Sudbury group paints rocks to spread inspiration
Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) is a non-profit organization run by and for people who have experienced mental health challenges and illness.
On Tuesday, it held a painting activity with the goal of spreading inspiration and hope in the community.
Brix Piper led the wellness rocks session, where people used paintbrushes to express feelings of inspiration.
"Partially it's a form of self expression so they are able to express themselves on the rocks and show their own type of artistic abilities," said Piper, a community arts worker at NISA.
"However it's also great for connection. Lots of the members are painting together at the tables."
NISA hosted the event, which offered a number of peer-based mental health programs and supports.
"We have so many different programs," said Shanleigh Brosseau, communications and strategy co-ordination at NISA.
"We have arts and crafts. We have … groups that are focused on looking at how to manage and cope with depression and anxiety."
Participants will scatter the painted rocks with inspirational sayings throughout the city for people to find.
"We all need someone to care for us and love us and I think it's really important to have hope and stuff like that in all our recoveries," said Hugh Jeanveau, a peer support worker at NISA.
Christine Valent said she hoped her rock conveyed a special message.
"Compassion I am hoping. Compassion, feeling for others, feeling compassion even for yourself. Compassion for others and showing a display of love," said Valent.
Participants said people who find the rocks are welcome to pick them up and keep them for inspiration or leave them where they are for others to enjoy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.