Vulcan County Mental Wellness Coalition

Mission

  • Vulcan County Mental Wellness Coalition (VCMWC) strengthens the community by fostering collaboration, improving resource accessibility, and reducing stigma to support mental well-being for everyone living in Vulcan County.

Vision

  • Vulcan County is a healthy and supportive community with easy access to high quality mental health services where all individuals thrive.

Values

  • Empathy: We listen with understanding and act with compassion, recognizing each individual’s unique journey.
  • Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and create a welcoming space for all, regardless of background, identity, or experience.
  • Integrity: We uphold the highest ethical standards in everything we do, ensuring trust, honesty, and transparency in our services.
  • Collaboration: We believe in the power of working together to create meaningful, lasting change.
  • Respect: We treat each person with dignity, honor their autonomy, and acknowledge their inherent worth.
  • Growth: We are committed to continuous learning, both as an organization and as individuals, to better serve those we support.

Guiding Principle

Guiding principles for our target audience that includes farmers, livestock producers, and their families

  • We envision strong, close-knit rural communities where farmers, livestock producers and their families thrive with easy access to high quality mental health support. Rooted in the values of small-town connection and resilience, we foster collaboration and share evidence-based knowledge to ensure that our local producers and their communities can grow and prosper together.

Community and Professional Organizations Involved

  • Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation
  • Vulcan & Region FCSS
  • Act4 Health Coalition – Social Determinates of Health and Social Prescribing
  • Vulcan Community Mental Health Support Committee (aka the Suicide Awareness Committee)
  • Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society – Vulcan
  • Friends of Vulcan County Emergency Services
  • AHS Mental Wellness Clinician
  • Vulcan Community Health Centre’s Manager of Acute and Long-term Care Site Manager
  • Applied Social Psychologist and Professor at the University of Alberta
  • Facilitator from the Mental Health Commission of Canada
  • Addictions Community Support Worker
  • Two active and three retired Palliser Regional School Division Employees
  • Librarians – Vulcan Municipal Library Plus Other Chinook Arch Libraries in Vulcan County

Community Consultants

  • Representatives from the local business community
  • Representatives from our local agricultural community
  • Vulcan County Agricultural Services and County Councillors
  • Vulcan County Regional Ag Societies and Booster Clubs
  • Former Vulcan Regional Victims’ Services advocate
  • Retired family physician
  • RCMP Vulcan Detachment and RCMP ALERT and Integrated Child Exploitation Teams
  • Southern Alberta Regional Victims Serving Society – Vulcan Team
  • Palliser School District School/Parent Councils (Vulcan County Schools)

Collaborative Partners

Local and Regional

  • Vulcan County Agriculture Services and Vulcan County Council
  • Vulcan County Regional Ag Societies
  • Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation Trustees
  • Act4 Health Coalition – Social Determinants and Prescribing
  • Vulcan and Regional Family Community Support Services (FCSS)
  • Vulcan Community Mental Health Support Committee (Suicide Awareness/Prevention)
  • Vulcan County 4-H group leaders and volunteers

Provincial, Federal, and International Organizations

  • The Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus – Rebecca Purc-Stephenson (Ph.D.)
  • Agricultural Wellbeing Alberta (agwellAB)
  • Do More Agriculture Foundation (DoMoreAg)
  • Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture
  • High Plains Research Network – University of Colorado
  • 988 Canadian Suicide Crisis Hotline; National Farmer Crisis Line (1-866-FARMS01); National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line
  • Rowan House Society

Looking Out for Our Own: Mental Wellbeing of Agricultural Families in Vulcan County

Guiding Principle: In Vulcan County, we believe no producer should have to “tough it out” alone. We are committed to a future where high-quality mental wellness support is as accessible as the local parts store. By leaning on our deep-rooted community connections and shared agricultural values, we empower our families to identify the early warning signs of stress, anxiety, and depression, ensuring our farms, ranches, and small towns remain the backbone of a prosperous future.

Mental Wellbeing Resources

  • In Crisis: Call 9-1-1

Immediate Crisis Support (24/7)

National Farmer Crisis Line

  • Contact: 1-866-327-6701 (1-866-FARMS01)
  • Web: ccaw.ca
  • Support: 24/7 ag-informed crisis support.

Suicide Crisis Helpline

  • Contact: 9-8-8
  • Support: 24/7 call or text support.

Specialized Counselling & Therapy

AgTalk

Agricultural Well-Being Alberta

  • Web: agwellab.ca
  • Support: Alberta ag-specialized therapist directory.

Do More Agriculture Foundation

Additional Ag-Family Mental Health Resources HERE

Looking Out for Our Own: What Parents Should Know about Internet Child Exploitation

Guiding Principle: To empower parents, guardians, and caregivers with the awareness, tools, and confidence necessary to safeguard children from online exploitation through proactive education, open dialogue, and a community-wide commitment to digital safety.

Internet Child Exploitation Resources

  • 911 Immediate Danger
  • Contact: 9-1-1 Immediate risk or danger.

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

  • Contact: 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline if you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide.

Cybertip.ca

  • Contact: 1-800-532-9135
  • Online: cybertip.ca/en/report/
  • Report illegal online child materials and illegal child exploitation activities.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Vulcan:

  • Non-Emergency Complaints: 403-485-2266
  • If a child is in immediate danger, you should call 9-1-1 immediately.

NeedHelpNow.ca

Kids Help Phone

  • Phone: 1-800-668-6868
  • Text: CONNECT to 686868
  • Online: kidshelpphone.ca
  • 24/7 mental health support youth.

