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Developed by clinical counsellors and wilderness professionals, Mental Health Wilderness First Aid is an interactive, evidence-based program that provides students with a toolkit of basic mental health support skills, especially for those in small communities, schools, or rural and remote areas. Depending on the course, topics include anxiety, panic, depression, grief, trauma, psychosis, self-injury, and suicidal ideation.
Open courses are being offered both online and in-person, for anyone to join. Custom courses for organizations are also available. Community members, wilderness guides, teachers, parents, and others who live, work, or play in small communities or remote areas will benefit from MHWFA skills. |
Download the MHWFA course outline.
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Outside magazine - article on us!
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Daye and the MHWFA program have been featured in the November 2020 issue of Outside Magazine! The article illustrates the importance of preparing for psychological incidents in wilderness areas, and notes that we are now offering MHWFA classes online (next cohort starts January 6th).
Read the article here. |
We've written a book
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Mental Health Wilderness First Aid is undergoing a major program expansion - and we've written a book! The MHWFA manual includes an orientation to mental health for teachers and backcountry travellers, as well as field assessment and treatment for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, grief, trauma, psychosis, self-injury, suicidal ideation and other conditions.
Updated version 1.6 now available!
Course Manual
Please read carefully and select delivery option below. All shipping options will include a tracking number. Ordering in bulk? Contact us to inquire about custom shipping charges. Option 1: NO SHIPPING; pick up only Pick up your manual in-person from our locations in Courtenay, B.C., or Maple Ridge, B.C., OR from an in-person class $35 Option 2: Ship your manual to a Canadian address ($35 + $14 shipping) $49 Option 3: Ship your manual to a US or International address ($35 + $24 shipping) $59 |
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Donetta Faye Cooper Hagel, who goes by Daye, holds a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, a second Master's in Anthropology, and a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Religious Studies. A certified Level Three Guide with the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of B.C., Daye has 17 years of experience facilitating wilderness programs with children, youth, and adults. She served as the Executive Director of the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of B.C. from 2015-2020 and founded Mental Health Wilderness First Aid in 2018.
Daye is a full-time Clinical Counsellor with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in Courtenay, B.C., Canada, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has seven years of experience in the "helping field", including with mental health crisis lines, as a senior facilitator with Restorative Justice Victoria, and a clinical internship at Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Victoria (MCFD). Specific clinical orientations and training include:
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Co-facilitator: Sarah Hagar, R.C.C.
Sarah is a mother, certified teacher with the BC Ministry of Education and Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Originally from Ontario, Sarah came West Coast in the early 2000's as a tree planter and later became a teacher where she was honoured to work and live on the Traditional Territories of the Tsilhqot'in and Ahousaht First Nations. After moving to Ucluelet in 2011 and working as a Youth and Education Worker for the Yuułuʔiłʔath First Nation, Sarah decided to pursue a Master's of Education in School Based Counselling and has been working in the field since. Sarah has worked for the Nuu Chah Nulth Tribal Council as a Child and Youth Mental Health Counsellor, for SD70 as a an Elementary Secondary School Counsellor, and currently works under contract for the Coastal Family Resource Coalition and Vancouver Island Children's Health Foundation coordinating a project aimed at supporting school staff, parents and caregivers to improved mental health outcomes for children through understanding attachment and neuroscience best practices for developing brains.
Sarah believes that nature is the best therapist and has training in eco therapy, Wilderness Rites of Passage, Holistic Expressive Play Therapy, Focusing Oriented Psychotherapy, suicide intervention, working with those who have harmed others and been harmed through sexual abuse and assault, and is currently working towards certification in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. She is passionate about meeting people where they are at and providing trauma informed care.
When not working, Sarah enjoys gardening, making art, yoga, surfing, swimming, hiking and simply being in nature with her three wonderful children and supportive spouse.
Sarah believes that nature is the best therapist and has training in eco therapy, Wilderness Rites of Passage, Holistic Expressive Play Therapy, Focusing Oriented Psychotherapy, suicide intervention, working with those who have harmed others and been harmed through sexual abuse and assault, and is currently working towards certification in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. She is passionate about meeting people where they are at and providing trauma informed care.
When not working, Sarah enjoys gardening, making art, yoga, surfing, swimming, hiking and simply being in nature with her three wonderful children and supportive spouse.
Co-Facilitator: Kevin Hawker
Kevin Hawker is a mental health counsellor with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council out of Tofino, BC. While originally from Barrie, Ontario, Kevin has called Vancouver Island home for the last 4 years. He holds a degree in criminology and is currently studying for a master's degree in social work. As a former tree-planter and wildland fire fighter, he sees the value to understanding mental health in a wilderness setting. When not working in communities on the west coast, Kevin enjoys surfing, climbing and backcountry snowboarding. "Everyone has different strategies to their own wellness. I hope to help people find out what that may be!"
Co-facilitator: Kennedy Lewis, C.C.C.
- I currently do trauma work with individuals, couples and groups through private practice and virtually with an agency in Victoria.
- I also run a business called Extraordinary Workers, which focuses on group counselling and workshops for support/frontline workers in BC.
- Prior to becoming a counsellor, I was a support worker myself - working directly with populations that experience homelessness and significant substance use.
- I'm excited to be here!
- I also run a business called Extraordinary Workers, which focuses on group counselling and workshops for support/frontline workers in BC.
