Artist-Led Workshop Explores Grief, Mental Health and Healing Through Art

MELGUND TOWNSHIP, Ont. — Community members gathered at the Dyment Recreation Hall for the June Speaker Series, where Borups Corners artist and social worker Leanne Nicholson led a workshop exploring grief, mental health, and healing through art.

The session, titled After Leah: Grief, Memory and Healing Through Art, invited participants to reflect on the many dimensions of grief and how loss is carried emotionally, physically, and socially. Through guided discussion and personal reflection, the workshop created space for open conversation about bereavement and the role of creative expression in processing difficult experiences.

Participants considered how grief is often complex, layered, and ongoing, shaped by love, memory, and absence. Nicholson spoke about the importance of acknowledging grief in all its forms, including sudden loss, anticipated grief, and the lasting impact of bereavement on emotional and physical well-being. The session emphasized that grief does not follow a fixed timeline and that support needs often continue long after the initial loss.

How Art Supports Mental Health and Healing Through Grief

A central focus of the workshop was mental health awareness and the importance of open, compassionate conversation in supporting those who are grieving. Participants discussed how loss by suicide can carry additional emotional complexity, including confusion, stigma, and unanswered questions. The session emphasized listening, empathy, and community care as essential parts of the healing process.

The workshop was held in memory of Leanne’s sister, the late Dr. Leah Nicholson, PhD, who died by suicide in Winnipeg in September 2025. A researcher in mental health, homelessness and recreation, her work and legacy were acknowledged throughout the session as participants reflected on the broader impacts of loss within families and communities.

Nicholson also highlighted healing through art as a meaningful way to process grief and maintain connection to memory. Creative expression, she noted, can provide space for emotions that are difficult to articulate, allowing them to be explored and held in a different form. Participants were invited to reflect on their own experiences through a guided exercise considering the emotional, physical, and relational dimensions of grief.

Organizers said the session reflected the importance of creating spaces where mental health and grief can be discussed openly and without judgment. They noted that these conversations are vital in supporting individuals and families as they navigate loss and continue the process of healing.

At the close of the workshop, Leanne Nicholson was presented with an apple tree from the Art Borups Corners Land Lab program. The gesture served as a tribute to Dr. Nicholson’s life and her work and research in mental health and recreation. The tree will be planted at the Dyment Recreation Hall park and greenspace, creating a living memorial within the community space where the gathering took place.

The June Speaker Series was hosted by our partners at the Art Borups Corners Society, a non-profit arts organization supporting creative programming and community engagement in Northwestern Ontario. Organizers emphasized that the discussion underscored the value of art, dialogue, and shared experience in helping communities understand and move through grief together. Thanks also go to the Local Services Board of Melgund and Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture for supporting this special event.

Our programs extend a sincere thanks to Leanne for leading this deeply meaningful workshop and for her openness in sharing both personal experience and professional insight into grief, mental health, and healing through art. Her thoughtful facilitation created a space for honest reflection, compassionate conversation, and shared understanding among participants. We also acknowledge the care and strength she brought to the session, and her ongoing contributions to community-based arts and wellness programming in the region.

Mental Health and Grief Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, mental health challenges, or thoughts of suicide, support is available:

Talk Suicide Canada
Call or text 9-8-8 (24/7, free, confidential support across Canada)

Klinic Community Health (Winnipeg, MB)
Crisis and mental health support services, including counselling and mood disorder support
Visit Klinic Community Health

Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba
Peer support, education, and programs for people living with depression, bipolar disorder, and related conditions
Visit Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario
Support groups, education programs, and resources for individuals living with bipolar disorder and other mood disorders
Visit Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

ConnexOntario
Free and confidential service connecting Ontarians to mental health, addiction, and crisis supports
Visit ConnexOntario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Local mental health services, programs, and community-based supports across Ontario and Manitoba
Visit Canadian Mental Health Association

Canadian Virtual Hospice
Grief, bereavement, and end-of-life support resources for individuals and families
Visit Canadian Virtual Hospice