in tune with your own mental health
• Moments to reach out to those around you, caring for their mental health
• Moments to recognize the societal importance of mental health

EveryMind is thankful for this effort to reduce stigma and foster positive changes in attitudes and behaviors surrounding mental wellness and illness.

In keeping with this year’s theme, we would like to spotlight our Group Services, which offers free and confidential evidence-based and evidence-informed groups and workshops to children, youth and parents/caregivers throughout the year.

Groups are not only a moment of reflection and learning, but also safe spaces for sharing and fellowship. They tackle a range of topics from building self-esteem and self-confidence, improving parent-child relationships, handling stress and anxiety, maternal mental health, giving and caregivers tools to help their children and themselves. Our groups include Go Girls, Boys Council, Mother-Daughter Circle for youth, and Learning About ADHD, Circle of Security and Parenting Your Anxious Child for caregivers. EveryMind also provides a virtual Treatment Group for anxious children between the ages of 9-12 called Camp Cope-A-Lot.

We have also recently launched a 5-part virtual workshop series for youth ages 17–24, who want real-life skills to boost their mental health. Each session is interactive and packed with real-life strategies that can be used right away.

All of our groups are offered to residents of Mississauga, Caledon and Brampton multiple times a year and in both virtual and in-person formats to meet the needs of families.

There are several different pathways for families to access groups at EveryMind. The easiest is online registration via WhereToStart.ca. If a family has an EveryMind clinician, the clinician can also recommend a group and can complete a registration form for a family.  This would be part of the client’s treatment plan and the group can be attended at the beginning, in the middle of, or at the end of treatment. External referrals can also occur from other community agencies that a family may be involved with.

Groups at EveryMind bring people together, they discover they are not alone and have commonalities with others by offering cohesion and peer support.  Groups provide an opportunity to learn, reflect, acknowledge and grow, all while participants feel like they belong and are finally understood.

Visit WhereToStart.ca and click on the Groups & Webinars tab to learn more and register.

To learn more about Bell Let’s Talk, you can visit www.letstalk.bell.ca.

Our Counselling & Therapy and Intensive Services teams supported young people and families navigate grief, anxiety, trauma, cultural pressures, depression, and suicidal ideation, helping them build resilience and reconnect with hope. Our Youth Counselling Team also launched new DBT Skills Workshops, offering practical strategies youth described as transformative.

Across programs, clinicians expanded their expertise in the ARC Framework, Circle of Security, EMDR, TF-CBT, TAPP-C, and the interRAI Early Years platform. Our Respite Program fully transitioned to our beautiful Caledon campus, adding an additional evening and increasing our ability to support more children while giving caregivers space to rest and reconnect.

Our EarlyON Resource Consultants and Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS) teams demonstrated the power of inclusive care helping infants and young children with extra support needs thrive in childcare and EarlyON settings through close collaboration with families, educators, the Region of Peel, Community Living agencies, and ErinoakKids.

Our Crisis Response Services Team continued to anchor families during their most vulnerable moments, expanding trauma-informed training for new Peel Regional Police constables and presenting to the HEAL Network on supporting families affected by violence. Our Wraparound team also fostered connection events for youth and caregivers, creating opportunities to feel safe, welcomed, and part of a community. Through it all we strengthened system partnerships with schools, hospitals, and police services, and contributed to provincial initiatives like the Ontario Intensive Treatment Pathway and Coordinated Access Working Group.

To our clients, partners, donors, and volunteers – thank you for trusting us in this impactful work. Here’s to another year of connection, learning, and hope.

Karen Anslow
Director, Clinical Services

Thanks to the incredible efforts of our staff, the phenomenal enthusiasm of the Tim Hortons stores, and the generosity of our community, the campaign raised an outstanding $71,423.08 for EveryMind! Overall, the Mississauga stores raised $142,846.18, with the remaining 50% supporting Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, our staff and our clients, I would like to thank the 73 Tim Hortons franchises in the city that took part in the campaign. The store owners and restaurant teams were true partners and an integral part of the campaign’s success,” said CEO Ceri Harnden.  “And to every single person who bought one of these delicious cookies, your thoughtful gesture will contribute to changing the lives of many children, youth and families in Mississauga. This is the best holiday gift we could have asked for, and it will be put to great use in supporting our vision of children and youth resilient and thriving!”.

Our staff and volunteers were out in full force at participating stores across Mississauga, decorating cookies, meeting with customers, and sharing information about our services. In addition to the fundraising opportunity, it was also a chance to destigmatize mental health services for those in need and start important conversations around mental health and well-being.

