Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba

Women’s Programs Update

At this time, many of MDAM’s women’s programs are temporarily paused due to current funding limitations. While this pause affects the majority of our women-focused programming, it is not a reflection of the need for these services or our commitment to women’s mental health.

We are pleased to share that our Women’s Peer Support Groups continue to meet weekly, both in person and virtually, providing ongoing connection and support. In addition, our Prairie Mountain Region office continues to offer a variety of programs and supports for women in that region.

Currently, we do not have a dedicated Women’s Program Coordinator, and as a result, most women’s programming outside of peer support is on hold. We are actively exploring opportunities to secure funding that will allow us to resume and expand women’s programs in the future.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time and encourage you to check back for updates as circumstances change.

We provide education, assistance, coping techniques, and support for women struggling with mental health issues. We offer the following women’s programs:

• 6-week Women’s Wellness Group (No current session)
• 6-week Baby Blues & Better Days Program (No current session)
• 6-week Disordered Eating & Body Image Program (No current session)
• Women’s Speakers Series (On Hiatus)

Peer Support Groups:

• Women’s Online Peer Support Group: Every Tuesday, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• Women’s In-Person Peer Support Group: Every Thursday, 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm.

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The Mood Disorder Association of Manitoba offers Indigenous programming and services. The online talking circle gives people a chance to offload any stress and concerns in a traditional setting. The talking circle starts with a smudge and ends with a tobacco offering. MDAM also has a Monday Morning Smudge to start the work week off in a good way with a clear mind streamed live over Facebook. MDAM also offers one on one support through a traditional lens for individuals who need a space to breathe, decompress, and be heard.

List of Programs/Services:

• Indigenous Talking Circle: On Hold.
• Morning Smudge: Every Monday, 9:00 am. On Hold.

One-on-One Peer Support:

You can book a one-on-one peer support session (online/in person) with our Indigenous Program Coordinator. On Hold.

Contact information:

Indigenous Program Coordinator
indigenous@moodmb.ca

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2024

Are you looking for ways to celebrate and honour National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024? Check out the activities below, courtesy of CTV Winnipeg News.

Winnipeg
Wa-Say Healing Centre will host its third annual Indigenous Day at the Forks on June 21. The event includes a powwow, with grand entry beginning at noon and closing entry at 5 p.m. There will be a concert from 5 to 9 p.m. with performances from the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers, Gator Beaulieu and JC Campbell. Free to attend.

Manitoba Children’s Museum will also be highlighting Indigenous culture from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 21. Attendees can create art, help build a teepee, listen to stories and watch Indigenous drumming and dance performances. Inuit artifacts from the Manitoba Museum will also be on display.

Circles for Reconciliation will host a community barbecue at Sgt. Tommy Prince Place (90 Sinclair Street) from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. In addition to the barbecue, there will also be a sharing circle and entertainment.

On June 22, Assiniboine Park Conservancy will host an Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Lyric Field and The Leaf. Activities and entertainment take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and include food trucks, a market, fire teachings with Cree Crowchild and a number of musical performances.

Selkirk
The Manitoba Métis Federation is once again returning to Selkirk for its annual event on National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event, which takes places at Selkirk Park, begins with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. Red River Métis entertainment, ceremonies, and a market will also be available.

Brandon
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Brandon will be marked at Riverbank Discovery Centre. The day will begin with a pipe ceremony at 10 a.m., and will also include a powwow demonstration, bannock cooked over the fire and an Indigenous talent show.

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Mens Support Groups

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We build meaningful relationships and provide a space where men can open up and share about their experiences. We offer a wide variety of mental health and wellness opportunities from workshops to peer-support, and One-on-One peer support. Our goal is to create environments where speaking about the tough parts of life feels comfortable and to support men in actively pursuing their own health.

Peer Support Groups:

• Men’s Online Peer Support Group: Every Wednesday, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Men’s In Person Peer Support Group: Every Monday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (This group is co-facilitated with Peer Connections MB)

One-on-One Peer Support:

You can book a one-on-one peer support session (online/in person) with our Men’s Program Coordinator.

Men’s CBT with Mindfulness Program:

Our men’s CBTm program has now ended. Thank you for your interest.

MENtally Well Program

The MENtally Well Program, offered by Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM) is in search of 800 plus square feet of workspace to do woodworking hobbies.

