WHO’s SHOWING UP

Rosie Del Campo

Anchor, CTV News

One in five people experience a mental illness.  As a community, we need to take a stand for mental health.  Let’s encourage more support and less shame. Make an effort to learn more and challenge the stigma.  I’m honoured to be an ambassador and invite you to join me to #ShowYourSole in support.

Bryan Larkin

Chief of Waterloo Region Police Services

Being a police officer is about more than just keeping community members safe. It’s about keeping them well. It’s about keeping them informed. And, it’s about letting them know that we are here to help when help is needed. That’s why the Waterloo Regional Police Service makes mental wellness a top priority – not only for our members, but for every person living in our vibrant community.

Georgia Cunningham

President, S.G. Cunningham

Psychological health and safety is as much of a priority as physical safety for our employees. S.G. Cunningham is making significant strides to change the culture in the construction industry. We are evolving the tough image of a construction worker, and opening up the conversation about mental health. Campaigns like #ShowYourSole help us to do this, and that is why I am proud to be an ambassador.

Carol Leaman

President & CEO, Axonify

Promoting mental health in the workplace benefits both employers and employees. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. It takes practise, patience and support. By providing a mentally healthy workplace, we are opening the lines of communication and creating mental health awareness. I am a #ShowYourSole ambassador to show my commitment to mental health awareness.

Greta Podleski

Author, Chef & TV Personality

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, yet we’re often afraid to seek help or speak up about the way we’re feeling. As a #ShowYourSole Ambassador, I’m showing up for the 1 in 5 who will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. Let’s talk openly about mental health!

Mike Farwell

Radio Host, 570 News

I know the importance of keeping an open dialogue. This is why I am an ambassador for the #ShowYourSole campaign. Collaborating on monthly ‘mental health check-up’ segments has allowed me to open the conversation about mental health. I’m certain that we’re positively impacting lives with our monthly “check-up” and I hope to do the same through this campaign.

Ben Fanelli

Former Kitchener Rangers Captain and Men’s Hockey Coach, UW

It takes strength and perseverance to tackle mental health issues. Support and encouragement make all the difference in recovery. As the former captain of the Kitchener Rangers, a coach for the University of Waterloo Warriors men’s hockey team and host of the podcast Heroic Minds, I’m always looking to find a way to help people, motivate, and inspire. It is an honour for me to be a #ShowYourSole ambassador and inspire people to reach out for help and make the changes needed to improve their mental well-being.

Fran Adsett

Restaurant Owner, Frannie’s Restaurant and Bakery

My family has been open about my daughter’s recovery from an eating disorder. The patrons of the restaurant and my family have a caring relationship. We speak openly about mental health to raise awareness and much-needed funds. I am pleased to be part of the #ShowYourSole campaign to continue to show my support for mental health initiatives.

Tara Hebblethwaite

Rogers KW Women of the Year 2019

I am a passionate advocate for mental health. I have, and still do, experience my own mental health issues; it is my hope that people won’t be fooled into silence by how well a person appears to be functioning. I was very good at putting on a mask while I was Miss Oktoberfest 2013 and hid my struggles. A person with a mental illness can be highly successful; they can define their mental illness, not let it define them.  As an ambassador for #ShowYourSole I am thrilled to continue my work with mental health awareness.

Cavell Johnson

Head Coach, Kitchener-Waterloo Titans

To those who struggle with mental health, I encourage you to say something, to talk to someone, to reach out to someone in whatever way you can. I encourage those who think someone may be struggling to reach out with kindness and compassion. As a #ShowYourSole ambassador, I want to continue my work in speaking about mental health, and to use the painful loss of my brother to help others. I don’t want anyone to have to struggle in silence.

Kurtis McBride

Co-founder / CEO of Miovision Technologies Incorporated

Your mental health is affected by numerous factors from your daily life, including the stress of balancing work with your health and relationships. Asking for help means that you want to make changes or take steps towards your new health goals. In my 20s I suffered from my own mental health challenges and had an opportunity to experience cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). CBT changed my life, and in my opinion should be taught in schools alongside math & science to all young people. We should celebrate the courage it takes to speak up and make changes.

Dave and Courtney Chilton

Author and Entrepreneur

As an author (Dave/”The Wealthy Barber”) and an entrepreneur who built a jewelry company around the inspirational magic of words (Courtney/Speechlust), we know the incredible power of open communication. It’s how we all connect. Truly connect. We are #ShowYourSole Ambassadors because we’re all in this together.

Bryan Stevens

First Responder

As a first responder for over 30 years I have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I know how important it is to build a team and take a multi-pronged approach to your mental health. As a #ShowYourSole ambassador I hope to encourage people to work towards prevention and receiving the help and support they need for mental health struggles. At our facility we provide you with the tools to manage your overall health challenges providing you a comforting place to feel healthy, feel safe, and feel strong ” Short Quote: “Let’s encourage help and support for those with mental health struggles.

Emma Leon and Esther Guy

Students

As students, it’s very important that we take action in raising awareness for those who are suffering with mental health. We’re showing our soles because we no longer want mental health to be a taboo topic on university campuses.