Memorial Forest

Founded in 2009, the Memorial Forest seeks to reduce the stigma around mental illness and promote greater understanding and compassion from the community as a whole.

The site is located at the Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site at 1860 Sir Isaac Brock Way in St. Catharines. It features mature trees, an inscribed stone and plaques that honour family and friends who have passed on after battling mental illness.

We want to provide an opportunity to share stories of hope and success as told by individuals and family members living with mental illness.

Annual Memorial Forest Vigil

A Memorial Forest Vigil takes place annually on the first Thursday in October during Mental Illness Awareness Week.

The 2024 Memorial Forest Vigil is on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 3 to 4 p.m.

This event is free and does not require registration.

The event includes live music, a lived experience speaker, readings and more. The community is welcome to join the event in-person or to view the event online.

This event is rain or shine. Some seating is provided.

Getting to the Memorial Forest

By foot: Enter through the Glenridge Quarry parking lot and walk five to 10 minutes along a stone path
By car: Enter through the gate at Sir Isaac Brock Way

2024 Memorial Forest Vigil

Share a story of recovery

One way to help end the stigma around mental illness is to share a story about your personal experiences with mental health challenges. It can also help in your own recovery and provide encouragement and support to others with similar experiences.

Memorial Forest Wind Phone

In 2024, the Memorial Forest in partnership with Hospice Niagara, welcomed a special addition: the Wind Phone. This idea began with Sasaki Itaru in Japan, who set up a disconnected phone in his yard to feel connected to his lost loved one while grieving. Today, there are over 100 wind phones worldwide.

Thanks to the generous donation from Ray and Judy Fortier, a wind phone now stands in the Memorial Forest in a wooden box beside the pavilion.

"A Wind Phone is for anyone who has lost someone special in their life. It provides a way to express feelings, share memories and say the goodbyes you never had the opportunity to say. The concept is simple, yet incredibly profound.

While the actual phone is not connected to anything, it offers an opportunity for people who are grieving to talk with their special person -- to say what they need to say, and release it to the wind." - Hospice Niagara

Donations and name plates

Financial donations help with the maintenance and visual improvements of Memorial Forest, and in educating the community about mental illness.

Name plates to memorialize a family member or friend can be purchased for $20. You can also donate towards having a tree planted or having a memorial structure built and added to the site, such as a birdhouse. For donation inquiries, call 905-688-2854 ext. 7353 or email Niagara Region Mental Health.

Thank you to the generous donors, local businesses, sponsors and volunteers who have been involved in making Memorial Forest a reality.

Wear a green ribbon for mental health awareness

Green signifies new life, new growth and new beginnings.

The green ribbon has become a symbol for raising public awareness about mental illnesses, bettering the lives of those with mental health challenges and showing support to those individuals and their families.

Wear a green ribbon to show your support for mental health awareness.