Empowering Communities
Through Mental Health Equity

Mental health equity begins with programs rooted in community language, culture, and lived experience. Together, we create spaces for deep conversation, raise awareness, and connect to both our inner strengths and the support and services around us.

Community Engagement

Culture of Asking for and Offering Help

Supporting
Newcomers

Inclusive
Programs

Serving 250+ Community Members Annually

Support Guided by Community Voices

Meeting You Where You Are

Our organization was founded to work alongside ethnocultural communities in responding to their unique mental health needs. So far, we have worked with Iranians, Afghans, and Tajiks in Alberta, and we are excited to expand our reach and build connections with other communities. We stand for equity and the accessibility of care grounded in community culture.

Join us if you are a member of these communities and would like to attend supportive programs in your language and culture.

Upcoming Events

Join Us and Connect with Your Community

Online:
Nov 17, 24 & Dec 1, 8, 15, 2026
5 pm - 7 pm (MT)
In-Person: Nov 10, 2026
5 pm - 8 pm (MT)

Finding Our Way Through Uncertain Times

For Iranian adults living in Calgary
Language: Farsi

This free 13-hour hybrid workshop provides a space to pause, reflect, and explore what it means to live through uncertain times. Together, we will deepen our understanding of the mind-body connection, explore how ongoing stress and uncertainty affect our well-being, and practice ways to navigate difficult experiences and find anchors that support us through uncertainty and turbulence.

Online:
Sept 26, Oct 17, 24, 31 & Nov 7, 2026
10 am - 12 pm (MT)
In-Person: Oct 3, 2026
10 am - 1 pm (MT)

Raising Children Between two worlds

For Iranian parents in Calgary
Language: Persian

This program provides a space for Iranian parents to explore the challenges and experiences of parenting between two cultures. Together, we will discuss ways to help children stay connected to their Iranian culture and roots while growing up in Canada, strengthen parent-child relationships, and navigate cultural differences with greater understanding and connection.

Online:
Aug 17 & 31, 2026
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (MT)
In-Person:
Aug 22 & 23, 2026
11 am - 3 pm (MT)

Art and Talk: Youth Peer Support & Mentorship

For Afghan youth in Calgary
Language: English
Age: 14–25

This free 12-hour hybrid program offers a safe, welcoming space for young people to connect through art, meaningful conversations, and interactive activities. Together, participants will explore identity, emotional well-being, resilience, peer support, leadership, and belonging while building connections within their community.

Our Programs & Support Services

You’re Not Alone. Together, We Grow, Heal, and Build a Stronger Community.

Healing starts with finding support and a connection in your community.

Community Helpers Trainings

✓ Help for the Helpers (Adults)
✓ Help for the Helpers (Youth)
✓ Adult Helpers Training on Family Violence
✓ Youth Circle for Boundaries, Bond and Bystander Action: Real Talk on Respectful Relationships

Workshops

✓ The Art of Navigating Life’s Ups and Downs
✓ Raising Children Between Two Worlds
✓ Culturally-Informed Healing & Resilience

Support Groups

✓ Journey to Adjustment for Newcomers & Immigrants
✓ Art & Talk for Youth
✓ Journey to Adjustment: Men’s Circle
✓ Journey to Adjustment: Older Adults Circles

Mentorship & Coaching

✓ Coaching Sessions With a Mental Health Professional
✓ Guidance in Supporting Others
✓ Address Mental Health Stigma
✓ Support Community Members in Crisis

Join Us as a Volunteer

Join our volunteer community and make a meaningful difference.

Your time, skills, and contribution can make a meaningful difference in our community.

Our Sponsorships Help Us Promote the Advancement of Mental Health Equity

With funding support from the City of Calgary and the Government of Alberta, the CMHE team has developed programs for Farsi-speaking communities, including newcomers from Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan.

Find Your Path to Support

Connect with existing community resources or the clinical care you need to move forward.

What Our Programs Offer

Join the CMHE community and engage in deep conversation for healing and growth.

Culturally-Grounded Mental Health Support

Your cultural identity and lived experiences are woven into our programs. We aim to meet you where you are and start from what you already know.

Shared Experiences and Community Support

Community members can connect with peers in a safe, inclusive space to share personal stories, reduce feelings of isolation, and strengthen community bonds.

Practical Tools
for Everyday Challenges

Through interactive workshops and mindfulness practices, learn resilience-building techniques and effective communication to support personal growth.

Strengthening Families and Relationships

Build stronger relationships through sessions that address parenting across cultures, establish healthy boundaries, and help community members understand family dynamics.

Cultural and Creative Approaches to Healing

Creative workshops that use art, music, and storytelling help you make sense of your lived experiences and learn to cope.

Continued Guidance and Professional Support

Certified Community Helpers receive ongoing mentorship and coaching with regular supervision from mental health professionals to continue developing in their roles.

Community Voices

Adult feedback

“The facilitators have been explaining mental health issues that immigrants go through with so much depth, and I think we can use more of these in our community.”

“These courses have been very useful to me. I would really like to join this community, as I have truly missed Iranian gatherings back home.”

“I am really thankful to my friend for introducing me to this community. What I learned is how to overcome challenges in life, and that others also experience challenges—I am not alone.”

“Personally, I like how it is a Persian community, and it is a mix of different people who have immigrated 20 years ago and one year ago.”

“I like how it truly feels like a community—everyone is there for each other, and people are very understanding and empathetic. I would love to have more gatherings like this, and I think everyone here would agree.”

“I was going through a difficult time and felt very grateful to attend these sessions. I loved the content, particularly learning about resilience and communication. After each class, I felt lighter and more hopeful, and more able to manage the challenges of immigration.”

“I like strong community bonding that was here.”

“Being in a space where people shared their life experiences and supported one another was deeply meaningful.”

“The sessions supported mutual understanding and communication, helped build meaningful connections, and allowed us to get to know new friends. We were able to openly share the challenges and emotions we had been carrying inside, which brought a sense of relief and calm.”

“I learned how to support someone who has lost trust in life and how to help them gradually rebuild that trust.”

“I like that the program was in Dari.”

“The positive energy of the facilitators helped create the same feeling throughout the group. The sessions were well organized and thoughtfully led, and I truly appreciate everyone who contributed to making this program possible.”

“The strength of the program is that we think together and share our experiences.”

“One of the strengths of the program is that discussing these topics within families leads to positive changes.”

“What we learn in the sessions is taken home and shared with our families, creating meaningful conversations.”

Youth Feedback

“I enjoyed hearing about other teenagers’ experiences.”

“What I found helpful was knowing how to help someone who’s struggling with depression, and difficulties in life and being able to help them.”

“I enjoyed that we worked in a group as a whole, and everyone is trying to make people feel better.”

“I enjoyed sharing my opinion with the like-minded people. I loved how our opinions were valued by everyone specially by our mentor.”

“I gained knowledge about addiction that using a lot of social media is also an addiction, and we have to use it in our free time.”

Receive a Community
Helpers Certificate

Start empowering others and get equipped with the skills you need to help others.