About CMHA

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), founded in 1918, is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada. Each year, we provide direct service to more than 100,000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and staff across Canada in over 120 communities.

As a nation-wide, voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.

CMHA branches across Canada provide a wide range of innovative services and supports to people who are experiencing mental illness and their families. These services are tailored to the needs and resources of the communities where they are based. One of the core goals of these services is to help people with mental illness develop the personal tools to lead meaningful and productive lives.

CMHA-Yukon Board of Directors

Kim Solonick – President

Kim Solonick has held many volunteer positions: coach, chair, mascot, queen, advocate, coordinator, president, secretary and treasurer. Kim’s board experience includes time on the Arctic Institute of Community Based Research, she’s one of the founding members of Yukon Women in Mining and was a member and chair of the Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues for many years until 2018.

All along Kim has worked on the sidelines to improve mental health for all Yukoners.

Kim, like most of us, has been directly affected by mental illness. In the early 2000’s Kim found herself desperate for help in learning more about mental illness in order to support her family. There wasn’t much out there and through a conversation with Mental Health the Family Support Group was struck. For almost 20 years Kim has helped support parents, spouses, children and friends of people experiencing poor mental health.

Kim put her name forward to sit as one of the Directors of the Mental Health Association of Yukon, which is now the Canadian Mental Health Association Yukon Division. Over the 11 past years Kim has served as secretary, vice-chair and chair and currently as a president.

The CMHA works to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness and Kim is proud of the shift CHMA has had in changing the way people approach their own mental health. The CMHA supports people to be proactive in the way they maintain their wellness and also in the way they are able to respond to others who may be struggling with a greater degree of understanding, compassion and kindness.

Cheylsea Mitchell – Director

Cheylsea is a born and raised Yukoner. She attended schooling to become a paramedic in 2018 and quickly brought her skills back to her home town. During her schooling journey Cheylsea developed a passion for mental health and wellness. During her time working for the Yukon Government as a paramedic Cheylsea found herself wanting to do more for the community from a mental health and wellness standpoint. Her passion for raising awareness and providing high quality mental health care brought her to the board in 2021. Outside of work and volunteer board meetings Cheylsea is a new mom of one and enjoys spending time learning with and teaching her son. They spend their sunny days outside with their dog playing in the Yukon sun. On days spent inside they love listening to and making their own music.

Dylan Bell – Director

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Dylan moved to the Yukon in 2016. He first pursued a career in physical rehabilitation with Yukon Continuing Care. Working in this setting resonated with his values to help people improve their quality of life. It’s with this mindset that Dylan also joined the Challenge Disability Resource Group as a mental health support worker, and later became a supervisor, in addition to his already full-time job in physical rehabilitation. Working first-hand with vulnerable groups further grew his interest in bridging the gaps in the system to improve mental wellness initiatives. Dylan later moved to Options for Independence, which deepened his understanding of the reality of navigating life when one lives with impairment and mental illness. His experience as a frontline support worker with different local NGO’s led him to join the Yukon Continuing Care Behavioral Care Resource Team, where he provides evidence-based practice recommendations and assistance to interdisciplinary healthcare teams in how to best support residents with responsive behaviors. When Dylan is not working you can find him outside hiking, running, cycling, basically anything outdoors! He feels very fortunate to be able to live, explore and adventure on the Traditional Lands of the Yukon First Nations.

Sophie Elasoff – Secretary

Sophie Elasoff arrived in the Yukon over 30 years ago with whatever she could fit in her Toyota Tercel and has never looked back. 

Sophie initially worked in the banking industry when she arrived in the territory but eventually decided to return to school to become a Social Worker.  For the last fourteen years she has worked as a victim service worker, probation officer and a care coordinator with Home Care.  It was while working with individuals in these settings that Sophie became a proponent of accessible mental health services and assisting people with connecting to mental health resources in the community.   

In her spare time, she likes to go for long walks with her dog, biking, cross-country skiing, baking and reading. 

CMHA-Yukon Staff

Laurence Rivard – Executive Director

Originally from Quebec, Laurence moved to the Yukon three years ago and has been the Executive Director of CMHA-Yukon since August 2024. She was drawn to the role by a strong commitment to the organization’s mission: Mental Health For All. When speaking with friends back in Quebec, she often highlights CMHA-YT’s free counselling services as an example of the collective care that makes the Yukon so special.

In her role, Laurence oversees high-level supervision and organizational development, with a focus on expanding CMHA-YT’s facilities and advancing strategic planning. Prior to joining CMHA-YT, she served as the Executive Director of Les Essentielles, a Yukon-based non-profit in the gender equity sector, for three years. Her leadership style is grounded in feminist and intersectional values.

At CMHA-YT, Laurence enjoys the dedication of the team to mental wellness and the appreciation the organization receives from the community. Her goals include increasing public awareness of mental wellness, developing programs that reach all Yukoners in their diversity, and advocating for enhanced mental health support across the territory.

