Mental Wellness Gala to Raise Awareness, Support for Alberta's Rural Communities

The Porch Light Mental Wellness Society is hosting a gala to raise awareness and funds for mental health support within Alberta's rural farming communities. The Night Out in November: The 1st Annual Porch Light Mental Wellness Society Gala will be an evening of dance, entertainment, a live auction, and education. Proceeds from the night will go to AgKnow, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network. AgKnow director Linda Hunt said the gala promises to be a great night. "It'll be cowboy black tie, so not totally formal," she chuckled. "There will be dancing, a great live auction, and a keynote address from Brett Gardiner, the award-winning rodeo announcer and mental health advocate." The money raised at the gala will be used, in part, for an important AgKnow initiative. "We have a farming-formed mental health therapist network that we've been working on," said Hunt. "We have identified mental health counsellors who live in rural areas, or lived experience with farming or extensive experience working or counselling farmers." For the full feature go to ruralrootscanada.com.