Men from across the Lesser Slave Lake region will have an opportunity to talk about mental health, resilience and the importance of connection when the third annual Men’s Mental Health Forum comes to Slave Lake on Nov. 14.
The free event, presented by the Slave Lake and Area Mental Health Network in partnership with FCSS Slave Lake, ATCO Energy Systems and Community Futures, will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northern Lakes College gym.
This year’s keynote speaker is Tyler Smith, a mental health advocate, public speaker, founder of Not Alone Co. and survivor of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
Smith was one of 13 people who survived the crash, which killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos organization when their team bus collided with a semi-trailer near Tisdale, Saskatchewan, on April 6, 2018. In the years since, Smith has spoken publicly about trauma, grief and mental health.
He founded Not Alone Co., a mental health awareness clothing company intended to encourage conversations about mental health, and has also been involved in the podcast Speak Your Mind, which he co-hosted with former NHL player Riley Sheahan. Smith has described community, conversation and vulnerability as central themes of his mental-health advocacy.
His speaking work has included discussions about his experience with trauma and grief, the importance of seeking support and the role of personal connections in recovery. A speaker biography published by the Prince Victor Music Association describes his presentation as an exploration of navigating mental health and grief following tragedy.
According to the event schedule, the evening will begin with registration and supper, followed by a presentation from Michael Green on chronic stress, burnout and resilience.
That will be followed by an introduction to local support services before Smith’s keynote, Thriving Together: Strategies for Mental Health, Balance, and Resilience.
The forum builds on two previous events organized by the Slave Lake and Area Mental Health Network.
The first forum in 2024 was organized in response to interest from men in the region who wanted more than general awareness of mental health issues, according to organizers. The second annual forum, held in November 2025, featured mental health advocate Allan Kehler and focused on practical tools for dealing with issues including anxiety, depression and emotional resilience.
Organizers said the 2025 event attracted 92 registered participants, with more than 80 people attending. A post-event survey found 98 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with the event.
The 2026 forum is intended to continue that effort by providing a setting where people can hear personal experiences, learn practical strategies and become more familiar with available supports.
The event is open to residents throughout the Lesser Slave Lake region, including High Prairie, Slave Lake and Wabasca.
Admission is free and includes supper and snacks, but organizers say seating is limited and advance registration is encouraged.
Mental-health support is also available locally outside the forum. Alberta Health Services operates community mental-health services from the Slave Lake Government Centre and Library, offering assessment and outpatient treatment, including individual, family and group counselling.
The service is available to children, youth, adults and older adults and is free to Alberta residents covered by provincial health care.
AHS also offers walk-in counselling in Slave Lake, providing single-session counselling, screening and referrals for concerns including stress, grief, relationships, depression and anxiety.
FCSS also provides preventive supports and resources for individuals, families and the wider community as part of the Town of Slave Lake’s social-support programming.
The Men’s Mental Health Forum takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northern Lakes College gym.
Registration is available through Community Futures Slave Lake Region.
William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader