Our Ambassadors
We are please to share our 2026 ambassadors. These folks inspire us with their stories of mental health and addiction and help us know we are not alone. There will be opportunities to connect with ambassadors at events throughout mental health and addiction week.
Makaylah Rogers (they/he) is a Bow Valley community builder, storyteller, and Mental Health and Addiction Week ambassador who leads with honesty, courage, and lived experience. As a trauma survivor living with complex PTSD, Mak has spent over a decade navigating healing—learning that recovery isn’t about being “fixed,” but about being seen, supported, and understood.
Mak shares, “I grew up experiencing different forms of abuse, and for a long time I didn’t have the language to understand what was happening to me. What I did know was that I felt constantly on edge, disconnected from myself, and like something was deeply wrong with me.” For years, survival meant coping in whatever ways were available. “I experienced suicidal ideation from a very young age. I used alcohol to numb what I was feeling for a long time, alongside work addiction and codependency.”
Like many, Mak learned how to mask their struggles: “I learned how to hide what I was going through. I learned how to appear okay, even when I wasn’t. That followed me into adulthood… It created this disconnect where, on the outside, things could look fine… but internally, I was struggling a lot.”
A turning point came in 2016 with a diagnosis of complex PTSD—finally offering language and understanding. Healing was not instant, but it became possible. “Having someone who actually wanted to listen and to hear my story… and not be scared off by that” made a profound difference. Alongside that, “finding a therapist who specialized in childhood abuse was also a turning point,” helping Mak begin to process trauma and understand long-held coping patterns.
Mak also recognizes what was missing: “I wish I had access to more peer support earlier on… people I could talk to who were also living with CPTSD or healing from abuse.” That insight now fuels their work.
Through Frankie D’s Donuts, Mak creates spaces where those very connections can happen—places where people feel safe to speak honestly and realize they are not alone. What started as a small business has become a hub for real, human conversation and community care in the Bow Valley.
As a trans, neurodivergent, and queer person, Mak brings a vital perspective on identity, belonging, and the impact of being truly witnessed. Their journey includes surviving trauma, navigating substance use, and choosing—again and again—to stay.
Today, Mak’s approach to wellbeing is grounded in self-awareness and boundaries. Through ongoing reflection and “wellbeing indicators” in their daily life—like staying connected to their emotions, maintaining routines, and protecting their energy—Mak continues to prioritize their relationship with themself. It’s not about perfection, but about noticing when something is off and choosing to come back to balance.
Mak’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear, and that even in the mess, there is meaning, connection, and hope. By sharing their truth, Mak is helping shift the conversation around mental health in the Bow Valley—creating a community where fewer people feel they have to hide, and more people feel safe to be seen.
Avery Levesque (he/him) brings lived experience shaped by adversity, growth, and persistence. His early life included being precariously housed and childhood sexual trauma, experiences that deeply impacted his mental health. When Avery was 13 years old, his father passed away in a tragic accident—an event that compounded an already difficult time and contributed to long struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts that lasted into his early 40s.
Avery spent 17 years working as a police officer, dedicating himself to helping others. After being diagnosed with complex PTSD, he made the difficult decision to step away from his career. At that point, he recalls feeling like “I’d never be able to function in society again or have a job.” His PTSD also contributed to a brain injury.
Rather than seeing his life in chapters of endings and new beginnings, Avery views his experiences differently. The hardships he faced are not something separate from who he is—they are part of him, and part of what allows him to connect with others in a real and meaningful way.
His healing has been shaped by support, time, and self-understanding. He credits a trusted family physician and a counsellor he feels “professionally connected to” as key supports. Medication also played a role—not as a solution on its own, but as something that helped him so he could do the deeper work of processing and healing from his trauma.
Just as important was a shift in how he treated himself:
“I gave myself permission to struggle, grieve and not be okay. Once I did this, my life started getting better again and I found myself again.”
Avery is open about the fact that recovery isn’t linear. He continues to navigate the realities of PTSD and its impacts, and has learned to adjust how he lives and works. What’s changed is how he responds to those challenges:
“I manage the ups and downs with patience and grace with myself.”
Today, Avery has returned to many of the things that bring him joy. He can socialize again, spend time in nature, exercise, and work. He prioritizes therapy, honest check-ins, and self-care, and he’s learned the importance of listening to his body—recognizing how trauma shows up both mentally and physically. A big part of Avery’s advocacy comes from what he wishes he had known earlier: “Knowing that I was not alone… not only that I have support but that other people are or have navigated similar things before and that it is possible to get through them.” That understanding now drives his work as an ambassador. He wants to make it easier for others to speak openly about their mental health and to feel safe doing so.
“I want to help create an environment where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health, and where people feel safe opening up.”