Outside of work, she takes care of her own mental health by spending time with friends, enjoying the outdoors with her Alaskan husky, and cooking.

Faith McLean – Asst. Executive Director

Faith is a social support professional with an eclectic background including experience in disability and mental health supports, harm reduction outreach and labor market support. She has always followed her passion for accessible support, inclusion, human rights and collaboration.

She hails from the picture province and was raised along the Wolastoq on the traditional unceded territory of the Welamukutuk (Oromocto) First Nation. In 2013 Faith, her partner and their 3 kids followed the call of the wild, landed in the Yukon and have called it home ever since.

Debra Dennill Watson  – Program Coordinator

Meet Debra, a passionate advocate for accessible mental health care and a proud newcomer to the Yukon! Originally from Vancouver, she now calls the ancestral lands of the Ta’an Qwatch’an Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nations home. As a single mom to teenagers, she’s a pro at multitasking—juggling parenting, work, and spontaneous adventure.

After a fulfilling 25-year career in hairdressing, Debra retired due to an irreversible repetitive strain injury. To figure out her next steps, she took the Older Workers Program at Yukon University, which helped her get her foot in the door at the Canadian Mental Health Association – Yukon Division. Now, as a Program Coordinator and Facilitator, she’s on a mission to make mental health resources accessible for everyone because mental health is a basic human right.

Having survived her first Yukon winter (and yes, it was colder than she expected!), Debra loves exploring the breathtaking landscapes of her new home with her 10-month-old “Yukon special” rescue dog, Frankie, who has never seen snow before and is always up for an adventure—especially when it involves chasing squirrels!

Known for her personal connections and being a “foot to the ground” kind of person, Debra believes in building meaningful relationships within her community.

With her varied experiences in hairdressing, film, TV, and print media, Debra is committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone can access the mental health support they need.

Geneviève (Gen) Gagnon, BFA, DKATI  – Generalist Counsellor

Gen is a Professional Art Therapist whose practice is centered around building collaborative and trusting relationships with individuals. Applying an intersectional social justice lens to her work, Gen views personal challenges and wellbeing as existing within the larger frameworks of community, culture, and society. She draws from various approaches to respond to client goals including expressive modalities, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural interventions, harm reduction principles, ecotherapy, and mindfulness. 

Gen works with youth and adults experiencing challenges in the areas of grief and loss, life transitions, substance use, relationships, mood and anxiety disorders, ecological grief and anxiety, trauma and workplace stress. She also facilitates art therapy groups, often in partnership with other community organizations. Gen offers counselling and programming in French and English. 

As an uninvited guest on Indigenous lands and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Gen is committed to providing culturally responsive and identity-affirming care through humility, curiosity, and personal and professional development. She has a strong interest in arts empowerment, accessibility and equity, decolonization, and community-building through creativity and intentional gatherings. 

Outside of CMHA-YT, Gen is a harm reduction worker on the Whitehorse Outreach Van and sits on the board of the Friends of Yukon Permanent Art Collection. She loves to read, spend time outdoors, play hockey, experiment with new culinary and crafty creations, and hang out with her pals, partner, and canine sidekick Taiga.

Vishnu Kolothumkattil – Generalist Counsellor

A lifelong resident passionate about uplifting the community he calls home, Vishnu Kolothumkattil has steadfastly devoted himself to guiding individuals through their personal challenges. With nearly a decade in the Social Service Sector, Vishnu’s credentials are a testament to his dedication: a Master’s in Counselling Psychology, a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and recognition as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C).

From a young age, Vishnu felt an innate calling to assist others in understanding and navigating their personal challenges. This led to his development of a client-centered counseling approach, deeply influenced by narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), positive psychology, and a strength-based approach. His methods move beyond mere reflective listening to employ a spectrum of therapeutic interventions, each tailored to resonate with an individual’s unique needs.

Vishnu’s commitment goes beyond methodology; it’s rooted in the belief that every individual deserves a life filled with joy, peace, and personal growth. By providing a safe and empathetic space, he offers more than counseling; he provides an environment where personal narratives are honored, challenges addressed, and strengths celebrated. In partnering with Vishnu, clients find both an ally and a guide, ensuring that their journey towards a brighter future is a shared endeavor.

Tanya Kutschera – Generalist Counsellor

Tanya is a Registered Clinical Counsellor specializing in individual and couples counselling, She brings her 20-years of experience as a teacher and facilitator in Canada, US, India and Costa Rica.

Tanya believes that counselling is a collaborative partnership based on trust, respect and equality. Her priorities as a counsellor are to support and effect healthy change in the life of her clients. She does this by providing a non-judgemental, safe space conducive to client’s self-exploration of feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Tanya’s integrated therapy approach is person-centered, holistic and goal oriented, focusing on client strengths and supporting the empowerment of the client to work towards their desired goals. Tanya uses a variety of modalities that incorporate talk therapy, somatic work, journaling, mindfulness,  and art (when appropriate) as tools for accessing self-awareness, understanding and insight.

