REGINA — Stigma-Free Mental Health Society (SFMHS), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and combating stigma, is offering a training opportunity to rural and agricultural communities in Saskatchewan.
According to SFMHS, the two-day Rural Minds Matter Peer Support Training is designed for anyone interested in opening up conversations about mental health and providing support within their communities. Attendees will gain foundational knowledge of the peer support model and practical strategies for its implementation, SFMHS states in a press release.
In partnership with Sara Riel Inc., a Winnipeg-based charity specializing in mental health and addictions support, the next cohort of training will be conducted online on the weekend of Jan. 24 and 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST on both days.
According to SFMHS, peer support fosters the sharing of emotional and practical guidance among individuals with similar experiences, addressing challenges such as mental health issues. Implementing peer support is crucial in rural communities where services are often limited due to factors like distance, infrastructure challenges, long wait times, and the ongoing stigma associated with seeking help, , the organization states.
“We recognize that mental health struggles have surged in rural and agricultural communities, becoming a new pandemic,” says Andrea Paquette, co-founder and president of SFMHS from Moose Jaw.
“This training program is designed to help community members break down the stigma around mental health, take immediate action and forge a new path in tackling these challenges through peer-to-peer conversations.”
Attendees will explore foundational concepts of peer support on day one—including models of care, defining compassion and core values. Day two will focus on implementing these theories by creating peer support groups tailored to their communities. Participants will receive an instructional manual to assist their group development while addressing barriers and challenges.
Rural and agricultural residents, as well as those working in these communities, are invited to register for the Rural Minds Matter Peer Support Fundamentals Training at https://register.ruralmentalwellness.com/. The registration fee is just $50 to cover administrative costs.