He also believes in the power of everyday conversations:
“Even small conversations can make a big difference, and I want to use my voice and experience to promote empathy, encourage open dialogue, and help people feel less alone.”
As a transgender member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Avery’s voice also reflects the importance of inclusion and representation in mental health spaces. His presence helps ensure that more people see themselves in these conversations and know they belong.
When asked what he’s grateful for today, his answer is simple: “Life, my partner, and my dog.”
Through his openness and lived experience, Avery is helping shift how mental health is understood in the Bow Valley. His story reminds others that struggle and strength can exist side by side—and that no one has to go through it alone.
Hugh Benham is a Bow Valley community member, Certified Flourishing Life Coach, and mental health advocate who brings honesty, accountability, and lived experience to his role as an ambassador for Mental Health and Addiction Week. After returning to Canmore during a period of major life transition, Hugh set out to rebuild his life and reconnect with the community he cares deeply about.
His journey has included significant challenges, including leaving behind his home, a 43-year relationship with his wife, and close connections with his children and grandchildren. Upon arriving in the Bow Valley, he found himself “effectively becoming unhoused and seeking shelter with my 85-year-old mother,” while also trying to “figure out how to be single again.” At the same time, the stress of closing a family-run daycare business added to the emotional weight he was carrying.
Hugh began making intentional changes—stepping away from social media and turning to nature and reflection. “Getting out of your space and back into nature costs nothing,” he shares, highlighting the role it played in lowering stress and restoring balance. Along the way, supports like Canmore and Banff FCSS and the YWCA were instrumental, helping him feel grounded and connected during a difficult time.
Today, Hugh focuses on building community, supporting his mother, and embracing activities that bring him joy. He reflects, “I am learning to accept my role in building community and focusing on my blessings and not my shortcomings.” Through sharing his story, Hugh hopes to remind others: “You are loved, cared for, and there are gifts only you have.”
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After losing a loved one just before the pandemic, Bobbie Alsworth mental health began to shift in ways she didn’t immediately understand. “My journey with anxiety and panic attacks began in 2020,” she shares. What followed was confusing and frightening—panic attacks that were “often mistaken for asthma attacks,” and a growing fear that made
everyday life feel out of reach. Once adventurous and outdoors-loving, she found herself “too fearful to leave my home.”
Part of the struggle was not having clear answers. It took time—and more than ten counsellors—before things began to make sense. “It took a long time, and I wish I’d known sooner that it’s okay if something doesn’t work—you’re allowed to try again.”
Even without a clear diagnosis at first, Bobbie didn’t give up on finding support or understanding what she was experiencing.
Moving to the Bow Valley added another layer. “I truly believed things were going to get better—that living in the mountains would be healing for me. Instead, I found that things became a lot harder.” Watching others thrive while she struggled, losing friendships, and “constantly having to explain… why I couldn’t go on that hike or go skiing” left her feeling isolated and exhausted.
What began to shift things was connection and support. Through Access Mental Health, she was able to access counselling when private care wasn’t an option. Support from
understanding colleagues and friends helped her slowly rebuild. She also found support through community groups and programs such as Run Clubs and BanffLife.
Today, Bobbie is still navigating the ups and downs, but there is hope and growth. “I’m learning to ride the waves,” she says. Being open about her experience has helped her build “deep, meaningful friendships” and reconnect with parts of herself she thought she’d lost. She now finds grounding in simple but powerful supports—getting outside, staying active, laughing with friends, and leaning into the people (and animals) around her.
She’s especially grateful for “my partner, my family, my friends… and all of the dogs in the Bow Valley who are always ready to share their love,” small moments that bring light on harder days.
By sharing her story, Bobbie hopes others feel less alone. Panic attacks aren’t always visible, and they’re not talked about enough. Her message is simple but powerful: even when it takes time, even when the path isn’t clear, healing is possible—and you don’t have to go through it alone.
Cheryl Ello’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and learning to hold onto hope—even in the most difficult moments.
Living in the Bow Valley, Cheryl felt the pressure many experience in a place known for its beauty and activity. But behind that backdrop, she was navigating a very different reality. Diagnosed with adjustment disorder alongside severe anxiety and depression, she found that even the simplest daily tasks could feel overwhelming. “When living with depression, the ‘smallest tasks’ can be huge accomplishments,” she shares—whether that meant getting out of bed, taking a shower, or preparing a meal.
Her journey has also included periods of deep isolation and suicidal ideation, shaped by both personal challenges and the difficulty of feeling understood. At times, her experiences were minimized, which impacted her sense of self-worth. Still, Cheryl continued to advocate for herself and seek the care she needed.
Early on, she encountered a support service that wasn’t the right fit—an experience that became an important turning point. Rather than defining her journey, Cheryl now sees it as an opportunity to highlight a crucial message: mental health support is not one-size-fits-all. “If something doesn’t work, you’re allowed to try again,” she emphasizes. That persistence led her to a medical and therapeutic team, along with a strong personal support network, who helped her begin to heal and feel seen.
