Mental Health Shouldn’t be a luxury item

UP&UP is a Timmins‑based nonprofit built for the people who know they need help but can’t afford to take the first step. In Northern Ontario, the hardest part of getting support isn’t sticking with therapy — it’s getting in the door. That first session is where everything begins, and for too many people, it’s financially out of reach.

Our mission is simple: we raise money to fund first therapy sessions for people who can’t pay for them. No hoops. No gatekeeping. No proving you’re “struggling enough.” If cost is the barrier, we remove it — because nobody should have to wait for a crisis to get help.

A first session isn’t just an introduction. It’s often enough to bridge a gap, stabilize someone in a tough moment, or help them get through until longer‑term funding kicks in. It’s the session that gets someone assessed, heard, and connected to the right supports. It’s the session that stops people from falling through cracks. We exist to make that moment possible.

UP&UP was founded to fill a gap that’s been ignored for too long: the folks who don’t have benefits, don’t qualify for funded programs, and don’t want to choose between groceries and getting their mental health back on track. A single session can be the difference between staying stuck and finally moving forward.

Through grassroots fundraising, local events, and partnerships that actually make sense for our community, UP&UP turns Timmins’ generosity into real access. One session at a time. One person at a time. Real support, real momentum, real change.

We believe in dignity, transparency, and meeting people where they’re at. No fluff. No corporate jargon. Just a simple idea that when people get the chance to start, the whole community rises.