Empowering Minds: A Province-Wide Rural Mental Health Initiative
Empowering Minds is a bold new initiative supporting Alberta’s rural communities to tackle mental health challenges with courage, care, and local leadership.
The Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS) has partnered with internationally recognized social innovator and mental health advocate, Ian Hill, to launch Empowering Minds: The First Identifiers Initiative across 60 rural Alberta communities.
This isn’t just a program—it’s a province-wide movement built on upstream solutions that equip everyday people to protect their neighbours and preserve the spirit of their communities.
Rural Albertans face higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide than their urban counterparts—but often in silence. Stigma, distance from services, and a culture of “toughing it out” mean many suffer alone.
But there’s hope.
Ag societies have always been the heart of rural life. With Empowering Minds, they become a powerful lifeline, guiding people toward support and community care.
How it works
Phase 1
6-Week Awareness Campaign
Ag societies lead the charge with a social media push and local storytelling, breaking stigma and building anticipation for Empowering Minds Day.
Phase 2
Empowering Minds Day
A full day of community action including:
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Morning Leadership Session
Local leaders gather for training and strategy-building. -
In-School Youth Engagement
Mental wellness sessions connect directly with young people. -
Community Supper + Training
The community gathers for a shared meal and First Identifier training.
Phase 3
30-Day Follow-Up
Continued support through:
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Weekly emails and inspiration
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Ongoing training via the Empowering Minds mobile app
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Microlearning modules and check-ins to keep momentum strong
Why it works
1. The people closest to the problem are best suited to solve it.
Rural communities know their own. Empowering locals as First Identifiers creates real, lasting change.
2. Upstream is better than downstream.
Early intervention—before a crisis—saves lives, preserves dignity, and protects community resilience.
Impact
Communities like Edgerton have already begun the journey—and the results speak for themselves. From renewed connection to stronger support systems, Empowering Minds is lighting a spark across the province.
Additional Info
Empowering Minds Partners
Want your community to be next?
Bring the program to your region!
Empower your community with programs that make a difference. Communities across Alberta can apply for funding to host and grow impactful initiatives in their area. Want to bring this program to your town? Complete the questions in the application form by clicking the button below.
