Mental Health Summit: Promoting Wellness

On May 6th and 7th, 2024, the Office of Applied Research and Innovation, in collaboration with Grande Prairie’s Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention (RCSP), will host a two-day conference geared towards mental health in the trades, industry and agriculture. Building on efforts to collaborate on research regarding RCSP’s Tough Enough to Talk About It Program, the two-day event brings together speakers and training for participants. The programming at the Mental Health Summit: Promoting Wellness in Trades, Industry and Agriculture is organized for human resources, health, safety, and environment professionals, owners, operators, contractors, service providers, and researchers who want to join the conversation.  

Confirmed speakers include Dave Nix (ConocoPhilips) and Kelley Winter (Northern Mat & Bridge), who are directly involved in employee assistance programs. Participants will also hear from professionals who have developed and implemented programs, such as Kelly Gallant (Energy Safety Canada) and Tracy Golnik (Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention).  

Specific training connected to different industries will allow participants to receive an assortment of training in one place over two days, including Tough Enough to Talk About It, Skills for Tough Conversations, The Emotional Toll of HSE, and Mental Health First Aid. Lauren Van Ewyk with the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance is offering leadership training and programming directed to mental wellness and mental health in the agriculture sector.  

Participants will also have the opportunity to hear from researchers working on mental health issues, including NWP’s Dr. Connie Korpan, and Rochelle Thompson, PhD candidate in the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, who conducts research on farmers’ mental health and well-being.  

If you are interested in registering or want to learn more about the speakers and workshops/sessions, click here.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact @email.