Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health Webinar: Grief We Carry and Roles We Inherit: Mental Wellness in Rural Families

Maintaining mental resiliency in rural spaces amid loss is challenging.  On Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, from 12 - 1 PM via ZOOM, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health introduces the complicated relationship between grief and mental wellness among rural families.

The keynote speaker is Lauren Van Ewyk, a co-founder of the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance, registered social worker, and PhD student at the University of Guelph. Joining her are Diane Bergsma, co-founder of the Three Oaks Respite Cabin, and Ben Tobias-Murray, Farmland Access and Agricultural Planning Coordinator at Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT).

This session explores complicated grief as it shows up in rural life, where loss often affects not only families but also farms, businesses, and community roles. Lauren will talk about generational loss, including the loss of people, land, health, and identity, and how these experiences are carried forward within rural families. The discussion will also examine how abrupt change can reshape roles and responsibilities and what that means for mental wellness over time.

There are many ways people have supported those who have experienced loss. Diane will introduce the Three Oaks Respite Cabin, a quiet place where farmers and first responders can receive support. Ben will share on the Ontario Farmland’s Trust activities to aid in farm succession planning and preserve Ontario’s rich agriculture.

Anyone in the community is welcome to attend. To attend this event and future presentations, please register on the Gateway CERH website here.

For more information, contact: Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health at info@gatewayruralhealth.ca  or 519-612-1053.

About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health 

Founded in 2008, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education, and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at www.gatewayruralhealth.ca