Canadian country artists are once again coming together to share their lived experiences with mental illness, addiction, and other mental health challenges through a unique storyteller-style benefit concert in support of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
The second edition of Country Talks: Mental Health will take place Sunday, October 26 at The Rec Room Square One in Mississauga. The show will feature top Canadian country artists performing in a Nashville-style writers’ round, blending personal stories with the songs that have been part of their healing journey. All proceeds will be donated to the CAMH Foundation.
This year’s lineup includes Andy Colonico, Taylor Wilson, Nicole Christian, Jessica Towler, Tim Hance, and Angelica Appelman. Toronto-based duo Broadtree will return as hosts, following the sold-out 2023 debut at Oakville’s Moonshine Café, which raised over $1,000 for CAMH through ticket sales, raffles, and donations.
“We didn’t know what to expect when we launched the first show,” says Country Talks co-founder Armand Antony. “The subject matter can make people uncomfortable, and the artists were incredibly vulnerable. But the way the audience came together to create a safe, supportive space was inspiring — it became the perfect setting for this kind of event.”
Nicole McCafferty, Antony’s partner in Country Talks, added “Music is a universal language. Someone might not relate to a condition like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because of stigma or fear, but they can relate to the emotions in a song. That connection makes difficult topics feel less distant — it opens the door to understanding.”
The series aims to normalize conversations about mental health the same way people discuss any other medical condition. For many performers, the Country Talks stage has been the first place they’ve spoken publicly about their struggles.
Taylor Wilson, a Hamilton-based artist who headlined the inaugural concert, recalls, “I’ve shared my story online, but saying it out loud in a packed room was something entirely different. The response from the audience was deeply moving — people connected not just with the music, but with the honesty behind it.”
Wilson says the event is a powerful reminder that open conversation can be healing: “While we’ve made progress, stigma still exists. Events like this give people permission to speak up, and that can change lives.”
“CAMH Foundation is grateful to Country Talks for their support and to all of the Canadian artists for courageously sharing their lived experiences,” says Deborah Gillis, President & CEO of CAMH Foundation. “This event not only raises vital funds for Canada’s leading mental health hospital, it sparks open, hopeful conversations that remind people there is always help.”
Tickets for Country Talks: Mental Health are available by donation and can be purchased online at https://countrytalks2.eventbrite.ca
Country Talks Mental Health vol 2 – an evening of songs and storytelling to benefit the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
When: Sunday, October 26, 2025 @ 3:00pm
Where: The Rec Room Square One: 100 City Centre Dr #1-705, Mississauga, ON L5B 2C9
Tickets by $20
Public on sale: September 12, 2025
More info and tickets at https://countrytalks2.eventbrite.ca