Rural Mental Health Receives Fifth Year 

of Grant Funds

The Rural Mental Health Project is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Centre for Suicide Prevention and rural communities throughout Alberta. The goal of the RMHP is to strengthen the mental well-being of rural communities across Alberta through grant funding opportunities identified by local action teams. 

The Town of Hinton and the Hinton Rural Mental Health (RMH) Action Team are excited to announce the recent grant funding approval totaling $20,980. This is the fifth year of grant funds for the RMH Action Team to carry out mental health initiatives in the community, including this year’s initiative called “Revitalizing Neighbour Connections Through Giving Project.”  

The approved grant funding has allowed the Action Team to distribute free “Neighbourhood Connection Kits”. This project focuses on the importance of fostering connections and reducing loneliness by encouraging neighbours to interact and build relationships. Stronger neighbourhood ties enhance a sense of belonging, improve personal safety, provide mental and emotional support, and help people thrive. 

Starting July 23, 2025, interested participants can get involved by picking up a Neighbourhood Connection Kit and purchasing items to gift a neighbour with the FREE #HintonFirst Bucks included in the kit. 

Neighbourhood Connection Kits will include: 

• A guide to creating neighbour connections
• $30 in #HintonFirst Bucks, which can be used locally to purchase wellness items that participants can then assemble to gift to a neighbour
• Resources and information on mental health

Neighbourhood Connection Kits can be picked up at the following locations: 

• Hinton Family & Community Support Services
• Hinton BRIDGES Society for Mental Wellness
• Hinton Friendship Centre
• Hinton Employment and Learning Place
• Hinton Municipal Library

Feeling connected is essential to community wellbeing, yet people are spending less time building face-to-face relationships, especially with diverse populations. In Hinton, shift work, long hours, and out-of-town jobs can make it challenging to connect with neighbours. Additionally, our community has grown more diverse, with over 200 foreign workers arriving through the Rural Renewal Stream and many displaced Jasper residents relocating to Hinton after last year’s wildfires. It is paramount that we welcome our new neighbours through connection. 

Program Poster:

2025 Registration Fair in Review

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION 

Information and referral support for families experiencing domestic violence. 

In support of Family Violence Prevention month in November, we take part with other non-profits in raising awareness as well as lead Regional Domestic Violence Interagency Group. 

Family Violence Prevention Month started in 1986 as a local initiative right here in Hinton, Alberta where concerned residents launched a family violence education and prevention campaign. This year marks the 39th anniversary of Family Violence Prevention Month. You can see what The Hinton Society for the Prevention of Family Violence did 39 years ago.
 
This grassroots effort inspired the Alberta Legislature to support family violence prevention as an ongoing provincial initiative, resulting in the creation of Family Violence Prevention Month. Today, hundreds of Alberta communities and thousands of individuals are actively involved in preventing family violence by providing public education and services.
 
The Town of Hinton recognizes the importance of partnering with community agencies to continue the work that began in Hinton 39 years ago. The West Yellowhead Regional Family Violence & Sexual Assault Network developed the “Supporting Individuals Experiencing Family Violence in our Community” toolkit that can be accessed by anyone experiencing family violence or looking for information on how to best support someone in a family violence situation. Hinton-Family-Violence-Community-Toolkit

Alberta has the third-highest domestic violence rate in all of Canada, and the rate of police-reported intimate partner violence against women in urban areas of Alberta is 535 incidents per 100,000 population. This is higher than the national average of 461 incidents per 100,000 population (Statistics Canada, 2022).

In Alberta 74% report that they personally know at least one woman who has been sexually or physically assaulted. This figure does not factor in the countless women who do not tell anyone about the assault(s) nor does it factor in any other type of abuse besides physical and sexualized violence. (Canadian Women’s Foundation “Angus Reid Omnibus Survey”, 2012).

Purple is the colour that symbolizes the movement to end all forms of family violence. In recognition of Family Violence Prevention Month, the West Fraser Guild as well as the Green Square Visitor Information Centre will shine bright in purple for the month of November. Everyone is encouraged to wear all things purple on Friday, November 14, as a symbol of peace, courage, survival honour and personal dedication to family violence awareness. View the months events on the Town of Hinton Events Calendar. 

Everyone needs to be part of the solution to stop family violence. Take action. Learn about Family Violence. Be a positive Role Model. Speak about Family Violence. Offer time and resources. 

You can find out more information about family violence by accessing and sharing resources available from the Government of Alberta at https://www.alberta.ca/family-violence-prevention-month.aspx

Family Violence affects people of all age demographics, from children to older adults. If you, or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call 911 if there is immediate danger. 

The Family Violence Helpline if accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 310-1818 from anywhere in Alberta, or you can reach out to any of the partnering agencies listed in the Hinton Family Violence community toolkit.