Aaron Manson "Be Brave" Event

Aaron Manson "Be Brave" Event | Thursday, March 19

We warmly invite you to join us for the Aaron Manson "Be Brave" event, an annual gathering dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, addiction and the toxic drug crisis that continues to affect families, workplaces and communities across our region. The focus of this year’s event is grounded in the wellbeing for those in the trades and construction industry. Our invited panel members will speak to their advocacy work as well as tools and resources available to the men and women who learn and work in the trades industry.

This event honours the memory of Aaron Manson, a BBA student at Thompson Rivers University who tragically lost his life to an overdose in 2021. Aaron's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, care and collective responsibility in how we respond to mental health, substance use and loss. We come together each year not only to remember Aaron, but to learn, connect and commit to doing better — together.

We hope you will join us.

Event details:

📅 Thursday, March 19

📍 Panorama Room, International Building (TRU Kamloops campus)

🕡 6:30 – 8:00 PM

The evening's program will feature three speakers: Aaron’s dad Bart, Lorna Thomas, co-founder of Mom’s Stop the Harm, and Mika Dumont, coordinator of the Tailgate Toolkit Program.

This is an evening for our whole community — students, staff, faculty and community members alike. Whether you have been personally touched by these issues or simply want to show up in solidarity, your presence matters.

We look forward to seeing you there.