Bow Valley See the Signs

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!

Would you be interested in being a Bow Valley Mental Health Ambassador?

Join a caring group of volunteer community members. Ambassadors share their own lived mental health experience to inform the community about the diversity of mental health and addiction illnesses, to help reduce the stigma, and to inspire recovery and hope. Ambassadors will be able to share their healthcare journey at events and programs and through interviews and videos.

You can watch for these Ambassadors at events or listen to their stories online. They are here to inspire you.

Ambasadors are community members with lived experience or people who are keen on supporting their fellow community members. They are not licensed professionals, agency representatives or crisis responders. The stories, advice or information they share is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical care.

Learn more and apply now: 👇
https://www.bvmhaw.ca/ambassadors

02/25/2026

Today, on Pink Shirt Day, we're reflecting on what it is like to be a kid in the Bow Valley. In a small community, everyone knows everyone. That can be the best thing in the world — and sometimes the hardest. There’s nowhere to hide, but there’s also always someone watching out for you.

Pink Shirt Day started right here in Canada, when two students stood up for a classmate who was bullied for wearing pink. Their small act of kindness turned into a nationwide movement — one that reminds us that courage doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

02/17/2026

Great news for folks with International Experience Canada visas! The previous decision to suspend Alberta Health Care coverage has been reversed and you will continue to be eligible for coverage. Check out the updates from Bow Valley Immigration Partnership - BVIP for more information and visit the local registries to apply.

📣 Update: Wednesday, February 11th 2026

BVIP has confirmed with AHCIP and Alberta Registries that on February 10, 2026, Alberta Health issued Notice 121 to all registries, including Banff.

Notice 121 confirms that the previous decision affecting Alberta Health Care coverage for temporary foreign workers with International Experience Canada (IEC – Case Type 58) work permits has been reversed.

This means that if you were refused in the last 4 weeks, you can now go back to an Alberta Registry and reapply or renew your Alberta Health Care Coverage.

To be eligible you must have:

✔️A work permit valid for at least 12 months
✔️Proof of full-time employment

We have updated our resource page with more information.

Read more here: https://bvipartnership.com/resources-blog/albertahealth-2026-update

BVIP welcomes the decision to restore provincial health coverage for IEC participants.

⛰️ When newcomers are set up for success, the whole community benefits.

💙 We are grateful to all our partners and broader community in the Bow Valley for their support and advocacy throughout the last 4-week period.

01/21/2026

❗️Changes have been made to Alberta Health Care coverage for folks with Case Type 58 and 59 visas❗️

It's normal for changes like this to cause stress and anxiety, but there are places you can go to for help that don't require provincial health care coverage.

🏨 FREE walk-in mental health clinics are available every day from 2-9pm at Banff and Canmore hospitals. The clinicians speak English but can access interpretation in 240+ languages.

☎️ There are many FREE, 24/7 mental health helpline that are available in English and offer interpretation:
📞 9-8-8 Su***de Crisis Helpline
📞 403-266-4357 Distress Centre
📞 1-877-303-2642 Mental Health Helpline

⚠️ Important Update for IEC, Working Holiday & Young Professionals Visa Holders and Co op Work Permit holders⚠️

This message is for employers and individuals on “Case Type 58” visas, including International Experience Canada (IEC), Working Holiday, and Young Professionals visas and “Case Type 59” Co-op Work Permits.

As of January 7, Alberta Registries were notified that Case Type 58 visa holders are no longer eligible for Alberta Health Care coverage. Case Type 59 Co op Work Permit Holders need to show their fulltime enrollment paperwork. This information has been shared with registries across the province, but no public guidance has been released yet.

As far as we know, these changes only impact NEW applications for Alberta Health care coverage from January 7th, 2026.

If your Alberta Health care application was approved before this date, you should still have provincial health care coverage while your work permit is still valid, and your Alberta Health Care card is valid.

If you are not sure or need help, please reach out to Foreign Workers Bow Valley

Email tfw@banff.ca or visit https://banff.ca/860/Foreign-Worker-Support

⚕️ What you need to know right now:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires all Case Type 58 visa holders to have private health insurance to enter and stay in Canada.

If you have private health insurance, do NOT cancel it. If you participate in high-risk sports, check that your insurance includes this coverage.

If you are an employer, please share this information with your staff.

BVIP is actively gathering information from partner organizations and will share verified updates on our website and social media as soon as they are available.

We know this change may cause stress and uncertainty. Support is available.

🏥 Mental health support — no Alberta Health Care required

Accessing these services does not affect your immigration status.

Walk-In Mental Health Clinics
Language support: English + interpretation in over 240 languages

Available Daily, 2:00–9:00 pm

Where:

🏥 Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, 305 Lynx St, Banff, AB T1L 1H7
🏥 Canmore General Hospital, 1100 Hospital Pl, Canmore, AB T1W 1N2
📲 Free Phone & Online Support (24/7)

📞 Su***de Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8

📞 Distress Centre Helpline: 403-266-4357

📞Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642

📞Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

📞National Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366

Translation support is available for languages beyond English.

Multilingual mental health resource sheets are available from the See The Signs website here: https://www.seethesigns.ca/partners-toolkit/

To learn more, please visit: https://bvipartnership.com/resources-blog/albertahealth-2026-update

01/20/2026

It's National Non-Smoking Week! If you're looking to quit smoking or va**ng, maybe this is your sign to take the first step with Alberta Quits, a free helpline. See the story below to hear from one of the counsellors you may chat with on their helpline!

Crystal Rye, an AlbertaQuits counseling lead, feels it’s an absolute honour to help Albertans who are trying to quit smoking or va**ng.

