Carman Wellness Connections (CWC) is launching a new locally developed resource designed to help individuals and organizations respond with confidence and compassion when someone is in distress.
The Respond with Care tool will be introduced during public sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 29, bringing together local partners including 211 Manitoba, the RCMP, and a range of community agencies. If registration warrants, CWC will run two sessions—one at noon and another at 6:30 p.m.—to reach as many people as possible.
“There’s been incredible collaboration across the community to make this happen,” said Lisa Lehmann, coordinator of CWC. “Respond with Care is about empowering people to feel confident and equipped when someone they know is struggling.”
Lehmann said the inspiration came from real situations where community members encountered someone in visible distress but didn’t know how to help.
“The Carman Ministerial had been discussing the same issues and invited CWC into the conversation,” she said. “We built on a resource originally focused on responding to homelessness and expanded it to include mental health, substance use, disorientation and injury.”
Through collaboration with service providers, law enforcement, faith leaders, and people with lived experience, the team created a trauma-informed, practical tool shaped by Carman’s own realities.
The resource offers a decision tree, sample phrases, safety considerations, and clear guidance on when to contact 211, crisis lines or emergency services. It also lists local and provincial resources—from shelters to harm-reduction programs—so people know where to turn.
“It’s not just about responding to a crisis,” Lehmann said. “It’s about reducing harm, preserving dignity, and creating a more caring and connected community.”
During the Oct. 29 sessions, participants will:
• Be introduced to the Respond with Care tool and how to use it in real-life situations
• Hear a live demonstration from 211 Manitoba on navigating community supports
• Gain clarity from RCMP representatives on when to involve police or emergency response
• Explore related local initiatives, including hygiene kit donations and the Roots of Hope resource survey
• Ask questions and connect with others committed to improving community care
“The sessions are designed to be practical, informative and welcoming to everyone—from service providers to business owners to concerned neighbours,” Lehmann said.
Lehmann noted that working with partners like 211 Manitoba and the RCMP has been crucial.
“211 Manitoba is an incredible, 24/7 resource that many still aren’t aware of,” she said. “Their involvement raises awareness and helps people get the right help at the right time.
“We also greatly value the RCMP’s support and input. Their endorsement reinforces that community safety and care go hand in hand.”
Lehmann said the sessions are open to everyone, but she especially encourages participation from:
• Front-line staff in health, education and non-profits
• Local business owners and employees
• Faith leaders and volunteers
• Elected officials and municipal staff
• Community members interested in learning how to help
“This is a tool for everyone,” she emphasized. “You don’t need a professional background to show care.”
Following the debut, CWC will partner with the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI) to host a series of free, one-hour webinars on topics such as Addictions and Mental Health, De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations, and Trauma-Informed Care. Dates and times will be announced at the launch.
Copies of the Respond with Care tool and related materials will be available through CWC for ongoing community use, with plans to post them on local websites and at community hubs.
Lehmann hopes the initiative will strengthen Carman’s overall approach to mental health awareness and response.
“We want to foster a culture of care—one where people feel confident to respond and those in distress feel seen and supported,” she said. “If even one person feels better understood—or one situation is de-escalated with kindness—we’ll consider that a success.”
She added that Respond with Care fits squarely within CWC’s broader mission to create a community where everyone has the opportunity and supports to flourish.
“At its heart, this is about inclusion, compassion and resilience—values that are central to everything we do.”
For details or to register, contact Lisa Lehmann at 204-750-8214 or lisa@carmanwellnessconnections.ca.
CWC’s office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays through September and October.Color
