Supporting Workplaces

Leadership and employee training, team-building, strategy development, and more.

Speaking & Events

Inspiring, empowering, and authentic. Expertise with passion.

Communities & Classrooms

Programs and education for communities, classrooms, and social supports.

Who We Are.

From bustling small businesses, community organizations and classrooms to multinational corporations, not-for-profits and beyond – VĪV Mental Health proudly supports individuals and organizations with specialized training, leadership development, community programs, keynote presentations, consulting services, media production, and much more.

 

Our Commitment.

We believe that everyone deserves accessible, inclusive, and effective mental health support.

VĪV Mental Health is committed to supporting individuals and organizations through innovative and collaborative efforts, blending multi-disciplinary expertise with lived experiences, shared knowledge, and a human-centric approach. Our goal is to educate, empower, and foster connections that promote communities rooted in support, inclusion, equity, dignity, and respect.

 

The name “VĪV” is derived from – and rhymes with – the words “survive” and “revive”.

DisruptHR YEG 11.0 (May, 2024)

The VĪV Mental Health Podcast

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Stand Up For Mental Health

Testimonials

As a longtime client of VIV Mental Health, I am pleased to offer my wholehearted endorsement of their services. From our monthly safety meetings, annual audits, and employee/leadership training to their ongoing role as our mental health and psychological safety touch point, Kris and his team have gone above and beyond in delivering support for our team in every way we could have hoped.

Hy-Lok Distribution Inc.

Throughout his engagement with Explore Edmonton, Kris demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication. He possesses excellent communication skills, which were evident in his ability to engage participants from diverse backgrounds and levels within the organization. I have no hesitation in recommending VIV Mental Health for any facilitation or workshop-related role!

Explore Edmonton

“Kris and Rachelle facilitated two leadership workshops for our global workforce and they fulfilled all expectations! The presentations were highly engaging, fostering an environment where our staff felt comfortable sharing their insights and experiences. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and we eagerly anticipate future sessions!”

Mary Oguntoyinbo

IntouchCX - Global EX Strategy

“The training was amazing – I’d like a full day next time! Kris was very responsive to the room and sparked some great conversations. As a mom and as well as a leader in my workplace I will definitely be implementing what I learned both at home and with my teams. Thank you for exploring these topics through so many different lenses.”

Leadership Training Participant

Mental Health Summit 2024

“Incredible session. Kris was the perfect facilitator. The pace was great – and how he shared details about his personal journey throughout made me feel like I could share my thoughts more. There was so much to take away from this workshop – I’m so happy I took this!”

Workplace Training Participant

Explore Edmonton

“This consulting team is so thoughtful (and thorough!) in their design, approach, and delivery of services. Kris brings charisma, SO much heart, and clearly loves and values his work. I love what Kris and Rachelle are doing in the community as well. Without a doubt, I would recommend them to any company looking for training and facilitation!”

Tara Langan

Career TLC

“I have had the pleasure of working with Kris and the VĪV team on a number of occasions – I highly recommend! Kris is genuine, authentic, and an excellent leader and collaborator. He brings so much value to every piece of work and creates strong, healthy environments to work in.”

Tiffany Connauton

Beyond Diversity Inc.

“Kris is compassionate, resourceful, and his sessions and conversations are always so thoughtful and relevant. His superpower seems to be that he can draw out the best in people, helping others feel comfortable with their own vulnerability and creating a safe space for folks to exist freely without judgement.”

Justin Lessard

Mental Health Therapist

“I’ve been listening to your podcast and I love it. It’s so good! Thank you so much for being so vulnerable and sharing your story. It makes it so much easier for people to open up and help remove the stigma behind mental health struggles. Thank you so much!”

Podcast Listener

“Kris is a true professional. From the start of his presentation to the end, he had the full attention of my students. A talented speaker with a wealth of knowledge on the subject. I highly recommend!”

Nick Foley

Professor, Loyalist College

“One of the best podcasts I’ve ever heard. Amazing job.”

J.J. Richard

Listener

“I just wanted to reach out and thank you for speaking to our class today, it really resonated with me. As someone who’s struggled with mental health for a long time, hearing you talk about you personal struggles felt so relatable and less lonely. I appreciate your candour.”

Mykayla

Graduate student

A few words from VĪV founder Kristopher Marks:

 

I don’t have to know you to care about you” is a mindset that holds deep meaning for me. It encapsulates what I feel is the ethos of true human connection; an ideal of sorts where the most meaningful and authentic relationships are fostered from seeds of compassion and nurtured by curiosity.

Compassion is this abundant, universal currency that we all possess; a limitless resource that we are able to spend freely on anyone, at any moment, without reservation. It is humbling and beautiful to think that there are people who have passed through our lives whose fondest memories of us may be when we shared with them a fleeting moment of kindness, safety, or vulnerability. What a gift it is that we are all rich with something so enduring and priceless.

Each of us possesses a unique and fascinating story; a personal memoir of sorts describing the many seasons of our lives as well as the versions of ourselves who navigated them. And while the details of our stories remain unique to us, they describe universal themes of joy, defeat, challenge, triumph, growth, and connection. At times, connection is the hero – at others, it is the villain. Sometimes it is the plot itself. To the human experience, connection is inescapable and indispensable.

I consider it an immense privilege to work in this space, and I am endlessly inspired by those who choose to recognize and amplify our common themes rather than highlight the differences in our details.

I believe the most enduring legacy we can leave is simply to leave this world better than how we found it and to leave the people we connect with better for it. I don’t have to know you to care about you, I just want you to know that I do. And that, in itself, is a privilege.

 

With gratitude,

 

CEO & Founder of VĪV Mental Health