Featured Grassroot Organization: Calgary Vietnamese Mental Health Support Association (CVMHSA)
CVMHSA is a new nonprofit organization which was incorporated in 2022. It exists to raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma within the Vietnamese community. Its mission is to help community members proactively care for their mental health and find support when in need.
Community Priority: Mental Health
Approximately 25,000 Vietnamese people are living in Calgary, with most newcomers arriving in Canada as refugees. Community members in Calgary recognized an urgent need to learn about mental health and ways to support mental health. “Mental health conditions are not considered to be health issues. In other words, the community doesn’t know what mental health is. If we could increase the mental health literacy of older adults, we can increase the entire family’s views about mental health.” Community members also recognize there is a lot of self-stigma and public stigma about mental health in the Vietnamese community, which leads people to avoid or hide mental health challenges instead of reaching out for support.
A Helping Hand from ActionDignity
A group of passionate Vietnamese community members decided to do something for the community by establishing a nonprofit organization. However, Starting a nonprofit is no small feat, and the founders of CVMHSA knew they needed support. That’s where ActionDignity stepped in. ActionDignity’s GrOW Initiative (Grassroots Organizational Empowerment) was designed to support grassroots groups and nonprofit organizations to grow their organizational capacity, build skills for working together with other organizations, and carry out actions to address priorities in their communities. This initiative was a great opportunity for CVMHSA to gain the skills and support they needed.
Learning and Growing Together
With the support of the GrOW Initiative, CVMHSA began to take their first steps. They received a grant that allowed them to fund their programs and activities. They also got invaluable help from ActionDignity in setting up the basic structures for managing a nonprofit: opening a bank account, keeping track of expenses, and reporting on their activities.
One of the first things they did was embrace the Act-Belong-Commit (ABC) Campaign, a mental health campaign that had seen success in places like Western Australia and Denmark. The ABC Campaign was built around three simple yet powerful messages:
- Act: Engage in activities that keep you active and involved.
- Belong: Stay connected with friends, family, and community.
- Commit: Pursue meaningful activities that give you a sense of purpose.
CVMHSA leveraged the principles of the campaign to increase knowledge and reduce stigma for mental health in the community. They organized Community Conversation Circles, where people came together to talk openly about mental health, a topic that had often been hidden behind walls of stigma. Through these circles, they engaged over 100 community members, encouraging them to share their experiences and learn about mental health in a supportive environment.
A Vibrant Community Spirit
As the months went by, CVMHSA’s efforts began to bear fruit. They hosted workshops, yoga sessions, and even celebrated Lunar New Year with their community. Each event was an opportunity for people to connect, learn, and grow together. One of their most cherished moments was when community members gathered for the Lunar New Year celebration. It was a vibrant, joyous event that brought people together to celebrate their culture and their collective commitment to mental health.
The ABC Campaign’s principles came to life in these events. People acted by participating in activities, they belonged by connecting with others, and they committed by engaging in meaningful conversations and activities.
Building Strong Foundations
Through their journey, CVMHSA found more than just success—they found a sense of purpose and belonging within their community. They built strong partnerships with local organizations like the Vietnamese Community Church and the Vietnamese Elderly Association. These partnerships provided them with essential resources, including free spaces for their events.
Their work also attracted a group of dedicated volunteers. Many were recruited through family and community connections, but as CVMHSA’s reputation grew, so did their volunteer base. These volunteers were instrumental in helping CVMHSA navigate the challenges of running a new nonprofit while balancing their personal commitments.
Looking to the Future
CVMHSA is standing at a new beginning. They had learned a great deal from their experiences, growing from a small, new organization into a respected voice for mental health in the Vietnamese community. They planned to continue their work with the ABC Campaign, building on the strong relationships they had developed and expanding their efforts to make an even greater impact.
A Lesson from the Journey
One of the lessons CVMHSA learned was summed up perfectly by one of their members: “Do and learn. Work and learn.” As a new organization, CVMHSA volunteers lacked experience with nonprofit management and community projects. They were not sure where to start. ActionDignity offered the opportunity and support to lead a community project. One member shared, “Little by little, I am learning. Now I feel confident.” Reaching out to other organizations was also tough in the beginning, but it became easier after the first phone call. CVMHSA’s journey was a testament to the power of perseverance and community engagement. They discovered that every challenge was an opportunity to learn, and every success was a chance to build something greater.
More info about ActionDignity’s GrOW Initiative: GrOW-Platform – ActionDignity
If your organization is interested in being featured in our story, please contact: Helen.Zhang@actiondignity.org