Mental Health Workshop for Farmers | In The Know

Early conversations for ag

Book a COMET™ ‍ Workshop

Many people can recognize when a friend, family member, neighbour, or colleague is not quite themselves. The challenge is knowing what to do next.

COMET™ (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) is an evidence-based training program that helps people recognize when someone may be struggling and provides a simple framework for starting a supportive conversation before a mental health crisis occurs.

Designed specifically for rural communities, COMET™ builds on the strengths that already exist in agriculture and rural life: looking out for one another, noticing changes, and offering support when it is needed.

COMET™ does not train participants to be counsellors or solve someone else's problems. Instead, it empowers them to be more prepared and comfortable initiating a supportive but potentially emotional conversation using a seven-question guide. It provides an easy way to start a conversation, teaches how to exit the conversation in a supportive way, and offers resources to share with others if they need more than a listening ear.

The primary learning goals of the program include:

Recognize signs that someone may be in a vulnerable space or experiencing emotional distress.
Understand the importance of early intervention and supportive conversations.
Use the COMET™ seven-question guide to have a meaningful conversation.
Listen effectively and respond with empathy and confidence.
Exit conversations in a supportive and respectful manner.
Connect individuals with resources when needed.
Contribute to a culture of care and support within rural and agricultural communities.

Length: 90 minute interactive workshop (with a break)

Format: In-person or virtual

Cost: Free for participants. There may be costs for booking a venue, food/beverages, and travel for the facilitator.

COMET™ was developed by the High Plains Research Network in partnership with rural communities and is delivered in Canada by AgWell Alberta through a partnership with AgrAbility at the University of Colorado.

How is this different from In The Know? COMET™ focuses on recognizing early signs of distress and starting supportive conversations before a crisis develops. In The Know provides broader mental health literacy and skills for recognizing and responding to mental health concerns.

To schedule a workshop, contact us at rebecca@agwellab.ca.

Meet our In The Know Facilitators

The facilitators listed below are trained to deliver In The Know workshops and have experience or background in agriculture.

Carole Preston

Art Therapist and Psychotherapist
I am a Professional Canadian Art Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist. I also supports my family farm, Heiberg Farms, in Beaver County. I am passionate about weaving the arts into the therapy space and as a tool for creating vibrant communities. In the art therapy studio, I work within an anti-oppressive client-centered framework to help clients navigate challenging feelings, thoughts and behaviors. On a community level, I use art therapy and therapeutic arts offerings to create opportunities to bring people together and to address community concerns. Within my practice, I integrate expressive modalities creating a warm, welcoming and safe therapeutic environment for all ages.
Contact Information & Availability
Phone: 587-207-5197
Email: studio@currentsarttherapy.ca
Website: https://currentsarttherapy.ca/
Online or in-person workshops avaiable.
Serving the Camrose area.
Dennis Esayenko, M.A.C, CPC

Certified Professional Counsellor
I am a Certified Professional Counsellor and member of the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACPP). I was raised in a farming community in Saskatchewan and have supported many farming individuals and families in my field of therapy.
I retired from Law enforcement with 35 years of experience as a peace officer.
I strive to ensure my clients feel understood and respected as they work toward identifying and achieving their treatment goals. My goal is to assist in managing difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors by increasing overall functioning, self-awareness, and wellbeing.
My primary focus of counselling has been in the areas of family, and marriage, divorce/separation, family violence, individual counselling, including mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, addiction, and overcoming relational challenges.
Contact Information & Availability
Phone: 403-828-2664
Email: midwesttrinitycounselling@telus.net
Website: midwesttrinitycounselling.ca
Online or in-person workshops avaiable.
Serving the Calgary/Airdrie region.
Jamie Rowswell, BSW, MSW

Registered Social Worker
I am a skilled and passionate Social Worker, who is dedicated to providing safe, connective, and ethical therapy and consulting services.
I come from a background of mixed grain and beef farming, and maintain connections to my roots in her current rural practice.
My specialty in treating trauma is sought after by many individuals and organizations after crisis or loss.
Contact Information & Availability
Email: jamie@goodlifecollective.ca
Phone: 780-806-3720
Website: www.goodlifecollective.ca
Online or in-person workshops available.
Serving Wainwright and surrounding area.

