Estevan family leads heartfelt campaign to raise awareness for mental health

ESTEVAN — In honour of their late father, three young siblings from Estevan are spearheading a heartfelt campaign to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

Kase Salkeld, 11, Emma Salkeld, 10, and Noah Salkeld, 7, along with their mother Stephanie Kendall, stepfather Andrew Tait, and stepbrother Boston Tait, 15, have launched a fundraiser selling sweatshirts to support mental health resources. The initiative was inspired by their personal loss and their desire to give back to the community.

The siblings have organized a fundraiser selling crewneck sweatshirts in black and grey with the message "Minds Matter. End the stigma". The sweatshirts come in adult and youth sizes, priced at $55 each. Proceeds will be donated to Joshua Tree Caring Hearts, a non-profit organization supporting children.

The siblings' journey began when they decided to honour their father's memory in a meaningful way.

Stephanie shared, "Traditionally, every year on August 27, we usually do something in memory of dad. This year, Kase and Emma were especially inspired to create a positive impact after learning more about mental health, and that's where the idea for the fundraiser emerged."

The conversation about raising awareness for mental health was led by Kase and Emma, who were inspired to do something impactful after gaining knowledge about mental health in school and through their personal healing journey.

Andrew acknowledged and recognizes the urgent demand for mental health services, particularly for children and adolescents. This has motivated his family to advocate for an important cause.

Misty Dukart, business owner of Soak and Style, developed a clothing line featuring a green colour scheme that represents mental health awareness. The family said they are "so grateful to Misty for handling the ordering and printing of all the sweatshirts for the campaign."

In August, the siblings began selling sweatshirts by going door to door and taking part in a local trade show. They were able to sell 198 pieces, coming very close to their target of 200. Emma was overjoyed by their success, while the siblings were thrilled to come close to exceeding their initial target in less than two weeks.

Stephanie remarked, "I am extremely proud of them."

Joshua Tree Caring Hearts provides many services like summer camps and support groups for children coping with a loss of a loved one. They acknowledge that everyone's journey through loss is unique, but they believe that anyone can move forward toward healing, regardless of their circumstances. By offering various avenues for connection, empathy and community, the organization aims to counter the loneliness that often accompanies grief and trauma.

The siblings' campaign has not only raised funds but has also sparked discussions about mental health and grief, which are essential aspects of their mission. As they grow older and gain a deeper understanding, they aspire to share their story and motivate others in the community.

After achieving their initial objective, the Salkeld siblings made the decision to reach out to companies through donation request letters to raise funds. They also plan to keep selling sweaters as part of their efforts. The campaign will last until the end of September, coinciding with Suicide Prevention Month.

"You are not alone," says Noah.

They are optimistic that sharing their journey and spreading awareness can assist other young individuals going through similar challenges.

All profits generated will go towards supporting young children dealing with mental health challenges and loss, providing them with a hopeful future.

The Joshua Tree Learning Centre provides a range of services, including counselling, assessments, tutoring, workshops and more to help individuals with disabilities and mental health issues, as well as their families.

Kase, Emma and Noah are grateful for any support they receive, highlighting the importance of each contribution.

"If you are able to purchase one of our crew neck sweatshirts or provide a donation via cash or cheque, it would be greatly appreciated," says the family.

For more information about the cause or to buy a sweatshirt, please contact Stephanie Kendall through her social media accounts or by calling 306-461-5546. Payments can be sent through e-transfer to [email protected].