Empowering Minds Rural Mental Health Initiative

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.

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.

Learn more about the Empowering Minds initiative here.