According to Tim Hortons, $13 million was raised through this year’s 2025 Holiday Smile Cookie campaign across Canada.

“We are so grateful to Tims restaurant owners, team members and volunteers across the country for their dedication to making this year’s Holiday Smile Cookie campaign a huge success,” said Axel Schwan, president of Tim Hortons. “A huge thanks goes out to the countless Tims guests who purchased Holiday Smile Cookies for their generosity. With 100 per cent of proceeds from every cookie sold donated to local charities, community groups and Tims Camps, ​you’ve helped make a real difference in your community.”

Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign first launched in 2023 and has now raised a total of $33.5 million for local charities and community groups, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

Check out the photos of this fantastic team effort!

“As EveryMind Mental Health Services celebrates its 40^th  year of service to the Peel community, I am thrilled to share that our 10^th Evening of Hope gala “Imagine the Future. Celebrate the Legacy.” is our most successful gala to date! On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff and clients, I would like to thank all our sponsors and attendees who lit up the evening with their presence, energy, passion and generosity to advance the mental health of children, youth and their families in Peel. Together, we are bringing hope, healing, and brighter futures to young lives. Together, we are making a difference,” said CEO Ceri Harnden.

Presented by Bell Let’s Talk, guests at the sold-out event welcomed included local elected officials, community partners such as Peel Regional Police, and supporters, old and new.

The evening began with a cocktail reception sponsored by King Masonry Yard Ltd and our always-popular silent auction supported by CTDI. Our photo booth was as raucous as ever and portraits by Pat the Popular Caricature Artist were well-received. The evening’s entertainment included incredible musical performances by Olivia Chameroy and a stand-up comedy act by Dylan Gott.

CEO Ceri Harnden took a moment to introduce our recently-released Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 to the audience, while our guest speaker Mary moved the audience to a standing ovation with her honest recounting of her mental health journey and the support provided by EveryMind.

Guests also enjoyed engaging activities like the wine pull, mystery gifts, and a dazzle bar, with volunteers and the evening’s MC Lyndsay Morrison from CTV News enthusiastically supporting these efforts.

Thanks to generous local business sponsors like Kotak Law and Holman, long-standing partner Scotiabank and a new supporter, Ikea, the gala was an outstanding success, an evening filled with laughter, fun, and hope. Check out some photos of this evening to remember on our Facebook page!

From Nov 17 to Nov 23, the proceeds from every Smile Cookie sold at these locations will support EveryMind’s services mental health services for children, youth and families in Peel as well as Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie is a delicious white chocolate sugar cookie infused with red and green sprinkles and hand-decorated with a white icing smile face. Each cookie costs $2 this year, and in 2024, $10.7 million was raised through the Holiday Smile Cookie campaign.

Ceri Harnden, EveryMind’s CEO, said, “On behalf of EveryMind’s Board of Directors and dedicated staff, I offer a heartfelt thank you to the 73 Mississauga-based Tim Hortons stores for choosing to support us and contributing to our Vision, where all children and youth are resilient and thriving. I cannot think of a better way to kick off the holiday season! The Tim Hortons partnership is particularly appreciated this year as EveryMind celebrates our 40^th anniversary of making a difference in the lives of children and youth struggling with emotional and behavioural concerns. EveryMind will be celebrating the important work we do during the cookie campaign, and we invite you to join us. Please visit a participating Tim Hortons between November 17-23 to purchase a Smile Cookie for only $2 to show your commitment to building a community where the mental health and well-being of our children is a top priority. It will make you smile.”

For a full list of locations that are supporting EveryMind in this year and for more information about the Smile Cookie campaign, please click here – Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign | EveryMind

Board President Nainesh Kotak began the evening by welcoming the donors, EveryMind board members, our senior leadership, staff members and guests.

Chief Executive Officer Ceri Harnden acknowledged all the donors present, commenting on how their continued support of our mission and vision is a testament to the importance of the work we do and the impact we have.

 CTDI, Bell, Habib Canadian Bank, King Masonry Yard, Knights of Columbus 12372, Knights of Columbus 12782, Peel Elementary Teachers Local, Mississauga Central Lions Club, Kotak Law, RBC Foundation, Peel Regional Police and Peel Police Service Board were among the donors present and felicitated by EveryMind’s board and senior leadership team.

 Presenting a cheque for $15,000 in support of youth/young adult group programs, Marie Podnar of Crown Jewels for Mental Health spoke of how her experience as her sibling faced mental health challenges drives her advocacy and donations.

 Rotary Club Mississauga Meadowvale and TD Bank also presented cheques for $6,500 and $25,000, respectively, which will support counselling and therapy services offered to youth and young adults in Peel.

