HeartSupport celebrates first international Support Wall chapter activation in Toronto
As the local HeartSupport chapters with their own Support Walls have spread across the United States, the peer-support model has now officially crossed country lines: HeartSupport’s Toronto chapter has activated their own Wall.
The chapter is led by Taylor Simpson, lead singer of Wishwell and longtime HeartSupport advocate.
“I’ve had my fair share of trials and tribulations when it comes to my mental health. I wish I had better access to things like HeartSupport when I was younger going through the worst of it. So I wanted to bring the HeartSupport wall here to help the community around me get the access to help that they need that I didn’t have,” Taylor says of his decision to pursue the ambitious undertaking of bringing a Support Wall to Toronto. “I want to support and uplift people who need it most. What better way than going to concerts and supporting people’s mental health through the Wall?”
Local chapters have to raise half of the funds to cover the cost of their own Support Wall, and HeartSupport’s organizational donors cover the other half. It was no different for the chapter in Toronto. In the middle of promoting new music, Taylor found himself also fundraising to cover that initial upfront cost.
He admits, “I had never done any sort of fundraising in this way before. But with the help of my amazing music community here in Toronto, along with the amazing HeartSupport community, we made it happen! Wishwell went on a mental health charity tour at the end of 2025, donating proceeds to HeartSupport, so we ended up channeling that into the fundraising for this wall. That certainly made things more possible!”
Wishwell’s tour supporting HeartSupport also coincided with the release of a series of singles, including “Second Guessing,” “Beautiful Moment,” “Leave My Mess Behind,” and “Home.” In their own way, each track also speaks to the human experience and what it looks like to have a sound, healthy soul in the midst of that experience. Their music was the perfect accompaniment for the mission.
Fittingly, the first time the Support Wall lifted off the ground in Toronto, it was at a Wishwell show. Wishwell was playing The Drake Underground in Toronto alongside Social Creatures and Pretty.
“The vibes were so great, everyone was genuinely curious about the wall and thought it was such an amazing idea! We had quite a few people reach out and donate to HeartSupport and write some beautiful messages on the wall,” Taylor shares.
For many Canadian music fans, it was their first time encountering the concept of peer-led mental health support through HeartSupport’s signature Support Wall. Just as in every place where a Wall has stood in the past, the community showed up for each other — both to pour out their own authentic expressions of what they’re experiencing, and to offer care in return.
“We had someone write that ‘they woke up that day feeling like they wanted to die,’” Taylor says somberly. “It was such a heavy thing to read on the Wall. But so many people read that and responded with their stories about feeling similarly in their lives but pushing forward. There were lots of messages of hope and support. So I really hope that person received the support they were looking for, and that they felt just a little bit better than when they came in.”
Although the first activation of a Support Wall in Toronto was a resounding success, it will be far from the last one. Now that the Toronto music scene has their own Support Wall, they can activate it as often as they’d like.
Every time they do, they’re creating a ripple effect.
More people are hearing about the mission, reaching out for support, and reaching out to give support. The end result is that music fans are getting real, immediate support in Toronto, and more people are rallying around what HeartSupport stands for than ever before in the region.
Taylor says, “We had a ton of people come up and ask me about the organization and the Wall. They were really thrilled that something like this existed! We had a few people ask if they could donate to the cause, which was incredible!”
Taylor, Wishwell, and the Toronto HeartSupport chapter plan to continue the impact. It’s proof that music fans are everywhere, and that together, we’re healing the scene — one country at a time.
“All in all it was an amazing first activation here in Toronto! I’m so honoured and humbled to be running the first international HeartSupport Wall!” Taylor concludes.
Are you ready to be part of your own local chapter, operating a Wall (in the States or abroad)? Sign up to become an Activator today and let us know where you live!
