Recovery College Rural Outreach: Free Mental Wellness Workshops in Northwest Alberta

In 2027, CMHA Alberta Northwest Region will launch a new rural outreach initiative through its existing Recovery College program: 24 free, in-person workshops in approximately 12 rural northwest Alberta communities, with two workshops in each location.

Recovery College offers interactive, recovery-focused education for people seeking practical tools for their own mental wellness or to support someone else. Its courses bring together professional knowledge and lived experience. The proposed series expands in-person learning into communities we do not routinely reach; it does not replace current Recovery College operations.

Residents of smaller communities face long travel distances and limited local access to mental health and recovery education. Rather than requiring them to travel to Grande Prairie or Peace River, we will bring courses to local community spaces. We will select locations based on demonstrated need, travel barriers, a local host organization, and interest in particular topics. Hosts will help identify needs, provide an accessible space, promote the sessions, and connect residents with them. Possible topics include Building Better Boundaries, Finding Hope in Adversity, Insight into Anxiety, Understanding Addiction, Relapse Prevention Planning, and Road to Recovery.

The plan builds on existing outreach. Fairview FCSS has expressed interest, and contacts in Grimshaw have reached out to us. We have a relationship with the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention in Grimshaw, have reached out to Beaverlodge municipal contacts, presented at a Peace River library, and delivered courses with Duncan's First Nation and Horse Lake First Nation. These connections are starting points; we will confirm the 2027 hosts and locations before advertising.

We aim for at least 240 workshop attendances, about 10 per session. We will track total attendances and distinct participants, plus brief feedback on learning and local access. CMHA will contribute facilitator time, administration, scheduling, coordination, financial oversight, and existing curriculum in kind. All activities will be completed in 2027.

The project will benefit residents of approximately 12 smaller northwest Alberta communities where travel to Grande Prairie or Peace River makes in-person Recovery College learning harder to access. Courses are free and open to people seeking tools for their own mental wellness and recovery, as well as family members, caregivers, peers, and others supporting someone else. Participants do not need a diagnosis or previous course experience.

Each community will be offered two local workshops selected with a host organization according to local interest and need. Topics may include managing anxiety, setting boundaries, understanding addiction, relapse prevention, and finding hope through adversity. Bringing the sessions into an accessible community space will reduce travel time and cost and give residents a chance to learn and connect close to home.

Our target is at least 240 participant attendances across 24 workshops, or about 10 attendees per session. Because some residents may attend both local workshops, we estimate approximately 150 distinct people will benefit directly. This is a planning estimate. We will track and report the actual number of unique participants separately from workshop attendances. Local hosts will also gain a connection to Recovery College and information about future courses.