Abbotsford golf pro Brady Stead grows Teach-a-Thon, raising funds for CMHA to support mental health across B.C. communities.
Golf Pro Turns Personal Loss Into Provincewide Cause
A life-changing call inspires action
Seven years ago, Vernon native Brady Stead, then competing in Europe, received tragic news: his cousin had died by suicide. The experience shifted his focus from pursuing the European Tour to championing mental health awareness. Stead began wearing a green ribbon on his golf hat to signal support for those struggling with mental health.
Building a meaningful initiative
In 2023, Stead, now a teaching professional at Abbotsford’s Ledgeview Golf Club, launched the Steady Golf Teach-a-thon for Mental Health. The event involved teaching lessons from dawn to dusk, donating 100% of lesson revenue and contributions to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The initiative raised nearly $10,000 in its first year, providing support and resources for individuals facing mental illness.
Expanding the program provincewide
The 2025 edition of the Teach-a-Thon introduces a major expansion: all PGA of BC professionals can participate, hosting their own local events and contributing directly to CMHA branches. “The expanded program builds on Brady’s original vision, allowing PGA of BC Professionals across the province to host their own Teach-a-thon events,” said the PGA of BC in a statement.
Community impact through shared effort
Stead sees the initiative’s growth as both humbling and motivating. “It’s very rewarding seeing the Teach-a-thon morph into a province-wide initiative,” he said. “Golf can be a place for healing, and as professionals, we can lead the charge to break the stigma around mental health.”
How the program works locally
Between Aug. 22 and Sept. 30, participating professionals donate lesson time, with all funds directed to local CMHA branches. Each branch allocates resources to programs that address community-specific needs, from youth prevention and early intervention to peer-led recovery and crisis supports.
A partnership for lasting change
CMHA BC senior director Antonia Kalmacoff Jennings praised the initiative’s community impact. “Funds raised through this year’s Teach-a-thon will support mental health programs that are most needed in each participating community,” she said. “This partnership empowers communities to address pressing mental health and well-being challenges.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
