CDN Signs Cross-Border Community Investment Deal with Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention

by Cara | Dec 10, 2024 | News

Exciting Opportunity For RCSP

CDN Signs Cross-Border Community Investment Deal with Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention to Address Mental Health and Wellness in Tradespeople

CDN announced that it has signed a 14-month financial investment to sponsor the delivery of Tough Enough To Talk About It mental health and wellness training throughout Canada and the United States.

In addition to the sponsorship, CDN commits that all people-leaders will complete Tough Enough training prior to July 1. Following this, the training will be made available to any of CDN’s 750 employees and contractors who wish to participate in the training.

Training delivered in Canada will be sponsored by CDN. Training in the U.S. will be funded under the name of CDN’s global brand, CAVIS Energy.

“Today, we are making a clear statement that CDN understands that within every HSE program, there must be an equal focus on health as there is safety,” says Dean Fraser, CEO of CDN. “Within our industry, we are responsible not just for the physical safety of our people, but also for their psychological safety. We all have a responsibility to invest in the mental and physical health of our people, our industry, and the overall wellness of our communities.”

“In Canada, 3 out 4 suicide deaths are men,” says Tracy Golnick, Director, RCSP Men’s Mental Health programs. “This is especially concerning in male-dominated industries, where the stigma surrounding mental health is a significant barrier for men seeking support, as societal expectations often discourage those tough conversations and accessing resources. Building a workplace culture that emphasizes mental health, especially in trades and industry, is a key factor in suicide prevention for everyone.”

“We are extremely pleased to see the important partnership of CDN and the Resource Center for Suicide Prevention with focus and investment into mental health within our trades and industry sectors,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “Both CDN and the Tough Enough Program are a testament to what can grow from the remarkable leaders that stem from our Peace Region. I am excited to see how this partnership will grow to serve our community and beyond.”

CDN is Western Canada’s leader in electrical and instrumentation maintenance, automation, communication, and renewable/solar services, with a collective team of more than 750 employees.

RCSP has been providing suicide prevention programs and resources for over 40 years with a vision of promoting mental well-being, raising awareness, eliminating stigma, and educating to reduce suicide, suicidal behaviors and their impacts.

Tough Enough To Talk About It is a comprehensive mental health program developed in Grande Prairie and now licensed and delivered throughout the trades, industry, and agriculture sectors in Canada and the U.S. Tough Enough recognizes the unique nature, risks, and rewards of these demanding sectors and their impact on mental health and well-being. The training aims to build a workplace culture of support that reduces the stigma around mental health by cultivating an environment that encourages open dialogue and a support network.

Listen to Tracy Golnick discuss Tough Enough To Talk about it on the Starting Conversations Podcast:

To learn more about Tough Enough To Talk About It or the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention please visit www.startingconversations.ca

Reflecting on Mental Health Week in Grande Prairie, Alberta: Building Resilience and Community Support

by Cara | May 16, 2024 | News

Mental Health Week in Grande Prairie, May 6th to May 12th, was a dynamic and engaging experience filled with events, conversations, and initiatives to foster community resilience and support. Various organizations throughout the community organized activities, workshops, and engagement opportunities throughout the week. Some events included family yoga, crafts, a community BBQ, and the Mental Health Summit hosted by the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention and Northwestern Polytechnic to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and put mental wellbeing at the forefront.

Working with other organizations during Mental Health Week can amplify our collective impact and reach more people who need support. This year’s theme, created by the Canadian Mental Health Association, was ‘A Call to Be Kind‘, focused on building connections, sharing resources and sparking meaningful conversations. The goal was to create a ripple effect of compassion and empowerment for individuals to take control of their mental wellbeing and build a community of kindness and support

Jayden Sydoruk

Community Helpers Program Coordinator, Resource Centre For Suicide Prevention

Community Engagement and Education

The kickoff of Mental Health Week was a testament to our community’s collaborative spirit—a small planning committee representing various organizations designed a community calendar hosted by RCSP. The calendar showcased weekly events with dates, times, and locations.

Stakeholders, professionals, and community members gathered to promote wellness and mental health in the trades, industry, and agriculture sectors.

By spotlighting these challenges, the Summit aimed to initiate meaningful conversations and develop targeted strategies to support the mental wellbeing in these sectors.

Elder Theresa Gladue giving the opening prayer for the Mental Health Summit

Kicking off the conference was a Tough Enough To Talk About It presentation with program coordinaor Tracy Golnick.

Tough Enough To Talk About It is a comprehensive mental health program created specifically for Trades, Industry, and Agriculture. It aims to foster a workplace culture of support that reduces mental health stigma.

The presentation stirred a lot of discussion, from the pressures of demanding work environments to the stigma surrounding mental health in traditionally male-dominated fields and the barriers to accessing support and resources.

Tracy Golnick presenting Tough Enough To Talk About It

The Mental Health Summit was an amazing opportunity to build connections, participate in crucial conversations, and create space for mental health in trades and industries, occupations that typically don’t talk about mental well-being. Having so many passionate participants come together to learn, share, and take back information to their companies was both inspiring and humbling.

Tracy Golnick

Director of Men's Mental Health, Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention

Keynote Presentation

Keynote speaker Kris Marks, Owner/Founder of VĪV Mental Health, shared his lived experience with delegates, speaking about the internal and external obstacles he faced overcoming a traumatic event when he was young and its impact on him as an adult. Kris’s story was a compelling example of the strength in vulnerability and the importance of seeking help and knowing that you are not alone.

441452861_784215733809170_8711656157450616642_n

Over the two days, breakout sessions occurred, and experts shared insights and practical strategies for promoting mental wellbeing in the workplace and fostering supportive cultures. Thirteen breakout sessions over two days included topics such as HR’s Role in Mental Health Awareness with Danielle Hessler, Two Twelve Consulting, Understanding Suicide & Why Companies Need to Talk About It with Tammy Monro, Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention, and Conflict and Boundaries and De-escalation: Learning to Thrive in the Midst of Conflict, Lauren Van Ewyk, National Farmer Mental Health Alliance.

Dave Nix, who flew in from Texas, shared with delegates how ConocoPhillips’ partners with external resources to decrease stigma, increase access, and encourage those struggling to get care and on how company leaders can incorporate aspects of mental wellbeing into the company culture.

Dave Nix, Conoco Phillips, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Manager

The stories, conversations, and support offered during Mental Health Week in Grande Prairie have illuminated the path toward a more compassionate and understanding society.

But the end of Mental Health Week is not the end of the journey. It’s merely a milestone along the way. We must continue the conversations we’ve started and dismantle the stigma. Let it serve as a reminder that mental health is not a one-week affair; it’s a lifelong commitment to ourselves and each other.

Together, we can create a world where mental health is valued, supported, and prioritized. Let’s keep the conversation going, support one another, and strive for a brighter, healthier future for all.

For more information about our programs and workshops, please visit