In a powerful act of leadership within the community, Cheryl later chose—when she felt ready—to share feedback with that service provider about her experience. By doing so, she helped create an opportunity for the organization to learn and improve, while also showing others that it’s okay to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Her actions reflect an important truth: even difficult experiences can lead to positive change, both for services and for others who may be navigating similar challenges.
Through the support she found, Cheryl has been able to reconnect with herself and her community. Returning to volunteer roles and community events has been a meaningful step forward, as has redefining what healing looks like for her. “Being unable to feel happiness isn’t a failure,” she says, “it’s a path to finding out what’s fundamentally missing and how you can honour yourself in finding your way back.”
Today, Cheryl approaches life with more compassion for herself. She focuses on setting boundaries, letting go of guilt and shame, and taking things one day at a time. “This journey isn’t linear,” she shares, choosing instead to meet each day with grace and honesty.
She also finds strength in the people—and animals—around her. With the support of her friends and loved ones, she’s been reminded of who she is at her core. “I feel grateful for the small things and everyone… who have kept me alive,” she says, a reflection of both her vulnerability and her strength.
By sharing her story, Cheryl hopes others in the Bow Valley feel less alone. Her message is clear: even when the path is unclear, even when the first support isn’t the right fit, you are deserving of care, understanding, and the chance to find what works for you—and your voice can help make that path better for others, too.
Scott Walker has been living with bipolar disorder for over 26 years, experiencing both manic and depressive episodes, including several that required hospitalization. “There were times when my mind wouldn’t shut off for days,” he shares. “Other times, I couldn’t get out of bed. I lived in both extremes.”
Some of his most difficult moments included sleepless nights in psychiatric care, periods of deep depression where even basic tasks felt impossible, and the shame tied to things said or done during manic episodes. Losing his father at a young age was also a significant turning point. “Looking back, having access to a grief counsellor or therapist would have made a big difference,” he reflects.
Living in the Bow Valley has shaped his experience as well. “There are real highs and lows living somewhere so beautiful, yet far from family, expensive, and where winters can feel endless. Seasonal depression can be very real here.”
Over time, Scott found support through a mix of approaches—mindset work, meditation, naturopathic care, and guidance from intuitive healers and life coaches—along with a few close friends. “Open-mindedness, perseverance, and resilience can lead to a better life,” he says.
One of his proudest moments came during a manic episode that led to a hospital stay, “On my first morning there, I wrote out a list of things to focus on,” he shares. “I committed to it fully.” That focus helped him be released just three and a half days later—an experience that now inspires a book he is currently working on.
Today, Scott is focused on holistic health and intentional living. He has been alcohol-free for 14 years and, with the support of his psychiatrist, medication-free for over 15 years. “I’m more empathetic and far less judgmental than I used to be,” he says. Daily self-care includes meditation, time in nature, reading, and stepping away from technology. “I keep my phone on airplane mode most of the time.”
Today, Scott feels deep gratitude for many aspects of his life. “So many things,” he shares. “The incredible friends that I am fortunate to have, my fellow men’s mastermind members, living in such a beautiful part of the world, being in a fantastic home with great roommates, having a buffer of money and investments that gives me peace of mind—and also that I’m a deep sleeper.” His perspective is grounded in appreciation for both the big and small things, a reflection of the intentional and balanced life he continues to build.
What is the purpose of the week?
The week seeks: to increase awareness about the mental health and addiction issues affecting Bow Valley residents, to increase awareness of the mental health and addiction services available to residents, to create a systems level response to the mental health and addiction challenges in our community through a collaborative and coordinated approach, and to break down the social barrier of mental health stigma through community initiatives and conversations.
What does an ambassador do?
Ambassadors share their own lived mental health experience to inform the community about the diversity of mental health and addiction illnesses, to help reduce the stigma, and to inspire recovery and hope.
Share Your Story - Ambassadors may be asked to share their stories and experience in a variety of ways, including written or video form, website and social media channels, public speaking, media interviews, or through podcasts.
Be an Advocate - Ambassadors may be asked to share their personal healthcare journey and experiences to support improvements to the local healthcare services.
Promote Mental Health and Addiction Awareness – Ambassadors may be asked to attend and support programs and activities to assist programmers, attendees and help increase awareness of mental health and addiction.
Provide Feedback and Information - Ambassadors are asked to help us obtain feedback and be a stronger influencer on important issues affecting the wellbeing of our community and its residents.
We are grateful to those community members who have volunteered to be our BVMHAW Ambassadors. Through their diverse and personal stories, they hope to help those who might also be struggling. Ambassadors help us open conversations and reduce stigma to the complex nature of the mental health and wellbeing of humans. Watch for these ambassadors at events, their stories online or in print media. They are here this week to support you.
