Community Events in Barrie Spotlight Mental Health, Racism, and Access to Care

A series of recent community events in Barrie brought together local organizations and residents to shine a light on mental health awareness, the effects of systemic racism, and the urgent need for accessible support services. Central to the campaign was Flora’s Walk, organized in memory of Flora Babakhani, a mother who tragically died in 2022 from undiagnosed postpartum psychosis. The walk was led by Candice Thomas, CEO of Evergreen Wellness Studio, who emphasized that one in five women experience perinatal mental health challenges, and about one in 1,000 face postpartum psychosis.

Thomas stressed the critical importance of timely and affordable care: “If a mother is experiencing postpartum depression, they need to be seen now, not later,” she told Simcoe Community Media. In response to this gap in care, Evergreen Wellness and other local clinics are expanding free and reduced-cost therapy and group counselling options to help remove financial and scheduling barriers for those in need.

The event also featured participation from organizations like Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) and Vox Mental Health. Anneliese Kelley, a therapist with the Waypoint Centre, spoke about OSP’s no-cost, short-term cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) services for adults 18 and older. CBT provides practical skills for managing symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and trauma.

Laura Fess, Clinical Director at Vox Mental Health, highlighted the broader need for systemic solutions. She advocated for a mental health funding model similar to OHIP, which would make services more universally accessible. “People are the economy, and their wellness matters,” she said.

Beyond mental health, the events also focused on how racism affects well-being. Parents Against Racism Simcoe County continues to support local students and families, particularly in schools. Director of Operations Sarah Piert emphasized the power of empathy and active listening: “Always seek to understand someone else’s experience and point of view. And when they tell you what they've experienced, believe them,” she urged.

Simcoe County residents are also seeing new initiatives emerge from the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team, including the development of “Heart Hubs” — community-based centres aimed at tackling homelessness and addiction. Engagement Lead Kaylee MacMillan described it as “a work in progress” involving collaboration with multiple service partners across the region.

Together, these organizations are working to create a more informed, inclusive, and supportive community — one that recognizes the urgent need for mental health reform and the healing power of listening, collaboration, and compassion.