Bow Valley See the Signs

05/14/2026

Feeling overwhelmed when someone is in crisis and not sure how to help? Have you always wanted to take an in-person course like Community Helpers or ASIST but haven't had the time?

Check out the new ONLINE Psychological First Aid course offered for a low cost through the Town of Banff! This course offers great building blocks for learning how to help folks in crisis and can be self-paced to fit around your busy schedule.

05/14/2026

Wildfire season can bring stress, uncertainty, and anxiety, especially when other Alberta communities are already facing evacuations, smoke, or the fear of losing homes and safe spaces. Preparing ahead of time can help reduce panic and create a greater sense of control during difficult moments.

A few ways to prepare:
🔥 Create an emergency kit and evacuation plan
🔥 Keep important documents and medications accessible
🔥 Stay connected with family, neighbours, and community supports like www.seethesigns.ca

Wildfire season impacts all of us differently. For some, it’s happening right now. For others, it brings back difficult memories or adds stress while supporting loved ones. If you’re feeling it, reach out. Support is here when you need it.

Resources & services are available to help you cope with health care needs & stress, plus important contacts & emergency preparedness tips. Visit https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/page14070.aspx or call 211. You are not alone.

05/13/2026

Housing affects more than where we live: it impacts our mental health, sense of belonging, stress levels, and ability to stay connected to our community. In the Bow Valley, we know that housing challenges can lead to anxiety, burnout, isolation, and people being forced to leave our community.

If you have experienced any of these things, share your experiences and feedback in the survey linked below. This anonymous survey will provide local decision makers with data that can improve the future of housing in Bow Valley.

05/12/2026

Even though Bow Valley Mental Health and Addiction Week has wrapped up, many of the supports, services, and resources are available all year round ❤️

Remember, whatever you're feeling is perfectly normal, but if it feels like you're struggling there are places and people who can help! www.seethesigns.ca is a hub for all of the Bow Valley's support services for mental health and wellbeing. On the site you can find information on groups like Frankie D’s Donuts that provide connection points for mental health (and donuts!) many times throughout the year 🍩

05/06/2026

Are you looking to find more information about local mental health supports? Connect with community organizations offering free or low-cost programs that support our 6 pillars of wellbeing? Or just grab some free food and drink?

Visit the Wellness Market, tomorrow, at the Bison Courtyard in Banff as part of Bow Valley Mental Health and Addiction Week! It looks like it will be a beautiful day to connect with the community ☀

04/21/2026

What kind of information can you find on www.seethesigns.ca?

Community services that help with healthy foods🍎, recreation 🤸‍♀️, social connections 👫, and affordability 🤑
How to improve your mental health 🧠
Places to call or visit to talk to someone about mental health ☎️

And the best part? The website is available in 8 languages!

04/09/2026

Ever wondered how to put one of our pillars of mental health and wellbeing, "Build Meaning and Purpose", into action? Volunteering with Bow Valley Mental Health and Addiction Week is one way!

If you're looking to share your experiences with mental health, maybe help others connect with resources, or just lend a hand in set-up/take-down of events, there's three different ways to get involved this year! And if you live in Canmore or further east along the Bow Valley, the week has expanded past Banff to hold events Bow Valley wide 💛

Did you know that volunteering is good for your mental health?

✨ Volunteering is linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety. (source: Mayo Clinic Health System)
✨ 77% of volunteers said volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing. (source: NCVO.org)
✨ Around two-thirds of volunteers (68%) agreed their volunteering had helped them feel less isolated. (source: NCVO.org)

Are you interested in volunteering with Bow Valley Mental Health & Addiction Week?

Learn more about the 3 volunteer roles and the training opportunities available this month.
📌 Ambassadors
📌 Peer Support
📌 Event Support

Share these opportunities with your friends and co-workers!

Visit the BVMHAW website and download the PDF for more details: 👇
https://www.bvmhaw.ca/volunteer

03/11/2026

Have a friend whose mental health you're concerned about? Are you wanting to ask, "how he's really doing", but you're not sure how? The campaign encourages us to check in on each other to help prevent su***de, and these infographics can help guide us through these conversations. You can also visit www.buddyup.ca for more!

03/11/2026

Are you looking for ways to improve your well-being but you aren't sure where to start? Struggling with cost of living or the price of food? Feeling stressed out? Join Marika at the Banff Public Library today for an interactive presentation exploring seethesigns.ca. Whether you are struggling yourself or want to help someone else, Marika will help you learn what's available in Banff to support you.

There's a lot happening this week at the Library! Join us for one of these amazing programs, and see what else is coming up this month - there's something for everyone!

🗓WEDNESDAY:
See the Signs (Adult Programming, drop-in presentation with Recovery Alberta): https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar/2026/03.-march/see-the-signs-presentation?id=1773248400-1038558

🗓THURSDAY:
Future Leaders Youth Council (Pre-Teen Programming, hosted by Jackie from the Biosphere Institute, registration must be done through her): https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar/2026/03.-march/future-leaders-youth-council-biosphere-institute?id=1773354600-1039366

Death Cafe (Adult Programming, hosted by Valerie, Jackie, and Judy; registration required): https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar/2026/03.-march/death-cafe?id=1773364500-1033159

🗓FRIDAY:
Yoga (Adult Programming, drop-in): https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar/2026/weekly-programs/yoga-at-the-library?id=1773447300-1012380

🗓SATURDAY:
Once Upon an Alphabet (Family Programming, drop-in): https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar/2026/weekly-programs/once-upon-an-alphabet?id=1773502200-1013219

Check out the Events Calendar for all upcoming programming here 👉 https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar

03/05/2026

Are you looking for a way to connect with members of our Bow Valley community through discussions on mental health? Or sharing your own experiences with mental health and addiction in the hopes of helping others?

Check out the volunteer and Ambassador opportunities with Bow Valley Mental Health and Addiction Week! Mental Health and Addiction week is happening from May 3-8 this year and we can't wait to see you there.

P.S. New this year - events are expanded past Banff to include Canmore and beyond as well!

Banff Mental Health And Addiction Week Partner Registration