%20(1500%20x%20450%20px)%20(10).png)
EN
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aliquam libero lectus, efficitur at accumsan maximus, accumsan quis erat. Quisque venenatis maximus lacus, at rutrum metus laoreet sit amet. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Aenean ut posuere eros, vel suscipit est. Sed non iaculis velit. Cras ornare turpis accumsan turpis elementum, eu eleifend magna finibus. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Vivamus dignissim arcu ac tellus consequat gravida. Aliquam vel urna nisl. Curabitur rhoncus condimentum nibh, sit amet varius odio. Donec ornare diam sit amet arcu volutpat, ac lacinia lorem aliquam. Nulla vel odio non arcu lacinia egestas. Etiam ipsum neque, facilisis vel faucibus accumsan, bibendum in lectus. Curabitur dolor lectus, tincidunt quis est a, iaculis dignissim sem.Etiam gravida cursus tellus ut rutrum. Aliquam fermentum facilisis libero. Etiam vel risus erat. In sed sem et sapien mattis tincidunt non at tortor. Integer nec tincidunt purus, vitae vestibulum justo. Donec lectus nisl, accumsan sed magna ac, egestas euismod nisl. Donec tellus felis, volutpat vel dictum a, efficitur eget nisl. Cras congue ex at enim interdum consequat. Nam condimentum ac nunc in lacinia. Suspendisse quis tellus venenatis, accumsan dui ut, luctus massa. Mauris ultrices ornare eros, vitae lacinia mi vehicula quis. Praesent ac diam id magna varius accumsan. Duis ut lectus nec neque aliquet congue ac at eros. Duis ut ultrices justo. Praesent bibendum suscipit diam in feugiat. Nunc aliquam felis in mauris bibendum mollis. Nulla pulvinar facilisis feugiat. Fusce interdum.
News
It’s a struggle most people, at one point or another, have faced. It can be challenging and disheartening when it feels like nothing is working – regardless of what you do.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize that you’re not alone. TIES (The Immigrant Education Society) has helped more than 6,269 newcomers, and other Calgarians, access its mental health services in 2025. Those services were delivered with quiet, but noticeable impact.
“Beyond the numbers, our programs have made a real difference by creating low‑barrier, free, and timely access to mental health support,” Azita Afsharnejat, TIES Manager, Mental Health & Family Wellbeing said.
“Especially at a time when waitlists across Calgary are long and many people are left with few options.”
TIES supports mental health in many ways, including offering one-on-one counselling appointments through its Healthy Minds program. Clients get quick access to a counsellor, essential in times of need.
Just as importantly, TIES also helps foster a sense of community and belonging. Programs like BENCH, Tapestry, and Thrive Together create safe, welcoming spaces where groups of people realize they are not alone in their experiences.
“That feeling of connection, of being understood and supported by others is incredibly powerful and often just as impactful as the content itself,” Afsharnejat pointed out.
Above all, TIES proudly stated that its programs are both “human‑centred” and “community‑rooted”.
“We meet people where they’re at, without judgement or pressure, and help navigate if they do not fit our scope of services,” she added.
“Our staff and facilitators build genuine relationships. Participants leave feeling less alone and more hopeful, which is a powerful outcome.”
%20(1).jpg)
Accessing mental health services in Calgary and area continues to be a growing challenge. Wait times are long, resources are hard to navigate, and the funding is becoming increasingly stretched.
“Many Calgarians describe feeling like they’re caught in a loop being referred from one service to another, having to retell their story over and over again, and still not getting timely support,” Afsharnejat said.
TIES receives the core of the funding for its mental health programs through the City of Calgary. It has also received financial help through The Calgary Foundation and the Bell Let’s Talk initiative.
But, like many other programs, money is tight.
“Limited staffing capacity and funding pressures have constrained our ability to expand these offerings as fully as intended,” she said. “Programs became more responsive to complex needs and language barriers.”
Afsharnejat hopes that in the future, the nonprofit can continue to strengthen its role as a “consistent, low barrier” entry point to mental health support in Calgary – offering everyone the right level of support – at different stages of need.’
“With long waitlists and complex systems still a reality, it is essential that individuals and families know there is a place they can turn to for timely, accessible, and culturally responsive support.”
.jpg)
.jpg)
Client 1 Story:
Haliey came from a country where females were more “submissive”. She struggled with adjustment and interpersonal difficulties after she arrived in Canada.
In counselling, Haliey processed her unique cultural values, beliefs, and experiences for her to have a better understanding of cultural differences in communication styles, attitudes towards mental health, and beliefs about mental illness and treatment.
She was further helped to address any stigma associated with seeking mental health care.
Client 2 Story:
A young woman in her early 30’s came to TIES after experiencing nightmares, panic attacks, and severe anxiety stemming from the war in Ukraine.
These symptoms significantly impacted her ability to function at work. A recent flashback at work had left her feeling destabilized, prompting her to seek professional help.
Sessions focused on ensuring a safe and supportive space for her to express herself. Using grounding techniques and practical strategies, she was able to manage anxiety and regain a sense of control.
This woman was eventually able to grieve her losses and transition into this new reality.
Client Story:
When B.A. first walked into the moms’ group, she was quiet and reserved. With no formal education and no English, communication was a challenge. However, her eyes always lit up when she saw the circle of moms – women, who like her, were navigating motherhood in a new country.
Week by week, her confidence grew. Slowly, the interpreter became less needed. Now, B.A. joins the group fully in English – understanding, sharing, laughing, connecting.
Her daughter once said: "If we’re away for the weekend, and we want to stay longer, my mom always says no – she has to be back in time for her moms’ group."
For B.A. this is more than a program. It’s her community. It’s her growth. It’s her voice.
Client 1 Testimonial:
“In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I could open up in that way, but after the first two meetings, I began to feel more comfortable. Eventually, I found myself sharing my own experiences.
One of the most valuable lessons for me was understanding that my usual autocratic style of parenting doesn’t always work in every situation.
Before, when my children showed frustration or difficult behavior, I often responded with blame or control. However, COSP taught me to pause, and reflect.”
Client 2 Testimonial:
Since attending the COSP program, I've learned to balance taking charge as a parent with connecting with them kindly and from a more informed perspective.
The sessions were filled with valuable learning, concepts, self-awareness, and reflection. The best part was sharing our "circle stories" from our daily interactions with our kids; hearing from other parents helped me realize that we are all learning every day.
This knowledge has empowered me to continue being a safe haven for them.
Additional Resources:
https://www.tieshealthyminds.ca
https://cmha.ca/mental-health-week/
Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:
Tomasia DaSilva
Media and Relationship Strategist
Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca
Phone: 403-291-0002
Get involved with TIES on our social media platforms.
Leave a Comment