A Kelowna charity is giving thanks to community members who support mental health workers, by creating a new annual award.

Third Space Charity says there is growing recognition in the mental health field that providers need to be taken care of themselves in order to do their own vital work. The new 害羞草研究所淐aring for the Carers害羞草研究所� award recognizes a local person or organization that has provided that care.

Announced for the first time at Third Space Charity害羞草研究所檚 benefit concert last month, the inaugural award was presented to Melissa Berry Appleton. Appleton is a Buddhist chaplain, who specializes in meditation and movement. She is also a masters of clinical counselling candidate and has worked with Third Space Charity害羞草研究所檚 counselling interns for years.

害羞草研究所淢elissa is a practitioner who lives and breathes the work of supporting frontline workers. She teaches a model that allows our team to make space for other害羞草研究所檚 suffering without making it their own. Her impact is powerful, and we are grateful to have her caring for our interns,害羞草研究所� Third Space Charity Executive Director Megan Woodruff said in a news release.

Woodruff said the need to integrate supports for mental health providers became especially evident to them when one of their student counselling interns, Scott Stephen, took his own life.

害羞草研究所淭hey are this community害羞草研究所檚 clinical counsellors of tomorrow, and we need to arm them with the tools and skills they need to stay well and sustain healthy careers,害羞草研究所� Woodruff said.

The new 害羞草研究所淐aring for the Carers害羞草研究所� award comes with an annual $500 bursary provided by Stephen害羞草研究所檚 mother, Dianne Stephen.

Berry Appleton said she plans to use that money to support LGBTQ+ and IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and other people of color) front-line workers.

READ ALSO: Pet puppies during pooch play date at Kelowna hotel: Humane Society