Eleven local coffee shops are teaming up to raise money for the Canada Mental Health Association.
CMHA Spokesperson Jennifer Hyslop says the campaign encourages residents to buy a $10 coffee card that will allow them and a friend to go out for coffee 10 times.
It also helps erase the stigma around mental health issues.
“Invite people to not be afraid to sit down with someone they care about and talk about how they are feeling and what they need to feel better.”
The Bean Fiend owner Brian Hamilton tells us they have high hopes for fundraising this year hoping they can bring in $10,000. 
Hamilton notes the coffee card campaign is also good for helping shake the winter blues.
“Quite grey, It’s important. It’s easy for us to feel a bit sheltered. A coffee house is probably the cheapest way to get out of your house, get out of your shell, surround yourself with people and let you know you aren’t alone.”
Only 1,000 cards are available. You can pick them up at Bay Village Coffee, The Bean Fiend, Calico Coffee House, Club Cappuccino, Freaks & Geeks, The Seattle Coffee House, Sweet Escape, The Sweet North, Up Shot Coffee House, The Habit and International House of Tea.
Since 2015, the initiative has raised $25,150 for vital CMHA educational and mental health training programs.
