Bow Valley See the Signs

09/25/2025

There is a plethora of free helplines offered provincially or nationally, but did you know the Bow Valley has a helpline run locally?!

You can call the YWCA any day, any time, if you're struggling with housing insecurity or violence and receive support. They also offer supportive counselling for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence 💜

lifeline, not silence. 🛟

Our 24/7 crisis line is the only local, round-the-clock service for people experiencing violence or housing insecurity in the Bow Valley.

YWCA Banff ensures that a qualified, trained professional is always on the other end, ready to listen, to act, and to provide life-saving support. Every single day. Every single night. 365 days a year.

If you need support, call 1-403-760-3200.

09/11/2025

Are you overwhelmed by the abundance of free mental health resources available in the Bow Valley? Are you looking to access mental health support but intimidated to do so in English?

New mental health resource info sheets are now available on www.seethesigns.ca/partners-toolkit/ to help break down when you should call or visit different services, and what languages are available at those services.

And even better, these info sheets are available in Chinese, French, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Ukranian as well!

09/10/2025

You asked, we answered! In Chinese, French, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Ukranian 🥳

Yes, that means that the See the Signs website is now available in seven languages beyond English to help more folks improve their wellbeing and connect with community resources in their first languages.

If you've never visited www.seethesigns.ca before, you can expect:
🧠 Tips and tricks to improve your mental health
👯‍♀️ Links to free or low-cost community resources to help you eat well, connect socially, stay active, and more
🏨 Information on free, in-person or online mental health supports in the Bow Valley

09/10/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day. Su***de impacts everybody: whether you have had thoughts of su***de, know people who have thoughts of su***de, or have experienced losing loved ones to su***de.

There are so many places to reach out to if you are struggling with this, and please know you are not alone! Canada's national su***de helpline is 9-8-8, please call if you are thinking about su***de or are worried about somebody else.

Banff and Canmore hospitals also offer walk-in mental health clinics every day from 2-9pm, and any hospital Emergency Department is available to help you if feel like you or someone you know is in danger.

09/04/2025

Everyone has an important role to play in making the Bow Valley and more inclusive community! And the more inclusive a community is, the better our mental health fairs: reduced loneliness, strong social supports, reduced stigma, and culturally relevant supports are all products of inclusive communities.

Join BVIP's meeting next week to have your unique voice heard and have a hand in shaping the future of the Bow Valley.

Keep an eye on this space next week too for announcements of how we're making See the Signs more diverse!

We bring immigrant voices to local leaders and decision-making processes. This Open Meeting is your chance to help design the next IAG that better represents and supports our diverse community and BVIP’s goal of building a more welcoming and inclusive community. All are welcome to attend this free...

08/30/2025

This weekend marks both National Grief Awareness Day 🤍 and National Overdose Awareness Day 💜 and whether you have lost someone, supporting loved ones, or going through your own recovery, you are not alone and whatever you're feeling is perfectly normal.

There are also lots of resources available in the Bow Valley to support you! Visit www.seethesigns.ca/resources/ and scroll to the bottom of the page for a list of free helplines and local in-person support services.

08/26/2025

Today is Women's Equality Day and we would like to recognize that mental health concerns can disproportionately affect women.

✅ Women are almost twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety
✅ Women are more likely to experience gender-based violence, which negatively effects mental health
✅ Women carry more caregiving burdens that can harm their mental health

And unfortunately, more. Mental health equality means women have equal access to care, and fortunately there are many free mental health services here in the Bow Valley! Visit www.seethesigns.ca to find local services 💛

08/19/2025

Did you know that one of the best ways to help yourself is by helping others? Giving back to the community is a powerful way to build meaning and purpose in your life. Research shows that people who engage in acts of kindness and volunteering:

💛 Have lower levels of depression and stress
💛 Greater life satisfaction and resilience

This World Humanitarian Day let's do something good for our community! And if you're looking for a way to get involved in the Bow Valley community, visit www.seethesigns.ca/resources/ and filter for the "Build Meaning and Purpose" pillar to find community organizations you can get involved with like Bow Valley Non-Profits, Rotary Club of Canmore, Rotary Club Of Banff, and many more!

08/15/2025

August 15 is National Relaxation Day which is so important to help our brains and bodies recharge. But did you know you can find rest and relaxation in many ways?
💪 Physical rest
🧠 Mental relaxation
👫 Social rest
🖌 Creative relaxation
.. and more! www.seethesigns.ca has more tips and tricks to incorporate rest and relaxation into your routine to improve your mental health.

We care about the wellness of Bow Valley residents. See the signs that your mental health may be struggling and find self-care and support resources available to you.

08/11/2025

The end of a season can bring changes in housing for many folks in the Bow Valley. For example, switching jobs can mean changing or losing staff accommodations, or roommates can change with folks moving in and out of our community. Situations like these can be very stressful, but there are resources available to support you!

For housing supports, visit www.seethesigns.ca/community-resources/ to find community organizations that support finding housing or homelessness.

For mental health support, you can drop in to the mental health clinics at Banff and Canmore hospitals, every day from 2-9pm.

08/09/2025

Today, we honour the strength, voices, and journeys of Indigenous peoples across the world. We also recognize that intergenerational trauma stemming from colonization continues to impact Indigenous folks' mental health to this day.

Mental health reconciliation for Indigenous peoples includes respecting their knowledge systems, honouring their resilience, and ensuring access to culturally safe care. For example, the Hope for Wellness helpline is an Indigenous specific, 24/7 mental health support 🧡

To learn more about the Indigenous roots of our community, check out this video from Stoney Nation member Travis Rider where he describes how the Bow River got its name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv4A27YC00c

08/06/2025

It's International Day of Friendship! Healthy friendships are so incredibly important for our mental health because they:
👫 Foster a sense of belonging
🥺 Provide emotional support
💪 Build self-esteem

If you're looking for more ways to make friends here in the Bow Valley, visit www.seethesigns.ca and look for tips and community organizations in the "Connect Socially" pillar!