The Beej Project
Committed to building a stronger, more resilient community through enhanced mental health education and research, a local Medicine Hat family has created a lasting legacy in memory of their son, brother, and husband, Brandon Niwa, affectionately known as Beej.
Through a generous donation to Medicine Hat College from the Niwa family, the Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – The Beej Project was created. Ongoing legacy funding is provided through the Niwa Family Fund with the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta.
Led by Medicine Hat College, a community advisory panel comprising representatives from Medicine Hat Public School Division No. 76, Prairie Rose Public Schools, Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, and Medicine Hat Police Service helps ensure the fund remains connected to the community it serves, reflecting a shared commitment to mental health education and research.
Many of the projects and presentations supported through The Beej Project have been recorded and archived, creating a lasting library of mental health resources for our community. See below to access these resources.
Project Initiatives
This grassroots initiative invites local professionals to share their expertise on a broad range of topics around mental health, creating compassion and a better understanding of individual experiences through personal stories and research-based knowledge, while providing insight into available tools and resources to build strength, resiliency, and overcome challenging experiences.
MENTAL HEALTH IN SPORTS
Willie Desjardins, head coach and general manager of the Medicine Hat Tigers
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UNDERSTANDING BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS pt. 1
Patti Wagman, Patti Wagman Counselling & Consultation
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UNDERSTANDING BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS pt. 2
Patti Wagman, Patti Wagman Counselling & Consultation
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PARENTING A CHILD WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS
Dr. Nicoelle Wanner, Health Matters Medical Clinic
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MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS SITUATIONS
Inspector Brent Secondiak, Medicine Hat Police Service
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WHAT THE HEALTH?
Ana Schlosser, Registered Provisional Psychologist
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ADHD
Dr. Angela Irvine, Registered Provisional Psychologist
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Mental Health and Family Violence
Natasha Carvalho, Executive Director of the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter
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Types of Trauma, Trauma Informed Care & Post Traumatic Care
Mark Wade, Health Care Aide Program Coordinator at Medicine Hat College
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Crafting Hope and Resilience in our Children
Greg Godard, Registered Psychologist
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Humanizing Mental Health
Jeremy Alcorn, Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
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The Power of Play
Nick Paquin, Registered Social Worker
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Mark Davidson, Superintendent, Medicine Hat Public School Division
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Perinatal Mood Disorders
Leah Fischer, Registered Provisional Psychologist
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Healthy Relationships
Melisha Franks, Registered Provisional Psychologist
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Indigenous Identity & Connection
Chasity Cairns, Manager, Indigenous Engagement And Student Support
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Policing, Perspective & Proactive Change
Travis Funk, Medicine Hat Police Service
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From Surviving to Thriving
Trevor Moore
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The Digital Wellness Coalition brings together parents, educators, and community partners to support healthy, informed digital engagement for youth. Check back for updates on upcoming events.
On May 6, 2021, the Government of Alberta announced provincial funding for HealthIM, a digital, subscription-based system that connects emergency responders with critical data on individuals suffering from unmanaged mental health challenges and/or substance use issues.
Among one of the first police agencies in the province to implement the app, officers with the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) now have access to valuable information such as an individual’s mental health history, possible triggers, and de-escalation strategies while they’re out in the field. This empathetic and evidence-based approach to emergency mental health crisis response has proven to increase safety of law enforcement personnel, improve crisis outcomes, promote more effective oversight, and reduce the impact on policing resources.
Through Medicine Hat College, the Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – The Beej Project proudly provided funding to cover the costs of technology required for the MHPS to launch HealthIM, including cell phones connected to the app for each officer. This partnership further created a unique opportunity for learning and applied research around mental health at Medicine Hat College, fulfilling a commitment set out by the Beej Project in providing enhanced mental health education and research in our community.
To learn more about this innovative mental health app and research opportunity, visit www.mhc.ab.ca/.
In partnership with Medicine Hat College, the team of mental health professionals and advocates at I Got Mind hosted a two-part webinar series to engage our region in important conversations around trauma, grief and loss.
Joined by former professional athletes and prominent community members, I Got Mind led the discussion by providing science-based insight as to what happens to us physiologically, emotionally, mentally, and physically when we experience trauma, grief and loss, ways to overcome and cope with our experiences, and shared personal stories of healing and resiliency.
Let's Talk about Trauma, Grief and Loss | Webinar # 1 Trauma
Bob Wilke, I Got Mind
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Let's Talk about Trauma, Grief and Loss | Webinar # 2 Grief & Loss
Bob Wilke, I Got Mind
Watch here
The Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – The Beej Project was proud to present Wisdom & Wellness: A Look at How Far We’ve Come, What We’ve Learned, and How We’re Doing Now, led by J. Kevin Cameron, Executive Director of the North American Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response Inc.
In his presentation, Mr. Cameron guided attendees in reflecting on their personal and societal experiences over the previous year and a half, sharing his professional knowledge and insights into the lessons learned, the understanding gained, and the perspectives needed to emerge from the pandemic as a healthy and resilient community. He also shared valuable insight into what post-pandemic mental health and functioning might look like on both an individual and societal level in the months ahead.