Additional Internet Child Exploitation Directory of Resources and Helplines HERE

Mental Wellbeing Agricultural Families

Resources

National Farmer Crisis Line: Format: 24/7 Phone. Contact: 1-866-327-6701 (1-866-FARMS01).

  • Get immediate crisis support and connected to ag-informed counselling services when you need it most. For More Information visit: ccaw.ca/national-farmer-crisis_line
  • Target Audience: Farmers, Ranchers, Ag Family Members, Farm Employees.

Suicide Crisis Helpline: Format: 24/7 Call or Text. Contact: 9-8-8.

  • Free, confidential, 24/7 suicide crisis support for you or someone you’re worried about. Available Canada-wide. Target Audience: Anyone in a crisis and is thinking about suicide.

AgTalk (Powered by Togetherall): Format: 24/7 Online Chat/Community. Website: domore.ag/agtalk

  • An anonymous, peer-to-peer platform for sharing struggles and finding support in a secure, moderated environment. Target Audience: Anyone 16+ in the agricultural community.

Agricultural Well-Being Alberta (agwellAB): Format: Website/Online Directory. Contact: agwellab.ca.

  • AgWell Farmer Wellness Network) is an Alberta-based initiative specifically designed to bridge the gap between mental health services and the unique culture of farming.
  • Provides mental health resources, farm transition information, and a directory of specialized therapists.
  • Target Audience: Farmers and the agricultural community.

Alberta Counselling Centre: Format: Phone or Video sessions accessible from your truck or tractor. Contact: 1-833-827-4230 or albertacounselling.ca

  • Offers confidential support specifically tailored for the farming community.
  • Target Audience: Farmers and agricultural workers.

Porch Light Mental Wellness Society: Format: Online Directory. Contact: porchlightsociety.ca

  • Maintains a directory of Alberta services and specific supports for those in the rodeo world.
  • Target Audience: Albertans and the rodeo community.

Rowan House Society Support Line: Format: 24/7 Phone. Contact: 403-652-3311 or 1-855-652-3311.

  • Provides crisis support for those experiencing domestic violence.
  • Target Audience: Individuals affected by domestic violence.

Kids Help Phone: Format: 24/7 Phone or Text. Contact: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868.

  • Offers professional support for any issue, from family concerns to emotional well-being.
  • Target Audience: Children and youth.

Alberta Mental Health Help Line: Format: 24/7 Phone. Contact: 1-877-303-2642

  • Offers confidential support and referrals for mental health concerns.
  • Target Audience: All Albertans.

211 Alberta: Format: 24/7 Phone, Text, and Chat. Contact: Call 2-1-1 or text INFO to 211.

  • Helps individuals find the right community resource or service for any issue.
  • Target Audience: All Albertans.

Steps to Support: Format: Website. Contact: stepstosupport.com

  • Offers a guide on effective ways to talk to someone who may be struggling.
  • Target Audience: Peers looking to support others.

Buddy Up: Format: Website and Campaign. Contact: buddyup.ca.

  • A suicide prevention campaign designed for men, by men.
  • Target Audience: Men

Threads of Life: Format: Contact Information: (Phone)1-888-567-9490; (Email) contact@threadsoflife.ca

  • One-on-One peer support and networking events. Provides a peer-to-peer volunteer “Family Guide” program for those navigating the aftermath of a workplace tragedy.
  • Target Audience: Families and individuals impacted by a workplace tragedy.

Access Mental Health: Format: Phone. Contact: 1-844-943-1500.

  • Clinicians refer individuals to the most appropriate local mental health and addiction resources.
  • Target Audience: General public.

South Zone Services (Lethbridge): Format: Phone. Contact: 1-888-594-0211.

  • Provides mental health and addiction services for the South Zone region.
  • Target Audience: Residents of the South Zone/Lethbridge area.

Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS: Format: Phone or Email. Contact: 587-370-3728 or email counsellingservices@fcss.ca.

  • Offers specialized counselling services.
  • Target Audience: Residents of southern Vulcan County.

Foothills Community Counselling: Format: Phone or Email. Contact: 403-603-3549 or fcc@highriver.ca

  • Provides professional counselling for individuals, families, and couples.
  • Target Audience: Residents of the Foothills Area.

SMART Recovery: Format: In-person meetings Wednesdays (7:00 – 8:30 pm) at the Vulcan Community Health Centre. Contact: Call Beth at 403-485-1054.

  • SMART Recovery is a self-managed addiction recovery training program that distinguishes itself from 12-step models by offering science-based support meetings.
  • Target Audience: Individuals seeking addiction support.

Al-Anon Family Group Meetings: Format: In-person meetings on Thursdays at 5:30 pm. Contact: Call Betty at (403) 652-8285.

  • Offers a support group for those affected by another person’s drinking.
  • Target Audience: Families and friends of alcoholics.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Anglican Church: Format: In-person meetings Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 pm. Contact: Call Gary at (403) 485-5818.

  • Provides peer-led recovery support for alcoholism.
  • Target Audience: Individuals seeking recovery from alcohol.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Hospital: Format: In-person meetings Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm Contact: Call Mike at (403) 485-8119.

  • Offers an additional peer-led recovery group for alcohol addiction.
  • Target Audience: Individuals seeking recovery from alcohol.

Rapid Access Counselling (RAC): Format: Phone or Website. Contact: 1-877-244-2360 or racalberta.ca

  • Offers timely, change-focused conversations for immediate support.
  • Target Audience: All Albertans and their families.

TBA

Internet Child Exploitation

Resources

Background Information