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CMHA WW: Marcey Gray, Spark of Brilliance and Beautiful Minds Coordinator

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From the outside, Spark of Brilliance workshops might just look like people playing with paint, but in reality, it’s a place for people to make connections and build community, develop skills and confidence, and participate in meaningful activity. I’m proud to be able to “give back” and continue to provide the same service that helped save my life more than a decade ago.

1. What is involved in your role?

As Program Coordinator for both Spark of Brilliance and Beautiful Minds, I wear many different hats. In my role with Spark of Brilliance I coordinate and facilitate art programming, provide leadership and training for our volunteers and steering committee members at our Guelph and Kitchener sites, create all of our calendars and promotional materials, and organize community events, much like our “Art Works for Mental Health” art gala coming up on March 23rd! (Shameless plug). With Beautiful Minds, I visit high schools all over the region and provide presentations to students that focus on stigma reduction and positive mental health.

2. Why did you become involved in the mental health field?

I became involved in the mental health field because of my own personal lived experience.

3. What brought you to Spark of Brilliance?

Diagnosed with agoraphobia, severe depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder in my late 20s, I came to Spark of Brilliance as a participant, looking for a way to make my way back into the community. After a short time of participation in the program, I grew in such leaps and bounds in my recovery that I decided to volunteer with the program. Initially, developing the program’s first newsletter and website, I eventually ended up facilitating workshops as a volunteer. When a job opportunity with the program became available as a researcher for an Ontario Trillium Foundation project, I applied and got the position. From there I later became a Support Coordinator for the director/founder at the time. When the director retired, the Program Coordinator position was created and I took on that role. Twelve years later, here I am.

4. Have you always worked in mental health?

I have worked in mental health for most of my adult life, while also working freelance in design. Prior to working in mental health I worked as an editor at the Guelph Mercury, as well as a series of random and sometimes bizarre jobs throughout my teenage years and early twenties.

5. How do you support people at CMHA in your role?

I support our participants by offering them a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental place where they can take their diagnosis off with their coat, express themselves through creative means, and just be. I offer a listening ear and encouragement, both in matters related to art and creativity, and life and recovery. I support people through their recovery journeys through understanding,  acceptance, and shared experience.

6. What are you proud of during your time at CMHA?

From the outside, Spark of Brilliance workshops might just look like people playing with paint, but in reality, it’s a place for people to make connections and build community, develop skills and confidence, and participate in meaningful activity. I’m proud to be able to “give back” and continue to provide the same service that helped save my life more than a decade ago.

If you are in crisis or wish to discuss whether CMHA has the right service for you, call Here 24/7: 1-844-437-3247 (HERE 247).

Follow the ‘Faces of CMHA’ series for a glimpse into the lives of the people who spend each day at the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington working to inspire and support people to achieve the quality of life they desire. Join our team, click here to view current employment opportunities at CMHA WW.

 

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