Stronger Together: Supporting Families Through Change and Challenge

Oct 30, 2025

Imagine walking into a room where every person present whether a lawyer, mental health professional, financial expert is united by one goal: helping families navigate difficult times with respect, understanding, and hope. That’s the spirit of the Canadian Collaborative Rocky Mountain Conference (CCRMC), taking place November 6–9 at the Fairmont Banff Springs.

For families experiencing separation or conflict, the path forward can feel overwhelming and isolating. But collaborative approaches show us a different way: one where professionals work together as a team, combining their expertise to support families in practical and compassionate ways. Over four days, attendees explore trauma-informed care, family systems, justice reform, and the ways interdisciplinary collaboration can transform lives.

At CMHA Calgary, we see firsthand how peer support can make a world of difference. Sometimes, the most powerful guidance comes not just from professionals, but from people who have walked a similar path—who understand the fear, the uncertainty, and the small victories along the way. Peer support helps families feel seen, heard, and less alone, offering a bridge between professional guidance and lived experience.

“Hosting this event in Banff is a chance to showcase Canadian leadership in family justice innovation while providing professionals with practical strategies they can immediately apply in their work. Our goal is to create pathways that allow families to move forward with respect, resilience, and hope,” said the CCRMC Steering Committee, represented by Linda Long, Holly Brady, and Beryl McNeill.

Events like CCRMC remind us that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when professionals collaborate, when families are supported, and when lived experience is valued and shared. Peer support and collaborative practice go hand-in-hand, helping families not just survive difficult transitions, but find resilience, understanding, and hope for the future. If you or someone you know would like support from a peer with lived experience, CMHA Calgary Peer Support Services are here to help. Book an appointment today at CMHA Calgary Peer Support.

“Want to learn more or register? Canadian Collaborative Rocky Mountain Conference