Sashbear Family Connections, Building Skills and Hope across Canada

One in four Canadians are affected by mental health challenges - and family members are on the front lines. Too often, they end up isolated and hopeless, becoming “collateral casualties” as they try to help their loved ones.  The Sashbear Foundation is a charity recognized as a leading voice for Canadian families impacted by emotion dysregulation, suicidality, and related mental health challenges. Sashbear trains and empowers family members to use and share life-transforming skills, building community and hope through evidence-based family programs, advocacy, and education.  With a national presence, Sashbear is bringing recognition to the reality that families play an integral role in supporting mental health and in transforming mental health services to be more effective.  Karen Dunk-Green is a Sashbear Family Connections Peer Co-Facilitator.