We can provide a tax-deductible receipt for this space. This group will be facilitated by a 45-year professional woodworker and two peer support facilitators. We will also provide any necessary insurance required.

Help our charity and receive a tax-deductible charitable donations receipt for your space.

Many disadvantaged people will be very thankful for this opportunity!

If interested, please email us at volunteer@moodmb.ca or phone Shawn: (204) 330-7821 or John (Cell): (204) 869-0243.

Contact information:

Men’s Program Coordinator
mensprogram@moodmb.ca

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Youth Programs

MDAM together with United Way presents the youth program. This program particularly caters to youth who are affected by mood disorders or mental health issues in general.  We offer customized presentations, workshops, programs, camps, and peer support for youth who are struggling and need support throughout the year.

List of Programs/Services:

• M.A.D. Camp
• M.A.D. Mondays: Every Monday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. *This group requires registration to join. Please click on the link and scroll to the bottom of the page to fill out our online registration form.*
  Coming in 2026, The Adventures Club is a six-week MAD Monday tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) program for youth. Participants create a character and work together to explore imaginative worlds inspired by games like Dungeons & Dragons, where there’s no winning or losing—just collaboration, creativity, and storytelling shaped by player choices and the roll of the dice. TTRPGs offer a fun, supportive space to practice problem-solving, communication, and navigating challenges, allowing youth to learn, try new things, and grow without the pressure of real-world consequences.

Peer Support Groups:

• Youth Peer Support Group: Meets every Tuesday from 5:00-6:00 pm, alternating between in-person and virtual. Virtual every 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of the month. Please note this group will not be meeting virtually in November due to Remembrance Day and the Facilitator being unavailable on Nov 25th as they are attending a Student Resource Fair. *This group requires registration to join. Email, call or text youthprogram@moodmb.ca / (204) 890-4316*
• Young Adults Peer Support Group: Meets every Monday from 7:30 – 8:30 pm, alternating between in-person and virtual. Virtual every 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month starting Nov 3 & 17, 2025.

Helpful Downloadable Resources (Brochure Format, PDF):

1. Being Kind to Myself: Self-Compassion

This brochure helps youth recognize when they’re being too hard on themselves and teaches what self-compassion really means. It breaks the idea into three key parts—self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity—to show that everyone makes mistakes and deserves patience. Through simple practices like replacing self-criticism with encouragement, forgiving past mistakes, and using positive affirmations, readers learn that being gentle with themselves is an act of strength, not weakness.

Download Resource

2. Facing Doomerism: Anxiety and the Future

Feeling anxious about the future is normal—but it doesn’t have to take over your life. This brochure explores how anxiety and helplessness can grow from uncertainty and fear, and offers a practical framework for building hope. It helps readers question despairing thoughts, identify what can change, and look for “cracks in the wall” where possibility still exists. The focus is on turning awareness into action and developing resilience, one hopeful thought at a time.

Download Resource

3. Life on the Teeter-Totter: Balancing Stress

Everyone experiences stress, but it becomes harmful when it sticks around. This brochure explains the difference between helpful and harmful stress and teaches strategies to get back in balance. Youth learn how to challenge unhelpful thoughts, say no when overwhelmed, and plan ahead instead of worrying about the future. Breathing exercises, teamwork, and asking for help are encouraged as ways to keep stress from taking control.

Download Resource

4. Hard Times Come and Go: Building Empathy

Empathy connects us to others and helps build stronger communities. This brochure explores what low empathy looks like and how learning to understand others’ feelings can improve relationships and compassion. It offers practical ways to grow empathy—like active listening, trying new experiences, reading diverse stories, and joining community causes. The message is clear: empathy takes practice, but it helps turn our “islands” into bridges.

Download Resource

5. Thanks to You: On Gratitude

Focusing on problems can make life feel dark, but gratitude helps bring light back in. This brochure teaches that gratitude isn’t just about saying thanks—it’s about recognizing kindness, shifting perspective, and connecting more deeply with others. Readers learn simple ways to practice gratitude, like mindful reflection, thanking others, and finding positives even in hard times. It also introduces the idea of radical acceptance: acknowledging what can’t be changed without judgment, as a pathway to peace.

