Finding a Reason to Smile: Casey Szmata’s Journey from Grief to Advocacy

Finding a Reason to Smile: Casey Szmata’s Journey from Grief to Advocacy

Finding a Reason to Smile: Casey Szmata's Journey from Grief to Advocacy

Suicide is a difficult topic, but it’s one we can’t afford to shy away from. By starting these conversations, we aim to break the silence, provide support, and share resources that can save lives.

Hi, I’m your host, Cara Jones, and this is the Starting Conversations podcast. Whether you’re directly affected or simply want to be part of the solution, the Starting Conversations podcast is here to inform, inspire, and empower.

In today’s episode, Casey Szmata shares her story of experiencing debilitating grief after the tragic loss of her daughter by suicide and how, through her grief, she embraced the mission to bring support and resources to the North by opening a Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention in Grimshaw, Alberta.

Casey reflects on the challenges she faced, the community’s support, and the impactful initiatives launched in the past year. From youth programs to support groups for men and women, Casey’s dedication shines through as she continues to fight against suicide and promote life.

Cara: Casey, can you tell me a little bit about how the location in Grimshaw came to be and what inspired you to make this location accessible to everybody in the North?

Casey: Yes. For sure. I guess my story goes a few years back to 2012. Prior to 2012, I really didn’t know much about suicide. I hadn’t heard a lot about it. I had no idea that the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention existed, until the tragedy happened in my family.

On December 22nd of, 2012, my daughter Morgan died by suicide. It was totally unexpected. There were no signs. There was no signal that she was having issues. She was happy. She was looking forward to the future.

She was in college. There were no indicators that pointed to her struggling. So, after she passed away, my life kind of was on hold. It’s a very difficult thing to lose your child and to find her the way I did. I guess I had given up on life. I spent some time in the hospital on suicide watch myself.

I just lost the will to live. And through it all, I had family and friends that bent over backwards to pick me up and keep me alive, basically. There are many stories I could tell that had me on my knees, but they’re in the past, and I’m grateful to be here. Throughout that journey, I came to realize quite quickly that the North didn’t have a lot of resources for bereaved parents who had lost a child to suicide.

There were bereavement groups, but suicide bereavement is just a little bit different. Different trauma, different pain. So, I attended a bereavement group here in Grand Prairie with the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention, and I was living in Grimshaw at that time. It was a two-hour drive in the winter months. So, I missed a few because of the weather, and it was hard to get that camaraderie with the other participants. Yet I knew that the material was so important and that I needed it. At that time, it really dawned on me that the resources were lacking in our area. So my family and I got together, and we decided we’d start a foundation in honour of Morgan, and it’s funny, she had a tattoo on her foot that said, “Always Find a Reason To Smile, so that’s the name we used for our foundation for her.

It started off very small. We did some barbecues and a few fundraisers here and there, and people were very supportive. We’re from the area, so people wanted to support our initiative. And in memory of Morgan, they tried to step up. So, it was really great to see the community become involved.

Soon Always Find a Reason To Smile began to grow, and I began visiting schools and talking to kids about suicide. We started making presentations, and as I said, it just grew and grew to the point that we were stuck on what to do next, right? I knew we needed a center in the North, but I didn’t know how to go about it.

One day, I ran into the Executive Director at a meeting in Fairview after our town had suffered a few suicides. And I got to thinking maybe we could extend the office from Grande Prairie into the North region. So I made an appointment, and I met with the executive director and he loved the idea.

Instead of reinventing the wheel for Always Find a Reason To Smile, the best way would be to operate in an organization that has all of the procedures and policies in place. We went to the board of the RCSP here in Grande Prairie, and it was approved; then we started looking for a location in the North, and we chose Grimshaw because it’s central to all of the areas up there.

It’s a vast area. So, somewhere central just made sense. We approached the town of Grimshaw, and they were on board. They know the need. They know the importance of suicide prevention. So we made a deal with them on a building in Grimshaw, and we got to work with volunteers. We painted and renovated it, and it opened in June of 2023.

 

Cara: You’ve done a lot since opening in a year. And I’m interested to hear a little bit about what you have noticed when it comes to running prevention initiatives. What kind of feedback have you gotten, and have you seen more people smiling in regard to the support they’re getting?

Casey: So it’s been a really busy year. When I think it’s only been a year, it’s like, oh my gosh, all the things that we’ve done.

First off, I have a great group of volunteers that I need to thank because what I do couldn’t have been done without all of them and their support. So I’m very grateful for that. I’ve tried to do a wide range of programs just to satisfy so many different areas for youth, seniors, men and stay-at-home moms.

It’s difficult, but it’s so rewarding when you finish a group or a program and you can see a change in people. What’s impressed me the most is the amount of men who are stepping forward saying, I need help, and that warms my heart because I know it’s such a difficult thing for them to do.

I find gratitude in working with the kids, going into the schools, and talking about bullying and the language that they use with each other. That always gets me right in the heart. There are a lot of children suffering these days from being bullied, being called names, and being told horrible things, and it just isn’t a matter of taking the kids, sitting them down and teaching them that this is what’s happening.

Our lady’s group is another thing I’m really proud of. At any given week, we have about 20 to 25 ladies who come in for a monthly luncheon. And at that luncheon, we discuss ways that we could reach out to our community and help people who are suffering.

One big event that we did in April. We set up a town-wide food drive for our local food bank.

The numbers that they’re catering to are just outrageous. So we know that the numbers at the food bank are going up constantly, and, of course, that’s one of the things that people struggle with when they can’t feed the family. Right? So, that leads to depression, which can lead to mental illness. So we thought that’s one way that we can band together and perhaps help somebody out of that. The community once again stood on their head for us. We had so much food. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that much food, but it was awesome. And the food bank was very happy. And I know that a lot of mouths got fed, and I’m sure a lot of peace of mind went through our communities. So, really, prevention looks like a lot of things.

Cara: It’s a really complex socio-economic situation. If you look at the social determinants of health, right? And the things that you were just talking about are complex. Everyone has different needs and different experiences. And you’ve seen this happen this year with everyone coming forward. What’s something you’d like to see happen in the future with the Centre just reflecting on what you’ve seen this year?

Casey: Honestly, I would just like to continue to have people joining us, continue to help and have them join our fight against suicide. It’s not just suicide prevention, it’s life promotion.

Thank you for tuning into Starting Conversations. If you or someone you love is struggling with Mental Health in Alberta, you can find resources on our website startingconversations.ca. Together, we can shift the narrative around Mental Health and end the stigma, one conversation at a time. 

Inclusion Statement

At RCSP, we believe that meaningful dialogue thrives in spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our commitment to inclusion means amplifying all voices, sharing stories from all walks of life, and creating content that is accessible to everyone. Each episode of our podcast, Starting Conversations, will include a blog with transcriptions of our conversations to ensure that the content is accessible to a diverse audience, including neurodiverse individuals and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Honouring Hanna: A Journey Through Grief & Giving

Honouring Hanna: A Journey Through Grief & Giving

The loss of a loved one is never easy. And when that loss comes under such heartbreaking circumstances, the journey through grief can feel especially heavy. But in this sorrow, many people find solace in creating something lasting. A testament to the love and memories shared.

Hi, I’m your host, Cara Jones, and this is the Starting Conversations Podcast, an initiative of the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention, where we explore personal stories, expert insights and practical advice to break the silence and stigma.

Recently, I met with Ali Thibert from the Northwestern Alberta Foundation here in Grand Prairie, who shared some information on how their organization assists people who want to start a memorial foundation.

Cara: Can you tell me a little bit about NAF and what it stands for?

Ali Thibert: NAF stands for Northwestern Alberta Foundation. We cover all of Northwestern Alberta, support non-profit and charity organizations, and help match donors to the causes they care about. So, they create funds with us, and we put them into an endowment account, which gets invested. And a portion of that investment income is what gets grants out within the community.

When Andre and Tammy Oulette were faced with the devastating loss of their daughter Hannah, they wanted to create something to honour their daughter’s life while giving back to organizations like the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. We are so grateful to Andre and Tammy for sitting down with us and sharing their journey around setting up the Hannah Oulette Memorial Foundation through NAF.

Andre Oulette: Eleven years ago, we set up the Hannah Oulette Memorial Foundation through Community Foundation. We thought it was a great way for us to donate money through the Community Foundation, which goes to RCSP. The funds never run out, so the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention will always receive a portion of those funds. We thought it was a good fit for our family and the community.

Tammy Oulette: Donations were happening, with things like a fundraiser around these bracelets. There had been a couple of weddings, and people wanted to make a donation in Hannah’s name instead of doing an open bar. We didn’t want it to be a one-time donation to the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. We thought the Community Foundation and setting up a memorial fund was a better way to use those resources long-term.

Cara: When it comes to youth, prevention is a huge thing, and this fund absolutely helps assist youth programming. What would you like to see for mental health awareness prevention in the future when it comes to safe spaces for youth?

Tammy Oulette: I think just that. I think you hit saying “safe” because often times it’s not safe at home, it’s not safe at school. It’s definitely not safe online. So just looking at, you know, what is safe for kids and whether it’s bullying or gender identity troubles at home, that sort of thing. I think that having resources where kids can reach out is extremely important.

Cara: Since starting the memorial fund. Have you seen changes in society when it comes to talking about mental health and wellness? Have you seen things change, or would you like to see more change?

Andre Oulette: There’s always opportunity for more change, but I think when Hannah died by suicide, I think the perception around suicide has changed quite a bit, and I think people are more willing to talk about it. Youth let people know that they are struggling and there is a place for them to go if they need help.

Tammy Oulette: I think that there has been change, but yeah, there still needs to be the resources available. I think people are more willing to talk about it, but I also think that there’s still a lot of taboo and stigma there. I just know for us that is why, even in the obituary, it was clear that she died by suicide. Where a lot of people might shy away from the language and the facts, we try to be very open about that.

 If you or someone you love is struggling with Mental Health in Alberta, you can find resources on our website startingconversations.ca. Together, we can shift the narrative around Mental Health and end the stigma, one conversation at a time. 

Inclusion Statement

At RCSP, we believe that meaningful dialogue thrives in spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our commitment to inclusion means amplifying all voices, sharing stories from all walks of life, and creating content that is accessible to everyone. Each episode of our podcast, Starting Conversations, will include a blog with transcriptions of our conversations to ensure that the content is accessible to a diverse audience, including neurodiverse individuals and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

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

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

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

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

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.

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

www.startingconversations.ca

Grimshaw Office Open House a Success

Grimshaw Office Open House a Success

Resource Centre Opens New Location In Grimshaw

On June 22nd, our Grimshaw office officially opened its doors to the public, hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Alberta’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Dan Williams. The town of Grimshaw’s Mayor, Wendy Wald, gave a very heartfelt introduction and display of community support and engagement as she joined us for the day’s discussions.

Together, community and surrounding area members heard about our different programs and gave feedback on where we can fit in to help with Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for men, youth, and the community at large.

The coffee and snacks donated by Tim Hortons, Gord Mackinnon, helped fuel the conversation and community engagement, making for an amazing day filled with regional stakeholders and public support. Thank you to everyone for your attendance and for making an amazing day for all of us!