About SWEETGRASS

SWEETGRASS Institute was developed in Winnipeg, Manitoba as a response to the growing complexity of modern life and the increasing limitations of fragmented, symptom-focused approaches to mental health. In a world marked by disconnection, emotional exhaustion, rapid social change, and rising mental health and addiction challenges, we believe people need more than crisis management alone. They need meaningful, relational, and practical pathways that support not only healing, but human development, resilience, and becoming.

Founded by Olga Shmelova — a psychotherapist, mental health speaker, addiction recovery expert, and mental health consultant in Winnipeg — SWEETGRASS brings together integrative therapy, trauma-informed care, education, community, and systems thinking to provide thoughtful and deeply human support for individuals, youth, families, professionals, organizations, and communities. Our work is rooted in the belief that mental health is not only individual, but relational, cultural, and collective.

SWEETGRASS exists to create spaces where people can move beyond survival and toward greater meaning, connection, responsibility, resilience, and sustainable well-being.

We envision a future where mental health moves beyond symptom management and crisis response toward a more human, relational, and meaningful approach that fosters resilience, belonging, responsibility, and lifelong becoming.