BVMHAW Ambassadors are community members with lived experience who aim to support community members. They are not licensed professionals or crisis responders. The stories, advice or information they share is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical care.
If an Ambassador becomes concerned that someone may be at risk of harming themselves or others, they may alert a professional or appropriate support service to ensure safety.
2025 Ambassadors
Dr. Shakil Amin (he/him)
Businessman | Community Volunteer
Shakil, his wife Dr. Fauzia Sajjad and his son Kaiser, have been living in Banff since 2013. He has been actively involved in the community, currently sitting on the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital Community Board, the Police Advisory Board, and the Settlement Group. His personal experiences and knowledge in the health care system as well as being a former health care provider adds to his perspective when serving on these boards. In his free time Shakil enjoys cooking, spending time with his family and taking in the beautiful mountain views.
Makaylah Rogers (they/them)
Community Advocate | Social Impact Entrepreneur | Keynote Speaker
Makaylah is a non-binary, neurodivergent, trauma survivor who has lived in the Bow Valley since 2016. They have struggled with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation from a very young age, and was diagnosed with complex PTSD as well. They have been on their own healing path after leaving behind a history of trauma and abuse. Makaylah is passionate about breaking down stigma and fostering open, empathy-based conversations in our community to amplify the voices of those who feel unheard. Makaylah has 12 years of social-business and facilitation experience, and is a local voice for inclusivity, well-being and belonging through their businesses, Frankie D’s Donuts and Scale Naturally Consulting. Their advocacy work spans vital topics such as anxiety & depression, mental illness, suicide prevention, neurodiversity, 2SLGBTQIA+ education, sexual violence prevention and more. Additionally, their business Frankie D's Donuts is on a mission to reduce loneliness…one Donut at a time. Their made-from-scratch Donuts serve as a conduit for connection among people, emphasizing the importance of community and fostering meaningful connections.
Bobbie Alsworth (she/her)
Mental Health Advocate
Originally from the UK, Bobbie has been living in Canada since 2022. She came to the mountains hoping for a fresh start, but instead, the struggles she carried with her felt amplified. Anxiety and panic attacks became a significant challenge, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoor adventures she loved. However, through humor, connection and self-discovery, Bobbie is learning to navigate these challenges.
Now working with the Banff Canmore Foundation, Bobbie feels she has found her dream organisation—a place where she can support others and help foster a sense of belonging in the community. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, breaking down stigma, and creating spaces for open and honest conversations. Bobbie knows firsthand the importance of connection and is dedicated to helping others feel seen, heard, and supported on their own journeys.
Scott Walker (he/him)
Mental Health Advocate | Server| Entrepreneur
Scott has made the Bow Valley home since 2010. He has lived with bipolar disorder since 2000 and has survived four manic episodes, each accompanied with a psychiatric hospital stay. Scott spent over 30 years being functionally depressed and has lived through deep depression many times including suicidal ideations. He has been a local mental health advocate since 2015. During that time he led and continues to lead a variety of events, to both reduce stigma and raise awareness about the importance of mental health. Scott shares about his bipolar journey publicly in a variety of ways including on his social media and in media interviews. He is currently writing his first book focused on a specific area of mental health. During his free time, Scott enjoys spiritual and personal growth, hiking, mountain biking, and reading.
Geoff Hilhorst
Musician | Realtor | Community Advocate
I’ve faced battles that too many experience in silence—mental health struggles and addiction. For years, shame and stigma kept me from speaking out, making it even harder to ask for help. I believed I had to fight my struggles alone, but I’ve since learned that healing begins with honesty and connection.
I still struggle today, and not every day is easy. But I no longer face it in isolation. I now have a voice behind me, an ever-growing support network, and the understanding that recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about perseverance. It’s about getting back up, even when it feels impossible.
By sharing my story, I hope to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and remind others that they don’t have to suffer in silence. If my voice can help even one person feel seen, heard, or understood, then it’s worth telling. No one should have to fight alone.
Ri
Mental Health Advocate
Ri, originally from the UK, moved to Banff last year to travel and explore new opportunities. She has experienced navigating multiple cultural identities and faced challenges growing up that has shaped how she approaches life and her relationships as an adult. Her experience with mental health struggles, led her to seek support and has been through both one-on-one therapy and group therapy sessions. Working in a new industry has been a learning curve, bringing both growth and setbacks. Ri is committed to learning and moving forward. She believes that everyone deserves access to support, “not everyone has the tools or network they need and healing depends on circumstances and sometimes is beyond personal control”. Ri has studied forensic psychology and has worked in various supportive roles within the mental health and wellbeing space which has sparked her passion for mental health advocacy.