- Prior to becoming a counsellor, I was a support worker myself - working directly with populations that experience homelessness and significant substance use.
- I'm excited to be here!
Co-facilitator: Allie Nassichuk
Allie Nassichuk has over 10 years of experience working as an outdoor guide and educator and is currently the Chief Instructor at Strathcona Park Lodge's Outdoor Education Centre. Her background includes work with a whole range of populations including at-risk youth at the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre's residential Hope House program, people with special abilities at Power To Be, and seniors with dementia. With a degree in therapeutic recreation, specializing in child and youth mental health, her trainings include Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, core addictions practice, trauma informed practice, and PHSA's San'yas Indigenous cultural safety training.
In her free time Allie enjoys hiking, surfing, travelling somewhere warm in the winter, crafting, and playing music. Her go to resource that helps maintain her own mental health is trail running with her dog.
In her free time Allie enjoys hiking, surfing, travelling somewhere warm in the winter, crafting, and playing music. Her go to resource that helps maintain her own mental health is trail running with her dog.
Co-facilitator: David prothero
Dave Prothero has been involved in the guiding world for 24 years and has been transferring those skills to the education environment over the last ten years. He has worked with adults at the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training program instructing whitewater kayaking, teaching students at school district 69, as well as instructing North Island College's adventure studies program.
Dave also works in the healthcare field as a health care assistant, and, more recently, as a educator for injury prevention and deescalation training with hospital staff. Dave does some volunteer work with a community Healthcare initiative as a "Care-a-Van" driver. In his down time he enjoys whitewater kayaking, mountain biking and a recently discovered activity of bikepacking.
Dave also works in the healthcare field as a health care assistant, and, more recently, as a educator for injury prevention and deescalation training with hospital staff. Dave does some volunteer work with a community Healthcare initiative as a "Care-a-Van" driver. In his down time he enjoys whitewater kayaking, mountain biking and a recently discovered activity of bikepacking.
Co-facilitator: Tara souch, m.c., C.C.C., r.c.c.
Tara is a skilled counselling therapist and is passionate about connecting people with nature as a venue for healing. Her therapeutic practice weaves together narrative therapy, systems theory, ecopsychology and contemporary rites of passage. Tara has worked in clinical, wilderness and treatment program settings.
Her early career began in management roles, including Camp Director with Scouts Canada. After gaining skills in outreach-work for young adults with Whistler Community Services Society and facilitating employee support services for Whistler Blackcomb; Tara decided to pursue psychotherapy in 2009. Tara holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.
Her master’s degree is complimented by her Wilderness Leadership certification from Capilano University, providing her with a solid foundation in wilderness-based therapy. She has trained with the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy. She has also trained in contemporary Rites of Passage work with The School of Lost Borders, both as a participant and assistant guide.
Tara has worked as the clinical coordinator for a wilderness-based program serving teens and their families as well as a psychotherapist for adolescent males at a therapeutic boarding school. She has also worked as a relief-care foster parent. Currently, she is the sole proprietor of a private counselling practice on Vancouver Island. She regularly works as a contractor with non-profit organizations including community services, Indigenous communities and bereavement support. She also works as an instructor for Outward Bound Canada, specializing in the Women of Courage programs.
Tara believes that outdoor pursuits provide opportunities to build one’s self-efficacy while fostering a sense of community. She believes that spending time in nature provides a mirror for personal healing and that the more time we spend in nature, the more we will strive to protect our natural world.
Her early career began in management roles, including Camp Director with Scouts Canada. After gaining skills in outreach-work for young adults with Whistler Community Services Society and facilitating employee support services for Whistler Blackcomb; Tara decided to pursue psychotherapy in 2009. Tara holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.
Her master’s degree is complimented by her Wilderness Leadership certification from Capilano University, providing her with a solid foundation in wilderness-based therapy. She has trained with the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy. She has also trained in contemporary Rites of Passage work with The School of Lost Borders, both as a participant and assistant guide.
Tara has worked as the clinical coordinator for a wilderness-based program serving teens and their families as well as a psychotherapist for adolescent males at a therapeutic boarding school. She has also worked as a relief-care foster parent. Currently, she is the sole proprietor of a private counselling practice on Vancouver Island. She regularly works as a contractor with non-profit organizations including community services, Indigenous communities and bereavement support. She also works as an instructor for Outward Bound Canada, specializing in the Women of Courage programs.
Tara believes that outdoor pursuits provide opportunities to build one’s self-efficacy while fostering a sense of community. She believes that spending time in nature provides a mirror for personal healing and that the more time we spend in nature, the more we will strive to protect our natural world.
Administration: Rachel Stevens, RHN
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Rachel is a mother to five young children. The majority of her time is committed to homeschooling, a great passion of hers. With a background in nutrition, she enjoys creating healthy meals to feed her growing brood.
Camping, reading, painting and board games keep Rachel occupied in her spare (ha!) time. |
Social Media Marketing: Sean J Stevens
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Sean is husband to one, father to 5. He has over 15 years experience in marketing and networking on Social Media, which all started with multiple band and solo artist accounts on Myspace in 2003. Sean is also the creator and host of the Harkening Deer podcast, a podcast of Christ-leaning guided-meditation.
Sean is passionate about family, meditation, and music. He is also a Red Seal certified Electrician & has a Certificate in Religious Studies. |