As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mayor’s Luncheon took place at McKenna Hall yesterday afternoon for the first time since 2019.  

The event, which is hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Weyburn Branch, is usually held every year. 

cmha"May the flowers remind us why the rain was so necessary." 

“It is really exciting,” said Tasha Collins, Director of the CMHA, Weyburn Branch. “We had a sold-out crowd, so I think under 200 people, we had 25 tables set up.” 

Collins added that it was a wonderful event. 

“We had a great attendance, great speakers, great performers, and it was it was just a really big success, so thank you.” 

The speakers included Joni Hagen, Tasha Collins, Erskine Sandiford, Mayor Marcel Roy, Terry Romanow, Phyllis O'Connor, and Guest Speaker Lauren Kohl.  

cmhaTasha Collins
cmhaMayor Marcel Roy
cmhaLauren Kohl

Kohl, who is from Montmartre, shared the story of her mental health with a speech, as well as a video of her performing a dance. 

“So, this dance that I showed was recorded in 2019 and I performed it during that competition season,” said Kohl. “It just kind of talked about briefly the struggles that I went through during my anxiety. My brother helped me record it.”   

Kohl said she began speaking at events around four years ago.  

“It actually started with a lady in Montmartre named Christalee Froese. She started the More Joy Event, and she asked me to speak at it,” said Kohl. “Then she asked me to speak at another one of her events. The only other event I’ve spoken at is at Kipling School.” 

Kohl added sharing her story has taken a lot of weight off her shoulders.  

“I think no matter what, even if you just had a bad day, you need to talk to someone about it, even if you don’t think it’s that severe.” 

Not only were there speakers at the event, but a vocal ensemble as well, which was conducted by Kendra Gonczy and accompanied by Colleen Weimer.

cmhaThe vocal ensemble