Download Resource

6. Decoding the Media: Body Image

Social media and pop culture can distort how we see ourselves. This brochure helps youth understand where body image pressures come from and how to build a healthier relationship with their bodies. It encourages body neutrality, self-respect, and kindness toward oneself and others, while challenging harmful talk about appearance or weight. By separating beauty from worth, readers learn to value character and well-being over perfection.

Download Resource

7. Our Bodies, Ourselves: Nutrition, Exercise, Hygiene & Self-Care

Real self-care goes deeper than quick fixes—it’s about caring for your body and mind in sustainable ways. This brochure guides youth through healthy habits like nutritious eating, movement, sleep, hygiene, and knowing when to rest. It highlights how physical wellness supports mental health, and how small actions—like showering, stretching, or eating well—can restore energy and confidence. Readers are reminded that self-care isn’t indulgence; it’s maintenance for both body and spirit.

Download Resource

One-on-One Peer Support:

You can book a one-on-one peer support session (online/in person) with our Youth Program Coordinator.

Contact information:

Youth Program Coordinator
youthprogram@moodmb.ca

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Are you a senior? A newcomer to Canada? Indigenous? Part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community?

You’ve come to the right place!

Mixed Programming at MDAM includes support and resources for Manitobans who identify as seniors, newcomers, Indigenous, or LGBTQIA2S+ (non-binary or non-gender conforming persons). Under this program stream we also offer support for depression, anxiety and bipolar, in the form of mixed peer support groups.

We are working hard to expand our mixed programming and services. At this time, we offer our weekly “Tea & Tales” peer support group for seniors (please see below for more details and time). For the LGBTQIA2S+ community, we offer our Mixed Coffee & Chat every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at our office. Newcomer programming will be coming soon!

For individuals with Bipolar, we offer a weekly mixed Bipolar Group, every Tuesday from 6:30 – 7:30pm at our office.

Our Mixed Depression & Anxiety Group is for individuals and/or family members struggling with anxiety and depression. This group meets every Thursday from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at our offices.

List of Programs/Services:

• Mixed Seniors Tea & Tales – Winnipeg: Every Tuesday, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm at 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg, MB
• Mixed Seniors Tea & Tales – Selkirk: Every Thursday, 1:00 – 2:30 pm, 384 Eveline Street, Selkirk, MB*
• Mixed Seniors Tea & Tales – Lac du Bonnet: 2nd Monday of Every Month, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, 253 Mc Arthur Avenue, Lac du Bonnet, MB (This group meets next on January 13, 2025)
• Mixed Seniors Tea & Tales – Brandon: Meets weekly every Friday, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, Rotary Villas 1340 10 St, Brandon, MB (This group will resume on January 10, 2025)
• Mixed Seniors Tea & Tales – Boissevain: Meets once a month on December 10th from 10:00-11:00 am, Cherry Creek Place, 259 Mill Road, Boissevain (This group meets next on January 14, 2025)
  
  
• Mixed Coffee & Chat: Every Tuesday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm at 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg, MB
  

• Mixed Bipolar Group: Every Tuesday, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg, MB (This group resumes on January 9, 2025)
  

• Mixed Depression & Anxiety Group: Every Thursday, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg, MB (This group resumes on January 9, 2025)
  

If you have any programming ideas or would like to offer financial support for our programming, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact information:

mixedprogram@moodmb.ca
204-250-4958

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Baby Blues and Better Days

The Baby Blues and Better Days course is offered by Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. It is a free 6-week course for new mothers and their partners that addresses issues and concerns that can come with the birth of a baby, with special emphasis on post-partum depression. Attendees learn skills and coping strategies from facilitators who have lived experience with post-partum depression. A support group (in person or online) is offered after the course to provide ongoing help to parents.

Currently, we are offering this course four times per year virtually. The size of the group is kept small (maximum 10 registrants) to facilitate good conversations. Moms, partners, and babies are all welcome to attend virtually.

If you have questions or comments, please contact our Women’s Program Coordinator at 204-560-1463 or womensprogram@moodmb.ca

Postpartum Peer Support Group

We offer an online weekly Postpartum Peer Support group, every Tuesday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. **CURRENTLY ON HOLD**

Postpartum Warmline *ON HOLD TEMPORARILY*

Our postpartum warmline is 204-560-1468. This line is active Monday to Friday from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

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