Lori has 23 years of experience working in the mental health field. Mental Health READY was formed in 2014 and since that time Lori has provided thousands of certified and customized trainings across Canada. Please see a list of previous clients on the Home Page.
Lori has been a certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid Basic and Mental Health First Aid Supporting Youth (both in-person and virtual) with the Mental Health Commission of Canada since 2011.
She is a certified Psychological Health & Safety Advisor through the Canadian Mental Health Association. As a certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor, Lori can help organizations improve their psychological health and safety by assisting in implementing the National Standard of Canada for psychological health and safety in the workplace and/or by assisting in the creation of a workplace wellness strategy.
Lori is a licensed HeartMath certified trainer with the HeartMath Institute. This certification allows her to teach HeartMath techniques and to facilitate the Resilience Advantage program.
She is a certified trainer in Compassion Fatigue through the Tend Academy under Francoise Mathieu.
In addition, Lori is a certified facilitator in Self Abuse Finally Ends, a psycho-educational program to assist persons in stopping their self injurious behaviors. She was a certified master facilitator in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) through Living Works from 2001 to 2020.
Before starting her own training and consulting business, Lori worked as a Family Support Worker and Public Educator with Canadian Mental Health Association Leeds Grenville for over 13 years. She assisted many families in navigating the mental health system and annually provided a 10 week mental health education program for families. As a public educator, Lori annually provided Suicide Awareness presentations to Grade 10 students in 9 high schools in the Thousand Islands region, as well as providing a 4 day Mental Illness Awareness program to Grade 11 students.
Testimonials:
"This was an awesome course given by Lori, she was very very good at her job and knows her subject inside and out. She kept it light to keep our attention and because it's not a happy subject, you left there not depressed or sad but happy with all the good information you just learned. Absolutely a great instructor, and content was very enlightening".
Sue Eakins - Volunteer, Medicine Hat Victim Services
"I learned so much taking this course with Lori. As with any course, the delivery is what makes or breaks it, as the content will always be the same. Lori’s training methods are amazing. She keeps you interested and involved through lively discussions and questions and scenarios that really open up your thinking and keep you engaged. It was an absolute pleasure taking this course ran by Lori, and I can honestly say that I am now a lot more in tune and aware of those around me, rendering me a better colleague and friend. Would recommend this course to anyone, and I personally think it is a must-take in order to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace, and in life!”
Dominique Scapillati - Administrative Officer, National Security Operations Directorate, Public Safety
"I recently completed the Mental Health First Aid training provided by Mental Heath READY. The course was facilitated by Lori Veltkamp who did an excellent job at breaking down various mental health conditions people may struggle with. She not only listed the struggles for the person suffering but for their surroundings (families, friends and work colleagues). She tactfully talked about how to properly respond to potential crisis providing statistics and resources to support her train of thought. Lori shared personal experiences with a variety of mental illnesses and mental health issues and gave multiple examples which made the course that much more interesting. Lori also encouraged personal discussion and created a safe space for participants to feel comfortable sharing, that also contributed to the learning experience (you never know what someone might be going through). Overall, I came away with new knowledge, sharpened skills set and understanding of my own strengths and limits. Lori's many years of experience in the mental health field definitely contributed to the success of this training. She was able to refer to lived experience and share some valuable insight with the class. Lori was extremely knowledgeable and helped to break down barriers that we all have on this topic. She taught the class with passion and emapthy and even added a little humor. She is clearly a passionate advocate for mental health and I am happy to have taken this training with her."
Marie-Christine Lalonde
Communications Advisor CPAB Development and Workplace Wellness
DGCAP Communications and Public Affairs Branch and the Public Health Agency of Canada
"I would strongly recommend this workshop to any organization as mental health touches everyone. I have worked in HR for over 20 years for one of the largest companies in Canada and I can honestly say that Lori is the best facilitator I have ever met! Lori makes the course fun, interactive and keeps her audience fully engaged. No matter what your knowledge of mental health is, you will leave this workshop with a deeper understanding of the impacts of mental health. I had a quite a few "aha" moments!"
Wendy Kenny, Pickering
"Very insightful workshop. Practical hands on exercises that assist to understand what persons living with mental health challenges go through and how best to support and de-escalate. Lori is a great facilitator and creates an atmosphere of trust. openness and acceptance for everyone. Given the increase in mental health concerns we are seeing on the job as well as within our communities, it's critical training for anyone just like medical First Aid and CPR - it will help us save lives."
J.O. - Barrie
"The MHFA Certification is a very valuable and relevant course for anyone, especially for students heading into health careers or social work fields. The information is presented with a clear and relateable approach, giving the Specialist High Skills Major students a practical tool for their career directions."
Jane Clark, Teacher, Gananoque Secondary School
Lori Veltkamp did an amazing job teaching the Mental Health first aid workshop. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to all colleagues and to my future students. She has a fun way of presenting information to the students and they enjoyed it immensely."
Dana Gatt RN, Recruitment Supervisor/PSW Instructor - Canadian Red Cross, St. Catharines/Niagara
"Lori Veltkamp provided an energetic and insightful workshop, sharing her personal experience and anecdotes with just the right balance of humour and sensitivity. Thank you for enhancing my understanding and skills. I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop."
David Griffin · Workplace Harassment Investigator and Trainer
"Thanks again for the wonderful training/education/refresher on some of the more common types of mental illness. I am always eager to learn new-found info in this area...You have an appealing method of instruction that makes learning easier to understand."
Barry Dougherty, Trenton Military Family Resource Centre
"Mental Health First Aid is important training for anyone working with youth. The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board Child and Youth Counsellor Team was impressed with the quality of the presentation and appreciated the humour with which it was offered." - Julie Pohlman-Brogee, Supervisor, Child and Youth Counsellor Team, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
With a balance of sensitivity and pragmatism, Lori approached the delicate nature of mental illness in an age-appropriate and engrossing manner. The Grade 11 and 12 audience was engaged and months later, many of them still refer to the subject matter with interest and concern...the expertise is simply tremendous!"
Sam Crosby-Bouwhuis, Teacher. Thousand Islands Secondary School