HeadCase Community

10/07/2026

Last night was incredible!

We had tears, laughs and everything in between.

One thing that came up was the documentary ‘Sing the World Better’ that is available to watch for free on CBC Gem (link below).

https://gem.cbc.ca/sing-the-world-better

It features St. John’s own Shallaway Youth Choir, specifically Lauda, their neuro-inclusive choir, and their journey to putting off a huge show.

More info can be found about Lauda here - https://shallaway.ca/choir/lauda/

A theme connected to this discussed at the event yesterday was competence. Or more specifically people assuming incompetence, because someone has a non ‘neuro-typical’ brain.

I’ll be super clear on this … Always assume competence. Period.

Folk may have an alternate way of doing things, or methods of communication might look a little different than what you are used to. This does not mean they can’t do something.

Let’s lift up the neuro-divergent members of our community and embrace just how awesome they are.

Sing the World Better features Lauda, one of a handful of youth choirs in the world to embrace all neurotypes. They prepare for a concert, and find harmony in a world not always tuned to their rhythm.

10/06/2026

Tonight is the night! Still some tickets available, we'd love to see you there!

10/05/2026

Local Research Participation Opportunity!
Are you pregnant and in or near your third trimester?

The Memorial University Research Team is looking for research participants to participate in two online surveys looking at birth expectations, mental health, sources of information about birth and fear of childbirth.

Each survey will take approximately 20 minutes or less to complete. The first survey would be done in your third trimester and the second survey would be done 6-8 weeks after you give birth. Participation is voluntary. You can scan the QR code on the poster or click the link below to access the survey.
https://mun.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6DwbXLuWaziQ8Qu
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact any of the researchers listed below.

Katherine Steeves, Principal investigator, [email protected]
Melissa Williams, Research Assistant, [email protected]
Lindsay Cahill, Co-investigator, [email protected]
Katie Wadden, Co-investigator, [email protected]
Archana Vidyasankar, Co-investigator, [email protected]

If you have questions regarding this study or the rights of research participants, please contact the Health Research Ethics Authority at 709-864-8871 or [email protected].

10/05/2026

This week at our Community Afternoon of Connection & Support, we’re checking in with someone parents often put last - ourselves. 💛

This Week’s Topic: What’s Your Emotional Temperature?

As parents and caregivers, so much of our time is spent making sure everyone else is okay. Between caring for our families, work, responsibilities, and the never-ending to-do list, it can be easy to overlook how we’re actually feeling.

Are you feeling calm? Tense? Overwhelmed? Running on empty?

Taking your emotional temperature is a simple way to pause, recognize what you’re feeling, notice the signals your body may be giving you, and ask yourself: What do I need right now?

This Wednesday, we’ll explore practical ways to become more aware of our emotions and respond to them with intention - because you don’t have to be perfectly calm to show up for your children, and your feelings deserve your attention, too.

☕ Come as you are, grab a coffee and a treat, connect with other women and families, and join us for a relaxed afternoon of conversation and support.

📅 Wednesday, October 7
⏰ 2:00–3:30 PM
📍 444 Conception Bay Highway, CBS

Whether you’re looking for guidance, connection, support, or simply a welcoming place to spend the afternoon, we’d love to have you.

📧 To confirm your attendance:
[email protected]

10/05/2026

Mental health and substance use health are health care.

This Mental Illness Awareness Week, we’re joining the call for Equal Health. Fair Funding. No Exceptions.

We know that mental health and substance use health are part of overall health. Yet access to care and support does not always reflect that reality.

When someone reaches out for support, access should not depend on whether their health concern is considered “mental” or “physical.” People deserve timely, appropriate and accessible care, support and connection.

This is about more than awareness. It’s about making sure mental health and substance use health are recognized, supported and funded as essential parts of health care.

At Lifewise, peer support is one part of that picture. Our services create opportunities for people to connect with someone who has their own lived experience and understands what it can mean to reach out for support.

Mental health is health.
Substance use health is health.
Support belongs in health care.

This Mental Illness Awareness Week, let’s keep moving the conversation from awareness toward access.

Equal Health. Fair Funding. No Exceptions.



[ID] Graphic for Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 4–10, 2026). Headline: “Mental health and substance use health are Health Care.” A blue banner reads “Equal Health. Fair Funding. No Exceptions.” Three circles represent mental health, substance use health, and physical health, with equal signs between them. Supporting text emphasizes equal access to timely, appropriate care, support and connection. Lifewise logo at top right.

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

We got together with most of the panel for the upcoming event on October 6th and the takeaways even from that short convo were incredible.

We cannot wait to see you all there next week, it's going to be phenomenal 🧡

📍 Where - First Point, 30 Harvey Road
📅 When - October 6th, 2026
🕧️ Time - 6pm to 8:30pm

🔗 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neurodivergence-in-kids-mental-health-implications-caregiver-burnout-registration-1999398045376?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/01/2026

Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel like living on an island where no one speaks your language.

You don't need another expert telling you what the textbooks say. Sometimes, you just need to hear from parents and caregivers who are in the thick of it with you—people who understand the daily victories, the exhaustion, and everything in between.

On October 6th, we’re hosting a live panel of real parents and caregivers sharing their honest journeys, what helped them survive the hard days, and how they found their footing.

Come sit with us. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

Date: Tuesday, October 6th @ 6:00pm
Location: 30 Harvey Road (First Light)

Registration: Tap the link reserve your spot!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/neurodivergence-in-kids-mental-health-implications-caregiver-burnout-registration-1999398045376

Know a parent or caregiver who needs to hear this today? Tag them below.

10/01/2026

Have you even been trapped in an aisle getting parenting advice for your neurodivergent kid from someone whose entire experience comes from a neurotypical child?

Save your energy. We got you.

Join us live at 6pm on October 6th at 30 Harvey Road (First Light).

🔗 Tap the link to register!

Drop a comment if you’ve lived this exact moment today!

Join us for an open conversation on supporting neurodivergent kids and their caregivers. This is for anyone who has or cares for kids.

09/30/2026

I've been trying to write a post for National Truth and Reconciliation Day all morning.

Everything felt off, so I'm just going to be honest.

Learning about Truth and Reconcillation, the history, and ongoing troubles that affect our indigenous community locally (and further afield), is hard, uncomfortable, and heartbreaking.

But that is no reason not to do it, especially if you come from a place of privilege like I do.

It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and support all parts of our community, and honestly, I could be doing more in this regard.

HeadCase is a space for everyone and we want everyone to feel like they belong while they are in the room with us.

So here’s our pledge. We are going to learn, reflect and do better.

Are we going to get things wrong? Yup.

Are we going to learn from our mistakes and keep trying? Double yup.

So today we listen to voices outside of our own. Tomorrow we plan how we’re going to use our learnings and take action.

We hope you will too.