In Unity

Building a healthy community is about supporting mental wellness and access to resources for all.

In Unity takes place on World Mental Health Day, which is on October 10th of each year. It is a full-day open and free public event to share conversation and to showcase talents and knowledge while raising awareness of resources in our City and region. Through performance, art, and community resources, we seek to spark discussion and stand together in unity.

With our partners and participants, we host open discussions, information presentations, activities, provide food and free swag, and offer musical and spoken word performances. Each year the event may look a little different depending on funding and what participants would like to bring to the table.

Our last In Unity event in 2024 highlighted the World Federation for Mental Health theme: “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.”

The 2025 theme was “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” This page will be updated once the 2026 theme has been announced.

“In general, even though employment is positive, some working patterns can be detrimental for health when they lead to increased stressors including long work hours, night shifts and weekend work when there are not enough rest periods or being around harmful substances. Such stressors are associated with burn-out and other stress- related mental health problems, absenteeism and presenteeism, and reductions in productivity with a personal and societal cost. Despite knowing that employment when work conditions are favourable is good, many people who have experienced mental health difficulties choose not to disclose these issues to employers because of fear of stigma and discrimination.

We need employment laws that adequately protect and support people who disclose and have mental health difficulties. Mental health should be a globally protected characteristic enabling the development of healthier more supportive workplaces. We all have the right to a safe and healthy environment at work. Employment is good and supports mental well-being. Being productive and not isolated also decreases risk factors for suicide.”

Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro MBE JP

World Federation of Mental Health Secretary-General

For one full day, we recognize that those suffering from mental illness and/or substance use disorder, and their loved ones, never get a break from it.

While the original intent for In Unity was to run dawn to dusk, our 2026 event will have shorter hours to be determined. This day takes a village of people to coordinate and see through. We’re seeking service providers who would be able to host a table throughout the majority (if not all of) the event, or a breakout room discussion or workshop. We want to keep a main-stage going throughout the day with spoken word, talks, presentations, and musical performances. There will be comfort foods and beverages provided throughout the day. Please consider volunteering your services and/or time in this multi-dimensional networking and participation event.

Resources

Host an Information Table or Activity

For mental health service providers, this event is a great way to make your services known to the public while connecting you with potential new clients or even service provider partners. Host give-aways, provide brochures and program information, give out swag, or just be there to speak with those who visit your table. If you provide mental health services, crisis intervention, addictions support, or wellness activities, we’d love to have you at the event. There’s no cost to host a table, but please register early so we can plan out space and activities accordingly.

Volunteers

Help the Event Day Run Smoothly

We need help to make sure that this event functions as it needs to. We welcome any volunteers who wish to be on the planning committee (likely two or three check-in meetings through September). Volunteers will be needed to survey attendees, assist with interactive activities and stage management, and help with set-up, take-down, serving food, and tidying throughout the day.

presenters

Perform, Speak, or Share Your Gifts

Throughout the day there will be a mainstage with a full schedule of musical performances, presentations, spoken word, and guided activities. Please provide an outline of what you would like to present, along with any specific times you’re available (or not available) on the 10th. Each presenter will be given a maximum of 45 minutes, unless previously arranged with DCCS (such as for a workshop or movie screening). Honorariums will be provided if funding is secured to do so.

Become an In Unity Sponsor

We’d love to chat about how you can sponsor the 2026 In Unity event. Whether that’s by donating food or refreshments, door prize items, providing volunteers, or cash to go toward venue and honorarium expenses. This event takes an entire village to run, and we’d love for you to be part of that village! Please email Caitlyn Triebel or complete the form below.

Get Involved

If you would like to participate as a service provider, presenter, sponsor, volunteer, or anything else, please complete the form below.

Contact Name:

Organization (if applicable):

Email:

Phone:

Please indicate how you would like to be involved (check all that apply):

Host a service provider or resource table Speak, present, or perform Planning committee Volunteer during event (hospitality, surveys, activities, stage management) Set-up / Take-down at event Help with promotions Contribute food, supplies, or financial support Other (please describe your vision)

Please tell us more about how you'd like to participate:

What are your technical and set-up requirements?

What will your time availability be on October 10th?

From the 2019 Event:

In Unity 2019 was the first time we hosted a mental health event. We knew at the time that we wanted to do more for the community, and that mental health continues to be a crisis for many rural northern cities. DCCS was already connected with several service providers through networking meetings, and people were happy to get onboard with the event. Hosted at the Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts with the venue fees waived by the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre Society, the event had no overhead costs. Food and refreshments were provided by South Peace Community Resources Society, and mental health resources were provided by Beyond the Blues through Crisis Centre BC. The United Way of Northern BC also helped with various associated costs including printing and additional swag/resources.

There were more than 16 service providers with tables set-up during the event. Each table and presenter had their own emoji sticker. These stickers were handed to each attendee who visited a table or watched a presentation. As attendees collected stickers, they completed a “passport” which had a survey on the backside which collected basic demographic information. Once a passport had 9 stickers, it was entered into a door prize draw. The passports served several functions: they encouraged attendees to engage with service providers and activities (requiring them to have 9 different points of contact), and they gathered essential data for providers, organizers, and funders.

Between 10 AM and 8 PM, we had roughly 500 people through the event. Some attendees stayed for several hours, while others passed through or came to watch performances or presentations. Attendees were also encouraged to donate when they could, and all donations from the event were given to ON OUR OWN, Dawson Creek Mental Health Consumer Support Society.

In sum, it was a day for people to talk about a subject that we often keep hidden or swept under a rug. The effort in 2019 was to #BreaktheStigma on suicide prevention, a theme established by the World Health Organization for World Mental Health Day that year.