After losing her son unexpectedly to suicide, Kenaston's Joy Pavelich channeled her emotions and trauma into her skill of writing.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Swift Current Branch is welcoming her as a guest speaker on Monday for their Mayor’s Luncheon. 

Todd Vallee, executive director for the local CMHA, said the fundraiser is returning for the first time since the pandemic.  

“The cost of everything nowadays has gone up as everybody understands,” he said. "It makes it a little more difficult to have our programming in place and serve our members here that take part in our programming, so those are what the funds go to support.” 

This year’s event will be held at the organization’s new location in town, and folks attending will be treated to a lunch prepared by staff. 

Pavelich will touch on her book, Chasing My Son Across Heaven, sharing the powerful message of rebuilding what might feel too broken to repair, through love. Her book explores issues from youth mental health to suicide and post-traumatic stress.  

There are a limited number of tickets left, so anyone interested in attending is encouraged to reach out to the Swift Current CMHA.