Bonnie MacDonald – Workplace Wellness Coordinator/Peer Support Coordinator

Bonnie has dedicated her adult life to supporting individuals and families in building and nurturing relationships as the very foundation of all mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. The experience derived from a 30-year career in Social Services supporting Yukon families and 26 years as a yoga/meditation teacher has offered the skills for Bonnie to facilitate groups throughout North America in the fields of mental health, social services and mindfulness. Her work with CMHA-YT focuses on psychological health and safety in the workplace with the core belief that relationship building and self-awareness are at the essence of our well-being.

She knows “we can’t stop the waves, but we can learn to surf” and is dedicated to supporting herself and others in living with our eyes open and our hearts well-tended.

Evelyn Mott – Generalist Counsellor

Evelyn (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.

Evelyn grew up in Nova Scotia, however has recently moved to Yukon after spending the last several years in Nunavut. Outside of work, Evelyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her two dogs, and spending time outside all year round!

Evelyn provides individual counselling for youth and adults. She enjoys working with a wide variety of clinical issues, however is particularly passionate about trauma work, grief and loss, life transitions, relationships, depression and anxiety. Evelyn believes that safety in the counselling relationship is foundational to the counselling process, and that counselling is a collaborative effort between client and counsellor. Evelyn works from a holistic, feminist and anti-oppressive approach, deliberately incorporating several theoretical modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural skills and solution-focused strategies.

Lisa Strerath – Intake Coordinator/Administrative Assistant

Born and raised in Germany, Lisa quickly decided to set out and discover the rest of the world right after graduating high school. During her years of traveling the world, she worked in a huge variety of different industries from construction to hotel management, and got to meet people from all walks of life. She returned home briefly to start University in Germany but before long she traded sitting in lecturehalls for exploring caves in New Zealand and never looked back.

In 2023 Lisa and her partner decided to leave the rain on Vancouver Island behind and chase the snow in the Yukon instead where they quickly added a puppy to their family.

Coming from a place where free mental health care is the norm, Lisa was surprised by the lack of availability in Canada and jumped on the chance to work for the CMHA-Yukon, so she could help grow and improve access to mental health services. Her voice will likely be the first you hear when contacting our agency and she takes this role very seriously by showing empathy and kindness, and empowering clients with clear information.

Jessica Williams, MACP, CCC – Generalist Counsellor

Jessica is a born and raised Yukoner and finds that growing up here gives her some lived experience and understanding of social structures in the territory. Jessica completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology in spring of 2018, gained CCC status in 2019 and has worked with multiple agencies, in multiple roles, throughout Whitehorse in her journey to becoming a counsellor at CMHA-YT. She describes her counselling style as centered around the whole person including their strengths, their social and environmental context and the work they’ve already done prior to coming through the door to seek counselling supports. Jessica describes herself as a generalist counsellor as she doesn’t have a specialized focus in her work and loves to navigate what counselling might look like based on whomever the client is at that moment.

Nikky Williamson, MACP, CCC – Generalist Counsellor

Nikky originally comes from the United Kingdom and after gaining her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology she set off to travel in South East Asia, Australia and Canada and eventually landed in the Yukon. During her travels she has had the opportunity to work with individuals from all walks of life and she is a firm believer in equal access to mental health supports for all.

Nikky’s primary role at the CMHA is facilitating Single Session Counselling appointments for which she draws on her range of experience working within adult mental health, addictions, physical health psychology, neuropsychology and forensics. In addition, Nikky has a keen interest in mental health research and has published research into the impact of cannabis legalisation.

Outside of work, she enjoys landscape and wildlife photography and can often be found wandering around the wilderness with her camera in tow.  

Jan Wood – Generalist Counsellor

Jan is a Registered Social Worker with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Regina and received extensive training in the counselling modalities of Solution Focussed Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Jan is a proud member of the Association of Social Workers of Northern Canada and in 2018, was thrilled to receive the annual Social Worker Of The Year award.   

Jan worked for Yukon Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services (MWSUS) for about 5 years, providing Rapid Access Counselling and psychoeducational workshops to people from diverse backgrounds. Prior to MWSUS, she worked as a social worker at Yukon Continuing Care, Yukon Disability Services and the Child Development Centre, including their satellite office at Kwanlin Dün.  This provided an opportunity to gain a strong background in community support services for a wide range of needs. 

Areas of Interest: Include supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, addictions, grief/loss issues and parenting challenges.  Having recently retired from full time employment herself, she is well positioned to support people preparing to leave the work force. Jan has a special interest in supporting people who are transgender, queer or non-binary, and those who have symptoms consistent with ADHD or identify as being neurodivergent.   

She is a strong believer in the power of self compassion, mindfulness, and the capacity of people to live their best life.  

Graham Wright – Generalist Counsellor

Bio – coming soon