Crystal works with the AlbertaQuits helpline, 1-866-710-QUIT (7848), which provides free, confidential support from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, for those who want to cut back on or quit to***co and va**ng. Translation services are available.

“I mean, change is really hard. And we humans can be so hard on ourselves – we shame ourselves and judge ourselves. I think one of the beautiful things about the helpline is when people share those difficult emotions, we can give them tools to look at it in a new way,” Crystal says.

AlbertaQuits counselors provide support over the phone. They help clients develop a quitting plan, deal with cravings and triggers and offer support up to 12 months after quitting. There is also a group support program called QuitCore.

“People tend to be really happy when they contact us and realize that yes, we can work with them to develop a plan.

Funnily enough, my friend was talking with some co-workers about quitting smoking and one of them – who didn’t know what I did for a living – said, ‘You need to call the Alberta Quits Helpline. You will not feel the same after you get off the call. You will feel like you can do it.’”

It’s National Non-Smoking Week. Start your year off right by setting a date to quit smoking! It’s easier to reach your goals when you have a plan. Get tips for success at albertaquits.ca.

01/13/2026

Thank you Lake Louise Sport and Recreation Centre for sharing this important information about Blue Monday!

Take care of yourself, friends! There are people who care about you in the community, so come see us and ask for help if you need it!

Did you know next Monday is "Blue Monday"? While the concept stems from a 2005 marketing campaign, it resonates due to real factors like post-holiday debt, failed resolutions, cold weather, and reduced daylight. This is a great time to raise awareness for mental health, encourage self-care, connection, and address winter blues.

Frankie D’s & BanffLife are holding another Donuts & Conversations event this week! This session will continue their theme of making new friends while also shedding some light on SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). If you need a push to get out and connect, this is your sign. Click the link to register. https://www.frankiedsdonuts.com/communityevents

Remember that there are a multitude of resources available in the Bow Valley should you find yourself in need. www.seethesigns.ca is a great place to explore the many supports available like food supports, social connections options and more. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, please refer to the Urgent Care team at the Banff & Canmore Hospitals as well as 9.8.8 for anyone experiencing thoughts of su***de.

Thank you to our friends in the Town of Banff for these great reminders!

01/08/2026

Have you thought about doing Dry January, but felt like abstaining from alcohol would be too hard? Don't worry, even small steps to cut back on alcohol can benefit your mental health and wellbeing. It's called "Damp January", and here's a few ways to do it!

⬇️ Schedule some alcohol-free days each week
⬇️ Explore non-alcoholic beer, wine, and coolers
⬇️ Share with friends or family that you're limiting alcohol to have accountability partners

If you're looking for good resources to learn more about the benefits of reducing alcohol, visit https://knowalcohol.ca/ or https://the-proof.ca/

01/06/2026

Staying Active is one of our six pillars of mental wellbeing, but it can be challenging to do in the winter. Thankfully, the Bow Valley has lots of options to check out that help make staying active more affordable!

✅The Town of Banff and Town of Canmore both have affordable services programs that can grant you access to their fitness facilities for a low cost
✅ Some local run clubs run in the winter too! They accommodate all paces and can be a great place to meet new people
✅ Local sporting gear stores often have locals discounts so you can rent skates, snowshoes, or cross-country skis for a low price and head out on our free local trails

01/01/2026

Happy New Year, Bow Valley! A new year often brings self-reflection and a desire for self-improvement, and maybe this year that includes seeking support for your mental health 🧠

Thankfully, the Bow Valley has multiple FREE options to get mental health counselling and therapy:
🩵The Bow Valley Primary Care Network offers group classes and one-on-one counselling for mild concerns. Call them at 403-675-3000 for a consultation!
💚Our local Recovery Alberta clinics offer free counselling for moderate to severe concerns. Call Access Mental Health at 403-943-1500 for intake and referrals!
💛Walk-in mental health clinics operate every day from 2-9pm at both Banff and Canmore hospitals. Visit the mental health clinicians here for anything from mild to severe concerns.

Not sure if what you're feeling constitutes as mild, moderate, or severe? Take the quiz at www.seethesigns.ca/quiz/ to find the answer!

And remember, crisis hotlines like 9-8-8 are available at all hours of the day and the ER is open 24/7 if you feel in danger of harming yourself.

12/30/2025

Social isolation can be a big contributor to low moods and struggling mental health. Feeling disconnected doesn’t always mean being physically alone, you can be surrounded by people and still feel unseen, unheard, or disconnected.

If you're looking for more ways to meet new people in the Bow Valley in supportive and alcohol-free environments, check out the following organizations and their social programs: BanffLIFE, Canmore Young Adult Network - CYAN, Canmore Pride, Banff Pride, Bow Valley Connections Centre, or browse www.seethesigns.ca/community-resources/ for more!

12/24/2025

If the next couple days feel heavy, you’re not alone. The holidays can bring loneliness, family tension, or memories of loss. If you’re struggling, please know that your feelings are normal—there’s no “right” way to experience this time of year. If you want any extra support, visit www.seethesigns.ca to find local mental health resources.

Some other kind things you can do for yourself this week:
🫂Reach out to someone safe for support
🤍Lower expectations of what the holidays "should" be
☕️Take breaks from this busy season when you need them

12/21/2025

Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year! 🌙 It's totally normal that less daylight can affect mood, energy, and motivation, especially for those experiencing seasonal low mood or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

However, implementing some of these small self-care acts may help boost your mood:
🌞Getting outside during daylight hours, even if it's just a small walk to the shops or around the block
🛌 Keeping a routine bedtime schedule (dimming indoor lights an hour before bed can help promote sleepiness!)
❤️Being extra compassionate with yourself as this is only temporary

And don't worry, brighter days are ahead—even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. ✨