At the Rural Mental Health Project, we empower passionate community members to become changemakers in their own communities.
We offer free training in facilitation skills and asset-based community development to help community members lead meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing within their community. We even compensate participants for their time during training!
There's some terms you may not know in the next few sections. Learn our lingo here!
- Free and Accessible: Training is offered at no cost, and participants are even compensated for their time.
- Self-Paced and Live Sessions: Training includes online self-directed modules and live virtual sessions to support flexible learning.
- Practical Tools and Support: Participants gain facilitation skills, mental health knowledge, and tools to lead meaningful conversations and action plans.
Once training is complete, Community Animators can access funding to support their community-driven initiatives.
Learn more about what training involves in the Training Modules breakdown below.
The RMHP training consists of 7 modules that guide participants through understanding the project, exploring their community, and taking action:
| Module | What to Expect in Training | |
|
Module 1: Understanding the Rural Mental Health Project and Network |
Online, Self-Directed |
In this first module, we begin to examine what community means, the different ways to understand mental health, and how we benefit from being part of a Network. |
| Module 2: Learning About Community | Online, Self-Directed |
In Module 2 we dive a bit deeper into the idea of community and look at what it means to be a mentally health community. |
| Module 3: Looking at Your Community in a New Way | Live via Zoom (9am - 4pm) |
In our first module, together as a group, we consider the different perspectives we can take when looking at our community or mental health, and we learn about how different aspects of our community can impact our wellbeing. |
| Module 4: Healthy Community Impact | Live via Zoom (9am - 4pm) |
The focus of Module 4 is learning how we work in community. We look at Asset Based Community Development, the importance of being strengths-based, and introduce the 5D model (Discover, Develop, Design, Deploy, Debrief). |
| Module 5: Growing Community Connections | Live via Zoom (9am - 4pm) |
After a short break, we come back together in module 5 to start to consider biases, who we include in the work we do in community, as well as practice some conflict resolution. |
| Module 6: Working Collectively | Live via Zoom (9am - 4pm) |
Module 6 focuses on collaborative leadership – why it’s important to include many voices at the table and how you can support collaboration while helping your community navigate change. |
| Module 7: Supporting Community Initiatives | Self-Directed |
We wrap up training in the best way we know how, through reflection, and how to take what you’ve learned as you start Animating in your community. |
What happens after training?
After completing Module 7:
- Certificate of Completion: Animators receive a certificate recognizing their achievement.
- Community Discovery Fund: A $2,650 fund is provided to Animators through a local organization to support their work. Learn more below!
- Eligibility for Grants: Animators can apply for additional RMHP Community Grants to fund their initiatives.
Community Animating takes time, effort, and sometimes, money. We recognize this and so provide Community Animators with a Community Discovery Fund after completing training.
The Community Discovery Fund is $2650 provided by CMHA AB to Community Animators through their local community-based organization (backbone organization).
The table below breaks down how the funding can be used, with examples.
|
How the Funding can be Used |
$ Amount Available |
Details |
| Animator Honorarium | $650 |
To thank animators for their time in training and time spent with the community. |
| Community Discovery | $2000 | To support Discovery work in your community such as: mileage for community members, cost for refreshments, room booking, etc. |
2026 Dates
Winter 2026 Training Schedule:
- January 29 – Online training launch
- February 25 & March 4 – Virtual Training: Modules 3 & 4
- March 18 & 25 – Virtual Training: Modules 5 & 6
Spring 2026 Training Schedule:
- April 28 – Online training launch
- May 27 & June 3 – Virtual Training: Modules 3 & 4
- June 17 & 24 – Virtual Training: Modules 5 & 6
Fall 2026 Training Schedule:
- September 29 – Online training launch
- October 28 & November 4 – Virtual Training: Modules 3 & 4
- November 18 & November 25 – Virtual Training: Modules 5 & 6