The Town of Hinton and the Hinton Rural Mental Health Action Team are providing the following accessible courses and events in 2026. They help our community by:

• Giving people real skills to support others
• Creating safe, caring places for everyone
• Helping people learn where to find help early
• Reducing mental health stigma
• Building confidence, resilience, and wellness
• Supporting people when professional help is not available

Up-coming courses and events

Thurs. August 27, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Psychosomatic Bioenergetics & Jin Shin
Course Fee: FREE
Registration: Not required. All are welcome to attend.
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Instruction by Cherise Front
We'll cover the importance of grounding, share easy self-help holds from the Art of Jin Shin, and touch on how Sensamed Psychosomatic Bioenergetic can support deeper emotional release and well-being.
Contact FCSS for more info: 780-865-6036
Click here for course description

****Register online for all courses below via the registration form on this page. Registration opens August 24.

Mon. Sept 21, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Mental Health First Aid
Course Fee: $250+GST per person.
Registration: Online by clicking participate now. Contact FCSS for payment at 780-865-6036.
Location: Hinton Friendship Centre, 965 Switzer Drive., Hinton
Instruction by Trevor Haas (Balance Mental Health Services)
This is a full day course that helps participants build confidence, reduce stigma, and enhance their own mental health.
Age 16+
Click here for the full course description.

Sat. Sept. 26, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Psychological First Aid
Course Fee: FREE
Registration: Online by clicking participate now
Location: BRIDGES, 250 Hardisty Ave., Hinton
Instruction by Hinton Employment & Learning Place
This is a full day course that teaches participants how to care for themselves and others during times of stress and trauma. Ages 18+
Click here for the full course description.

Sat Oct. 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Babysitter Course
Course Fee: FREE
Registration: Online
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Registration: Online by clicking participate now
Instruction by Family & Community Support Services
This 7-8 hour certificate program teaches young people how to care for children and infants while keeping them safe and happy. Ages 12+
Click here for the full course description.

Thurs. Oct. 15, 4 - 7 pm.: Home Alone
Course Fee: FREE
Registration: Online by clicking participate now
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Instruction by Family & Community Support Services
This is a 3-hour safety training program designed to prepare children to be unsupervised for short periods. Ages 9+
Click here for the full course description.

Sat. Oct. 17, 12 - 4 p.m.: safeTalk
Course Fee: FREE
Registration: Online by clicking participate now
Location: Hinton Friendship Centre, 965 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Instruction by Hinton Employment & Learning Place
safeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone) is a half-day in-person training program that helps participants recognize when someone may be having thoughts of suicide and connect them with life-saving resource. Ages 18+
Click here for the full course description.

Your emotional safety is important

Learning about mental health can feel personal. The courses are designed to be a safe, supportive space. Participants can expect:

• Confidentiality
• A welcoming, judgment free environment
• No pressure to share personal stories or experiences
• A heads up if any sensitive topics will be discussed

How this helps our community

By strengthening natural supports—such as family members, friends, neighbours, mentors, and community groups—these informal, non-paid helpers will foster belonging, resilience, and purpose within the community. This will increase systemic and long-term reduction in mental health stigma.

Funding partners

Thanks to $15,000 in funding from the following organizations, most courses are free for participants.

• The Canadian Mental Health Association
• The Centre for Suicide Prevention
• Rural communities like Hinton, across Alberta.

By removing cost barriers, these life- saving skills are accessible to everyone, especially vulnerable populations.

This project also supports Hinton Offers Wellness, a local mental health and wellness hub. Use this online hub to:

• Find resources quickly
• Share information
• Guide others to the right support.

Previous events

Fri. April 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: The Holistic Connection- Emotion Code Practitioner
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Instruction by Ginette Martin
Learn about the Emotion Code energy work and emotional intelligence, then experience a brief group release- creating space to let go, reconnect, and renew.

Sat. May 2, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Mental Health First Aid Essentials FULL
Location: BRIDGES, 250 Hardisty Ave., Hinton
Instruction by Balance Mental Health Services
This is a comprehensive one-day training program that provides the knowledge and skills for participants to recognize changes in mental health, respond supportively, and apply practical actions. Ages 16+
Click here for the full course description.

Thurs. May 21, 1 - 2 p.m.: Stronger Together, A Hinton Docuseries
Location: Hinton Municipal Library, 803 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Attend a special screening of a six-video series highlighting how Hinton’s local partners work together—so no one has to face mental health challenges alone.
Free. All welcome. More info: FCSS 780-865-6036

Sat. May 23, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.: Home Alone FULL
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Instruction by Family & Community Support Services
This is a 3-hour safety training program designed to prepare children to be unsupervised for short periods. Ages 9+
Click here for the full course description.

Fri. May 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: The Holistic Connection- Community Herbalist
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Dr. Hinton
Instruction by Miranda Wulf
Join us to learn easy herbal techniques for every day self-care and stress reduction. Accessible strategies to balance, care for and calm the nervous system for the whole family.
Click here to see May's monthly Spotlight.

Mon. June 1 to Fri. June 5, 4 - 6 p.m.: Babysitter Course FULL
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Dr., Hinton
Instruction by Family & Community Support Services
This 7-8 hour certificate program teaches young people how to care for children and infants while keeping them safe and happy. Ages 12+
Click here for the course description.

Sun. June 21, 3 - 5 p.m.: Peruvian Shamanic Healing
Location: Willow and Waves Studio – 107 Government Rd., Hinton
Instruction by Raileigh Kowalchuck
Through ritual, breathwork, and guided journeying, you’ll learn how your inner world shapes your experience — and how small shifts can help restore balance and calm.
Free. No registration required

Thurs. July 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: The Holistic Connection- Color Energy
Location: FCSS, 821 Switzer Drive., Hinton
Instruction by Crystal Kereliuk
Stop living in greyscale and unlock the hidden superpower of color psychology to instantly boost your mood, energy, and confidence. Join us to discover simple, daily color hacks that will transform your wardrobe, headspace, and surroundings from boring to vibrant!