The pandemic has intensified feelings of stress and anxiety, causing alarming levels of despair, suicidal thoughts, and hopelessness in the province of Alberta. Nearly 17% have indicated that they have increased their use of substances as a way to cope.

Of great concern is the sharp increase in suicide this fall, with 1 in 10 Canadians experiencing recent thoughts or feelings of suicide. That’s up from six per cent in the spring and 2.5 per cent throughout pre-pandemic 2016.

When responding to a mental health crisis, overdoses, natural disasters or other emergencies, it takes a special person to want to regularly risk their lives to help keep others safe. But that’s exactly what our region’s first responders do all the time. In Wood Buffalo, we have seen firsthand what police, fire fighters, EMS and healthcare professionals do to keep us safe.
Join us as we celebrate our region's First Responders to say thank you with a day of mental health support, education and awareness.

All funds raised will go directly to support mental health programs offered by Canadian Mental Health Association - Wood Buffalo Region.