Community, Connection and Belonging

Bow Valley Mental Health & Addiction Week, May 3-8, 2026, brought together organizations, volunteers, peer supporters, community leaders, facilitators, and residents from across the region for a week of conversation, connection, learning, and support.

As a community, the Bow Valley continues to navigate both the opportunities and challenges that come with living and working in a unique mountain environment — one shaped by seasonality, housing pressures, transient workforces, and the importance of social connection and belonging. Rather than approaching this topic from the BLLHA perspective alone, we wanted to help shine a light on the people and organizations leading this work every day.

Below is our conversation with Amanda Arbuckle, Chair of Bow Valley Mental Health & Addiction Week, as we looked back on the week that was, to understand what stood out most and what continues to give hope for the future of community well-being in the Bow Valley.

What stood out to you most during Mental Health & Addiction Week?

“What stood out most during Mental Health & Addiction Week was just how deeply people in the Bow Valley care about one another. We saw people showing up not only for the events themselves, but for each other. Long-time residents took time to help newer community members find connections to programs, services, and opportunities to build relationships. We also saw people intentionally reaching out at events to familiar faces they hadn’t seen in a while, recognizing that sometimes social connection and simply checking in can make a real difference.

Many people welcomed the opportunity to have honest conversations, share experiences, and learn more about how to support themselves and others.

For some people, talking about mental health or asking for support can still feel uncomfortable or difficult, even when they may really need that connection. That reminder is important because it shows there is still work to do in creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and able to reach out without fear of judgment.”

This year’s Mental Health & Addiction Week was really centered around collaboration and connection. In a community like the Bow Valley, those things are incredibly important because strong community networks play such a significant role in overall well-being.

Why are connection and belonging so important in a place like the Bow Valley?

“Many people here are living far from family support, navigating seasonal work, precarious housing and low wages, so creating meaningful, low-cost opportunities to connect can have a real impact on mental health.

In addition, we saw very clearly that people wanting to reconnect with nature, the outdoors, and one another in more intentional ways. Many participants were looking for opportunities to disconnect from technology, slow down, and engage in gentle self-awareness practices in social settings.

Another focus for the week was exploring how nonprofits, grassroots initiatives, and community organizations could work together more intentionally to build programs, strengthen connections, and increase community capacity.”

One of the clearest themes throughout the week was that mental health support does not happen because of one organization alone. It depends on collaboration, trust, and a strong network of community partners working together.

What makes this broader system of support possible?

“Mental health support does not happen because of one organization alone, and this year’s Mental Health & Addiction Week was a great example of how much can happen when a community comes together.

One of our major focuses this year was strengthening community support systems by ensuring that people in leadership roles, frontline positions, and community-facing organizations were well versed in local mental health and addiction resources and services.

We worked closely with Recovery Alberta and many agencies involved in the SeeTheSigns campaign. The SeeTheSigns website is an incredible resource for the Bow Valley because it brings together a wide range of community supports and services in one place.

Another important part of this year’s week was ensuring that peer mentors were available at every program and event.

What really stood out this year was the collective willingness of people and organizations to work together, share knowledge, and strengthen community capacity. That collaboration is such an important part of building a healthier, more connected Bow Valley.”

What makes the Bow Valley both rewarding and challenging when it comes to mental health and well-being?

“Despite the challenges, people genuinely care about one another, and there are many incredible nonprofits, grassroots initiatives, and support services working hard to improve community well-being — often made possible through support from organizations like the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation.

We are also fortunate to live in a place where people can connect with nature and the outdoors, which plays a really positive role in mental health.

At the same time, the Bow Valley faces some very real challenges that impact mental health and well-being. Precarious housing, low wages, and the high cost of living create significant stress for many residents. We continually hear about the need for more low-cost social connection opportunities outside of the bar scene, particularly for young adults and people looking for meaningful ways to build community.”

What gives you hope for the future?

“That people genuinely care about one another here!

At the same time, there is an opportunity for us to continue growing in how we support each other by having more authentic check-ins with one another, including being willing to ask the harder questions when needed.

I’m encouraged by the continued investment in community mental health supports, including the Banff Canmore Foundation’s Mental Health Fund, which helps grassroots initiatives grow and develop new programs and events.

And of course, programs that build capacity, like Applied Suicide Intervention Training (ASIST) and Community Helpers — these programs give me real hope.”

Do you have any final reflections from the week? 

“We wanted this year’s events to continue humanizing mental health and addiction while reducing stigma. One of the most meaningful parts of the week was hearing from our six incredible ambassadors who courageously shared their personal mental health journeys and lived experiences. Their stories created powerful moments of honesty, empathy, and understanding within the community.

We are also excited that additional virtual storytelling from each of the ambassadors will continue to be shared throughout the summer to help keep these important conversations going year-round.”

In closing

The success of Mental Health & Addiction Week would not have been possible without the dedication, compassion, and collaboration of so many people across the Bow Valley community. We extend our sincere thanks to Amanda Arbuckle and her team from BVMHAW for their leadership and commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and support throughout the week.

We are also deeply grateful to the Ambassadors, volunteers, sponsors, community partners, presenters, and every individual who participated in events and conversations over the course of the week. Your willingness to show up, share experiences, support one another, and help foster a more caring and connected community is what made this week so impactful. Together, you helped create spaces where people felt welcomed, heard, and encouraged to prioritize mental health and wellbeing, not just during this week, but year-round.

The week itself may be over, but the conversations — and the collective responsibility to support one another — continue.

As a community, there is still work to do. But there is also a strong foundation of people, organizations, and partnerships committed to building a healthier, more connected Bow Valley together.

Good mental health includes being aware of your abilities, being able to cope with the stresses of daily life, being able to work productively, and being able to participate in your community.

If you feel detached from the people around you, overwhelmed by stress, or too distracted or distraught to be productive, those are all signs that your mental health may be struggling. If you see the signs, there are Bow Valley resources and support services available.