You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone: Meet the Team Behind CMHA Calgary’s Survivors of Suicide Community Care Group 

Jul 16, 2026

Walking into a support group for the first time can feel overwhelming. 

You may be wondering if you’ll be expected to share your story right away. You may be unsure if anyone will understand what you’re experiencing. You may simply be looking for a space where you don’t have to explain the weight you’ve been carrying. 

At CMHA Calgary’s Survivors of Suicide (SOS) Community Care Group, you don’t have to have the right words. You don’t even have to speak if you’re not ready. 

The group offers a welcoming space for individuals who have been impacted by suicide, whether through personal struggles, suicidal thoughts, attempts, or suicide loss. Through peer support, participants come together to share experiences, find connection, and remind one another that they are not alone. 

Before attending a support group, it’s natural to wonder who will be there to welcome you. We sat down with the facilitators of the Survivors of Suicide Community Care Group to learn more about their journeys, what peer support means to them, and what they hope participants experience when they walk through the door. 

Meet the Facilitators 

Kamika  

Kamika is the Team Lead of the Survivors of Suicide Program at CMHA Calgary. Her connection to mental health advocacy began more than a decade ago after witnessing the impact of mental illness and houselessness through her father’s experience with schizophrenia. 

At 17 years old, she reached out to CMHA Calgary looking for ways to make a difference. What started as a desire to support mental health initiatives in her community eventually led her to CMHA Calgary’s School of Peer Support and, later, the Survivors of Suicide Program. 

For Kamika, peer support extends far beyond mental health. 

“Peer support is something that can be used in every area of life because we all need support, and not all of us need to be counsellors or clinicians to support one another.” 

As a multidisciplinary artist, Kamika finds peace through painting, filmmaking, theatre, music, and Calgary’s arts and culture community. 

Bob  

Bob’s journey into peer support grew from his own experiences navigating depression, anxiety, and recovery. After completing CMHA Calgary’s School of Peer Support, he continued supporting others through volunteer work and community service, including with the Distress Centre. 

Bob believes one of the most valuable aspects of peer support is the opportunity to connect through shared humanity. 

“In peer support, it’s about connection and commonality. We’re all in this together.” 

Outside of facilitating the group, Bob enjoys maintaining a regular mindfulness and meditation practice, which helps him stay grounded and connected to himself. 

Carrie 

Carrie brings both lived experience and compassion to her role as a facilitator. Through her own journey, she has experienced firsthand the impact that peer support can have on healing and recovery. 

For Carrie, peer support is about creating a space where people feel accepted exactly as they are. 

“To me, peer support means having a space or a person that will listen without judgment, hold space for you, and let you come just as you are.” 

When she’s not facilitating the group, Carrie enjoys camping, photography, journalling, and spending time outdoors. 

What Can Someone Expect at Their First Meeting? 

Our facilitators understand that attending for the first time can feel intimidating. 

Suicide is often surrounded by stigma, making it difficult to find spaces where conversations can happen openly and honestly. Walking into a room full of strangers and sharing something so personal can feel overwhelming. 

The good news is that there is no expectation to share before you’re ready. 

Some participants speak during their first meeting. Others spend their first few sessions listening. Both experiences are welcome. 

“The biggest thing that I experienced when I attended was just feeling the support and love without having to say a single thing,” Kamika shared. 

It’s Okay to Feel Nervous If you’re feeling unsure about attending, you’re not alone. 

“That’s normal. That’s okay,” Kamika said. “Of course you’re going to feel scared to share something so private and personal with strangers.” 

The facilitators want people to know that every participant has experienced that same first step. 

When new members arrive, the group naturally comes together to help them feel comfortable and included. 

“There is no black sheep in this family,” Kamika said. “Everyone is included and welcomed.” 

Finding Connection Through Community 

One of the most powerful things the facilitators witness is the sense of community that develops within the group. 

People from different backgrounds, experiences, and generations come together and find common ground through shared understanding. 

The facilitators often see participants supporting one another through difficult weeks, celebrating progress, and offering encouragement when someone needs it most. 

Sometimes that support looks like a conversation after the meeting. Sometimes it’s a simple nod across the circle. Sometimes it’s hearing someone say, “Me too.” 

For Bob, these moments highlight the strength of the group. “I marvel at the honesty and vulnerability in the room and the willingness people have to support one another.” 

The connections often extend beyond the formal group setting, creating a sense of belonging that many participants have been searching for. 

Healing Is Not Linear 

Another lesson the facilitators have learned through this work is that healing looks different for everyone. 

There is no timeline for grief. There is no single path through recovery. Rather than trying to fix someone’s pain, the role of peer support is to walk alongside them as they navigate it. 

For Carrie, peer support has been one of the most valuable forms of support in her own life. 

“Support by peers has helped me grow through my grief more than anything else. Hearing different stories and learning different ways people cope has been incredibly valuable.”

You Don’t Have to Take the Next Step Alone

If you’ve been impacted by suicide and are looking for a welcoming space to connect with others who understand, the Survivors of Suicide Community Care Group is here for you. There is no pressure to share before you’re ready, come as you are, listen, and take part in whatever way feels comfortable.

Learn more and register for an upcoming SOS Community Care Group session.