One of our young clients, who has struggled with self-harm and addictive behaviours, took to the podium to bravely speak of his journey and how EveryMind’s counselling team has supported him throughout.

At EveryMind, our mission is to be a trusted partner positively impacting the lives of children and youth through high-quality mental health care and our vision is to see children and youth resilient. We are grateful to all our donors, who work with us to sustain our programmes and support our mission, vision and values, and therefore, our communities.

For more pictures from the event, please click here.

EveryMind’s Crisis Response Service offers 24/7 support, 365 days a year, if you are experiencing a mental health crisis that is not life-threatening but would benefit from a supportive response. Crises may include feeling depressed, worried, and/or experiencing suicidal thoughts. Parents/caregivers can also call if they are concerned about a child’s safety or behaviour. When you call EveryMind’s 24/7 Crisis Response Service at 905-278-9036 and press 1, you will be connected to a crisis worker who will talk to you about what you’re going through and help you make a plan. We can also help you get connected to ongoing supports.

Free brief child and youth mental health consultations are available by appointment at Tangerine Single Session Counselling in person, by telephone or video. Tangerine provides free 45-minute single-session mental health consultations for children, youth and families living in Peel. Appointments are available Monday to Thursday from 10am until 8pm and Fridays from 10am to 5pm.

For access to free and confidential child and youth mental services in Peel, visit wheretostart.ca. If you live in Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon and would like to find out about mental health                services that can help you, please call 905-451-4655 and leave a voicemail message or fill out this              form and a member of our team will contact you within 1-2 business days. We respond to                            messages Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.

We have online and in-person groups and workshops for children and youth as well as caregivers on topics ranging from managing stress and anxiety to parenting strategies. New this year are our DBT-informed offerings and a caregiver group in French.

One Stop Talk provides virtual brief counselling services to children and youth under 17.

Please note all video-based services use secure online platforms for healthcare to protect your privacy.

Best of luck for the 2025-26 school year! Remember, we’ve got your back!

As Lead Agency for child and youth mental health services funded through the Ministry of Health and the  largest Core Service Provider in Peel Region, we are proud of our 40-year history of making our communities healthier and happier for all by putting the mental health needs of infants, children, youth, young adults and families first.

This past year, the Peel community has seen an unprecedented growth in demand for mental health services. This report focuses on how EveryMind has been there to offer care, support and treatment to vulnerable children, youth and families, who struggle with mental health challenges but also on how we continue to build upon our strengths and advance in our quality improvement journey.

Click on the images below to read the report now!

The $20,000 in funds received have supported our 24/7 Crisis Response Service by helping sustain the clinicians who deliver immediate mental health care to children, youth, and families. This essential service reduces distress during wait times, provides urgent support when needed, and ensures connections to ongoing care and resources.

When asked about the need for the service, Kyle Martin, who is a member of our Crisis Response team, said, “Let’s be honest: being a teenager is not, and has never been, an easy task. From developmental and physiological changes to increased independence to societal challenges and expectations, teenagers have the difficult task of learning about the world around them while simultaneously navigating their way through it. Ideally, these teenagers have a support system to help guide them through this journey whether that be parents, grandparents, teachers, or other caregivers. However, there are times where young people are left to experience these years with minimal guidance before they are emotionally and physically prepared. As a crisis service that prides itself on providing inclusive support to all children, teens, and families, the EveryMind Crisis Team creates a circle of support for these teenagers and acts as that guide to meet them where they are and support them with remaining safe and navigating the journey to adulthood.”

When asked about the importance of supporting EveryMind’s mental health services to children and youth, Lorraine Crow, Director of Grants and Community Initiatives at the Mississauga Foundation, replied, “The Mississauga Foundation is a community foundation that empowers individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to contribute to the thriving well-being of Mississauga, creating a lasting and positive social impact. The Mississauga Foundation is proud to have granted over $380,000 to EveryMind for essential programming for child and youth mental health in Mississauga.  Together, we are committed to supporting free and confidential services, including assessment, treatment and education delivered by the health professionals at EveryMind.”

Since 2001, the Mississauga Foundation has been connecting generosity with community needs, fostering a vibrant and resilient city. Through thoughtful collaboration with donors and the wider community, the Foundation invests in building a strong, inclusive Mississauga. By offering tailored endowment solutions, they help create lasting legacies that strengthen our city for generations to come. To find out more about the Mississauga Foundation, visit the website at www.mississaugafoundation.ca.

To access EveryMind’s 24/7 Crisis Response Service, call 905-278-9036 and press 1 to be connected to a crisis worker, who will talk to you about what you’re going through and help you make a plan.