Ag Society Seeking Support for Rural Mental Health Initiative

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nikki Jamieson
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Support is being sought to bring a rural mental health initiative to Vauxhall.

During the regular March 2 meeting, Vauxhall council reviewed a request for support from the Vauxhall Ag Society.

According to the letter, the ag society is requesting support to administer a rural mental health initiative called Empowering Minds: The First Identifies Initiative. This is a province-wide program put on by the Alberta Association of Ag Societies (AAAS) and Ian Hill, an internationally recognized social innovator and mental health advocate. It focuses on community education, early intervention, and building local capacity to better equip people to support one another and reduce the stigma of mental health in rural communities.

The initiative includes a six-week awareness campaign; a community event day featuring leadership training, youth engagement and shared supper with mental health training sessions; and follow-up support and opportunities for participants and volunteers.

Coun. Paul Ballard, who is the president of the Vauxhall Ag Society, said they were looking for non-funding support in the form of venues to put on a couple of the events, and the ag society would take care of the funds needed to a put them on.

“It addresses mental health issues within the rural community, particularly associated to agricultural issues, where people are actually showing one of the highest suicide rates that comes from people involved in agriculture. Basically, it’s to try to address that,” said Ballard. “Basically, it’s to advise people what to watch for, people’s mental health and how to take care of that on your own and for other people.”

Ballard noted that the presentation had received a lot of accolades

As part of the non-funding support, Ballard said it would include social media mentions on when the events would happen in the town. They were also reaching out to the M.D. of Taber to host some events, as well as local businesses for support. There is currently no fixed date for any presentations.

“We’re not asking for money from the town. It’s just an acknowledgement of what we’re going to do, and if we can use a couple of facilities. Depending on the size of the response, we might be able to host the whole thing out at our new multi-purpose building.”

Mayor Kimberly Cawley noted they could partner with FCSS, as they provide counselling services in the area.

Council received the letter for information, and to draft a letter of support.