Cameron Rice, BSW, RSW

Social Worker & Mental Health Counsellor
My roots trace back to the prairie fields. My grandfather was raised on a registered Jersey dairy farm and established his own herd of prized Jerseys, eventually founding Pacific Forage. My father spent his formative years on that farm, and although I didn’t grow up there myself, the values of hard work, resilience, and community were deeply instilled in me.
Before becoming a social worker, I worked for nearly seven years as a utility arborist, trimming and removing trees across Alberta, often in close collaboration with farmers. During this time, I faced mental health challenges while living and working on the road. Seeking help changed my life, and my successes inspired many coworkers to reach out and ask how they could do the same. That experience became a turning point; I realized I wanted to be the kind of person someone like me might seek in a moment of need.
I serve rural Alberta through the Peaks to Prairies Primary Care Network. I’m especially passionate about supporting men in agriculture and trades, where mental health is too often left unspoken. My goal is to walk alongside those who keep our communities running and provide space, support, and understanding.
Contact Information & Availability
Email: Cam.Rice@Outlook.com
Online or in-person workshops available.
Serving Olds and Sundre area, and central Alberta.
Kerbi McKnight, M.Ed Counselling Psychology

Registered Psychologist & Rancher
I grew up on a ranch in east central Alberta. My husband and I returned home to transition my family's ranch. We raise our kids on the ranch and I work as a Psychologist in Stettler 3 days a week.
Contact Information & Availability
Phone: 780-652-2606
Website: www.shootingstarpsychology.com
Online or in-person workshops available.
Serving Stettler and surrounding area.
Deanna Hood, B.A.

Counselling Therapist (in progress)
I grew up in a farm family, and developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of the farming lifestyle.
I have been a research assistant with AgWellAB since 2023 and have considerable experience leading workshops. I value the resilience and strength of rural communities and am passionate about the work being done through these research projects.
I hold a BA in Psychology from the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Counselling Psychology.
Contact Information & Availability
Email: dkhood@ualberta.ca
Online or in-person workshops available.
Serving the Red Deer area.

Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, PhD

Professor & Applied Social Psychologist
I am an Applied Social Psychologist and professor at the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus. I study stressors and resilience in rural and farming communities, turning research into practical programs to support the mental health and well-being of those working in the agricultural industry. I am the provincial lead researcher of the Agricultural Wellbeing in Alberta (AgWellAB) program, and was a co-founder of AgKnow, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network. I'm also the mom of two funny kids.
Our family raised sheep and operated a horse-boarding business, and I worked as a laborer on a large turkey farm while going to school. I am also the survivor of an childhood farm accident. Between my personal background and professional work, I have a deep appreciation of the stressors in farming. I have extensive experience delivering workshops to farming communities.
Contact Information & Availability
Phone: 780-281-0158
Email: rebecca@agwellab.ca
Online or in-person workshops avaiable.
Serving all areas in Alberta.
Charlene Assenheimer, B.A.; B.Ed.; M.Ed.

Registered Psychologist
I moved to the Barrhead area 30 years ago to marry my husband and to build a family on a mixed farm. We have two grown children and two plus one kids. Two currently reside and work in Edmonton. The other two and our amazing Grandson live and work just outside of Edmonton. I love working with children and I worked in Education at Pembina Hills for 20 years.
While I was very happy as a teacher and counsellor, I knew I could do more to support our most vulnerable students. In December 2019, I received my registration as a Psychologist from the College of Alberta Psychologists. I accepted a position in January 2020 as a Psychologist with Children's Autism Services of Edmonton and have enjoyed the privilege of working with some very special kids and their families.

I am excited to continue to serve my community through my private practice. My office is located at FCSS in Barrhead. I am also travelling to serve our treasured indigenous communities. I am proud to serve the neurodiverse community, LGBTQIA2S and those living with disabilities.
Contact Information & Availability
Phone: 780-305-8227
Email: cassenhe@gmail.com
Website: https://www.charleneassenheimerpsychologicalservices.com/
Online or in-person workshops avaiable.
Serving the Barrhead area.