For years, customers at Caffe Beano would occasionally be met with a surprise at the cash register – a free coffee, a paid meal or a gift card quietly covering the cost. No name was ever attached. Now, that anonymous generosity has a face, and it’s helping drive donations for mental health research at the University of Calgary. Norm Johnson, a longtime Calgary businessman and fixture at the local coffee joint, died on April 6 at the age of 76. In the weeks since, more than $160,000 has been raised in his memory for the university’s Mental Health Initiative for Stress and Trauma, known as MIST. To those who knew him, Johnson’s quiet generosity was only part of the story, shaped in part by his own struggles with mental health. “You know, Norm found a friend in every stranger,” said Trevor Johnson, his son. “He didn’t judge the way you looked. If you were the intimidating looking person in the corner – that was Norm’s guy. He’d want to know about that person, understand what was behind the mask that maybe pushed other folks away.” Norm was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2015 and would often visit Caffe Beano as a way to connect with others, often taking time to listen and share his perspective on mental health over a cup of coffee or his favourite treat. Norm’s signature order, known as a Hot Norm, was a hot Vietnamese coffee and three butter tarts; it’s also a hit among customers. “He just found value in every human,” his son said. “I think that’s what allowed him to have empathy for some of the other folks in Calgary that were also experiencing challenges.” A quiet act of generosity At Caffe Beano, staff say Johnson’s presence was a constant for decades, and so was his kindness. “Norm has been a regular here the last 25 or 30 years. He was here every single day,” said manager Emily Pohorelic, who noted that Norm’s generosity often went unnoticed by those he helped. “He would sometimes leave $1,000 gift cards for people in need in the till, so we would use those to buy anyone in need a coffee – whether they couldn’t afford it or if they forgot their wallet at home.” At times, his generosity stretched even further. “He often paid for an entire day’s service – when his grandchildren were born, or for his birthday – he would just take care of a whole day,” Pohorelic added. “He was really open and honest about being bipolar and what that truly looked like day to day. I really loved that Norm broke stigma, he was a well-off man, but he was open about struggles.” Those anonymous donations also inspired others to pay it forward, said Pohererlic. “A lot of people would add $20 to the pile, and it would kind of keep going all day.” From personal loss to research The fundraising effort in Johnson’s memory is closely tied to another loss, that of Trevor Johnson’s longtime friend, Mike McClay. In October 2021, just months from his 50th birthday, Mike took his own life following a battle with depression. Johnson described McClay as “the most positive, caring guy,” saying his death had a profound impact. In the days that followed, a conversation with University of Calgary researchers helped spark what would become MIST; an initiative focused on understanding how trauma and stress affect the brain and mental health. Trevor Johnson said the work carries deep personal meaning. “I still miss Mike every day, but now with MIST, I think we’re going to maybe get a chance to help somebody who needs help.” Researchers say the program is already making an impact. “MIST is a program that is aiming to improve the lives of people who have suffered trauma, both emotional and physical,” said Dr. Matthew Hill, director of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education. Hill says the initiative focuses on three main areas including foundational science, clinical treatments and community outreach. Another key focus is developing new treatments. “We’re trying to build out clinical research interventions that will be new approaches to help people who are suffering from trauma related disorders, as well as things like depression and suicidality.” Hill said the program also aims to improve public awareness. Part of that work includes exploring the mental health impacts of brain injuries, an area he said has historically been overlooked. So, one of the things that we’re trying to understand with MIST is more of what are the kind of typical changes that someone might have in mental health and mood in the aftermath of a head trauma and what kind of interventions we can do about it,” he said. Leah Mayo, a research chair at the university, said MIST has also allowed new clinical trials to move forward faster than usual. “Something that would have taken us two to three years, took two to three months to begin – thanks to this program.” She said one trial in particular is examining psilocybin-assisted therapy for people with persistent symptoms following head trauma. “And we’re now actually treating patients to see if this would be a new treatment for them.” Mayo said the approach aims to help patients break out of harmful patterns. “In the context of depression, you get negative thoughts or ruminations. In substance use disorders, it’s just stress and cravings, but even in anorexia, this is preoccupation with body image and restriction,” she said. “What psilocybin and other psychedelics do is they help us instead of focusing on that very narrow thought and behavioral pattern, they really provide an opportunity to shift those patterns through neuroplasticity or the growth of neurons in our brain.” Leaving behind a legacy For those who knew Johnson, the connection between his life and the research now being supported in his name is clear. Now, Johnson’s family hopes his story will encourage others to give, and to connect. Trevor Johnson said his father never sought recognition, only connection. “I keep learning more about my father in the days since he passed,” he said. “Giving back was one of his favorite things to do, even just to pay for everybody’s coffee for the day. He would do it completely anonymous. He wouldn’t want any acknowledgment.” And in the days since his passing, that spirit continues to resonate. “I was so proud to have Norm Johnson as a father.”
