From nurses to musicians, Battlefords honours community mental heath champions

Champion of Mental Health – Event

Ava Bahrey, left, accepts the Champion of Mental Health Event Award on behalf of herself and Diana Gryba during the Canadian Mental Health Association Battlefords branch’s Champions of Mental Health awards event, themed Threads of Resilience, in North Battleford on May 9, 2026. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

The Champion of Mental Health Event Award went to Ava Bahrey and Diana Gryba for organizing A Little Help From My Friends, a youth-led concert supporting mental health initiatives.

In a written message read during the ceremony, Gryba said she has seen increasing numbers of music students, family members and friends struggle with mental health challenges.

“Most folks who are struggling need a little help,” she wrote. “This kind of event brings people together, and gives them a place to talk about their own experiences and challenges without judgment and shame.”

Bahrey described music as “an outlet of joy and light” and credited her late father, Kelly Bahrey, for inspiring her commitment to community service.

Champion of Mental Health – Community Awards

Nancy Schultz, left, and Les and Donna Olson, accepting in memory of Patrick Olson, were recognized with Champion of Mental Health Community Awards during the Canadian Mental Health Association Battlefords branch’s Champions of Mental Health awards event in North Battleford on May 9, 2026.

Community awards were presented to Nancy Schultz and the family of the late Patrick Olson.

Schultz was recognized for supporting youth, schools and families while helping reduce stigma around mental health in the community.

“What I’ve learned is that sometimes the most meaningful thing we can offer someone is to simply show up,” she said while reflecting on changes in mental health awareness during her years in education.

Patrick Olson was remembered for his generosity, compassion and commitment to helping others. Organizers said he “made a huge difference” through his work and through the support he showed family, friends, strangers and the wider community.

The ceremony also highlighted the Olson family’s ongoing support for CMHA members through an annual beach day gathering inspired by Patrick’s love of the outdoors, where participants spend time together and enjoy activities.

Accepting the award in his memory, Les and Donna Olson said even small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact.

“Eye contact and talking to somebody, all those things can just impact somebody so profoundly,” they said.

Champion of Mental Health – Employee Awards

Daniel Villeneuve, left, and Adrianna Richard were recognized with Champion of Mental Health Employee Awards during the Canadian Mental Health Association Battlefords branch’s Champions of Mental Health awards event in North Battleford on May 9, 2026. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Employee awards recognized Daniel Villeneuve and Adrianna Richard for frontline support work in the community.

Villeneuve, known as “Chief,” was honoured for helping unhoused individuals through the Friendship Centre’s Reaching Home housing program, which supports clients in finding and maintaining stable housing.

Richard, a community mental health nurse, was recognized for her compassion and advocacy for clients and families.

Champion of Mental Health – Employer Award

Mercy George of Dejma’s Curry House accepts the Champion of Mental Health Employer Award during the Canadian Mental Health Association Battlefords branch’s Champions of Mental Health awards event in North Battleford on May 9, 2026. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

The employer award went to Dejma’s Curry House for creating employment opportunities for individuals involved in reintegration and employment programs connected to Saskatchewan Hospital and Prairie Employment.

Owner Mercy George said the restaurant strives to be “a welcoming place where people can come together, connect, and feel comfortable.”

Champion of Mental Health – Legacy Awards

From left, Laurie Klima and Marion Palidwor pose after receiving Champion of Mental Health Legacy Awards during the Canadian Mental Health Association Battlefords branch’s Champions of Mental Health awards event, themed Threads of Resilience, in North Battleford on May 6, 2026. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Legacy awards honoured Laurie Klima and Marion Palidwor for decades of contributions in mental health care and advocacy.

Klima, recognized for more than 25 years supporting approved home residents, said the people she supports are “my family.”

Palidwor is a registered psychiatric nurse and longtime volunteer advocate.

Champion of Mental Health – Long term service Award

From left, Blair Archibald, Michael Moloff, Marion Palidwor, Joyce Salie, Kathy Gerbrandt and Kent Lindgren were recognized with Champion of Mental Health Long-Term Service Awards during the Canadian Mental Health Association Battlefords branch’s Champions of Mental Health awards event in North Battleford on May 6, 2026. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Long-term service awards also recognized Blair Archibald, Michael Moloff, Palidwor, Kent Lindgren, Kathy Gerbrandt and Joyce Salie for years of leadership and volunteer service with CMHA Battlefords.

Archibald was recognized as CMHA’s longest-serving employee, while Moloff was honoured for 12 years on the board as a consumer representative.

Lindgren described CMHA as “my home for a lot of years,” while Gerbrandt reflected on eventually becoming board president after first being removed from the board years earlier because her work schedule prevented her from attending meetings.

Salie, who served on the board for 13 years, described CMHA as “a very special organization.”

Winterholt said the event aims to recognize the often unseen work happening throughout the community every day.

“No one knows what someone’s going through,” she said. “So be kind, be generous, give people grace and no judgment or stigma.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by battlefordsNOW staff