Country Road Chats

01/02/2026

I think it’s so important to acknowledge those who may not be feeling the same joy in the New Year.

10/20/2025

Check out this video describing the great event coming up this Thursday, October 23! Talk Ask Listen by Merle Massie of Do More Ag Foundation and a fabulous supper all FREE to everyone. Please pre-register Eventbrite Talk Ask Listen: Castor, AB

10/06/2025

Mark this on your calendar!
This is a great community initiative that teaches people how to reach out and help friends, family and neighbours.

09/16/2025

Sharing stories is so important.

It may even save a person's life.

September is Su***de Awareness Month and unfortunately we all have stories to share. Many of us feel this closer than others.

I met my husband Jan 1,1990.

It wasn't long before I was head over heels for Shannon, a dark haired small town farmer with tons of charm and humor.

We were engaged Oct 1,1990 and we were excited to share the news.

We could tell most everyone in person except his sister Shelly. She lived in BC and we were located in east central Alberta.

Shelly was excited for us! I had met her for the first time in July at our small town homecoming weekend. She was fun and so welcoming to this lovesick girl on her brother's arm.

We called to tell her the news and share that besides planning the wedding we wanted to head to BC on our honeymoon.

That was the last time we spoke with her.

Shelly was going through a separation with 2 small children. A girl almost 3 and a boy who would turn 1 just days after her departure.

It was devastating to the family. The debris of a su***de is like a bomb. It is far reaching and hurts the hearts of so many people.

Fast forward to 1994 after I have just given birth to my daughter. I am sitting in the fetal position in the corner of my living room sobbing uncontrollably.

I had been diagnosed with Post Partum Depression in hospital.

Shannon didn't know what to do but ask "Are you going to end up like Shelly?"

I didn't know.

How did Shelly get to the point of deciding ending her life was better than living it?

I didn't feel I had control of my mind and it shook me to the core.

I knew I could never put my husband through that again. It broke him in ways I could not mend with my love for him.

I went in for treatment for many weeks and again after having my son in 1997.
"Are you going to end up like Shelly" rang in my head repeatedly over those very difficult months of recovery.

I didn't know Shelly for long but I knew she was kind and caring and would never want to hurt anyone. Especially her family.

I can't speak to her thoughts. No one can.....but I know her life may have saved mine.

This is why we need to share our stories. To help others, perhaps someone you've never met or someone you've only met once.

07/24/2025

Thought I’d do a re-introduction of myself.

I’m Doreen Blumhagen🙋🏼‍♀️

I’m a farmer, damn good wife, average Momma and a proud Nana!👩🏻‍🌾👰🏻🧏🏼‍♀️👵🏻

I love having deep conversations around emotions, mental health and grief. ❤️‍🩹

I am passion about learning about people and how each person handles struggles and success. 😞😃

I suck at keeping up with my social media and passing by ice cream in the summer. (I’m working on the first one not the latter 🤷🏼‍♀️🍦)

I proud to share my story of how I overcame my mental illness of PPD and how I manage my anxiety and clinical depression as a psych ward graduate. 👩🏼‍🎓

I have a business and website that you should check out .com 📲

I am constantly looking to have discussions and presentations about mental wellness and how we can achieve to be the best version of ourselves. 🙆🏼‍♀️🥰

Country Road Chats - Inspiring mental health presentations that bring humor, honesty, and lived experience to discussions on mental wellness, rural life, and community connections.

07/17/2025

Join us to discuss the needs, key focus areas and priorities to help AgKnow's strategic planning efforts. Age___