Brandon University is preparing to welcome researchers, community leaders, and lived‑experience advocates for its upcoming “Mental Health on the Prairies – Conference & Conversation,” running April 29 through May 1, 2026.
Hosted by BU’s Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health, the three‑day gathering aims to spark new dialogue around the unique mental‑health challenges facing rural and Prairie communities.
The event brings together a diverse lineup of keynote speakers. Filmmaker Rebeccah Love, who lives with Bipolar I Disorder, will share insights from her creative work and her experiences navigating institutional care. Russell Purdy, Executive Director at Beccarian Correctional Care, will speak from the perspective of addiction recovery and treatment, drawing on his own lived experience.
Rounding out the keynote roster is Dr. Caroline Tait, a Métis scholar and professor at the University of Calgary, whose decades of work have helped shape national conversations around Indigenous mental health and healing.
Organizers say the conference is designed to foster collaboration across sectors, with a focus on building partnerships, strengthening capacity, and supporting growth in rural mental‑health services. Sessions will explore place‑specific solutions, community‑driven approaches, and the realities of delivering care across the Prairies.
Registration is closing soon, and attendees are encouraged to visit the Mental Health on the Prairies event page for full details.
With its mix of academic expertise, lived experience, and community engagement, the conference is expected to draw strong interest from across Manitoba and the wider Prairie region.
