(Photo provided by Jackie Ralph)
The first Annual Back to School Drive Thru held by the Canadian Mental Health association has been deemed a great success.
Held on Sept. 1, the event was a change from when the CMHA normally holds the Back to School Teddy Bear Picnic for Youth Mental Health at Harrison Park.
The event has been in operation for five years and is used as a way to provide resource information to support and reduce anxiety in some children returning to school. It would normally draw up towards 300 children, youth, parents, and caregivers for an afternoon of games, music and raffles while also providing take home bags full of program information and other materials.
CMHA Youth Awareness & Education Supervisor Jackie Ralph, notes that with the ongoing pandemic they were not able to hold the event properly in Harrison Park this year so they opted to hold a drive thru event.
Ralph says the event drew over 50 people from JK to highschool where they were able to converse with families and students about the return to school and all of the supports available to them.
The “reverse parade” drive thru event had several booths with local organizations including Keystone Child, Youth and Family services, Big Brother and Big Sisters, Grey Bruce Health Unit, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, the Owen Sound North Grey Union Public Library, and the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce.
A couple local celebrates also made an appearance at the event, Cubby from the Owen Sound Attack, Lionel from Boston Pizza and Buster from the Owen Sound Police Services.
Ralph notes depending on the Covid situation, they may hold an in-person as well as drive-thru event for next year.
Ralph says if anyone needs mental health assistance, they are encouraged to reach out the CMHA.