Health and well-being are deeply embedded in cultural and social contexts, yet dominant healthcare models often overlook the lived experiences of rural communities. Geographic isolation, rigid work schedules, and deeply ingrained stigma surrounding mental health prevent individuals from seeking care. Conventional, top-down approaches to healthcare frequently fail to accommodate these realities, leading to underutilization of services and limited community engagement. This session introduces participatory design and ethnographic research as transformative tools for community-building, collaboration, and improving mental health accessibility in rural settings.

Through an in-depth case study of Rocky View County, Alberta, this session explores how arts-based research and sensory ethnography uncover hidden barriers to care and co-create contextually relevant, community-driven mental health interventions. By involving residents as co-researchers – through creative workshops and participatory mapping – this approach builds trust, fosters open dialogue, and facilitates culturally appropriate solutions. This session is designed to bridge research and practice, providing attendees with a scalable, interdisciplinary model where human ecology, public health and rehabilitation sciences intersect to generate sustainable, community-led healthcare solutions. Participants will gain actionable tools to move beyond crisis intervention toward preventive, community-embedded mental health strategies. By positioning communities as co-creators of their own health systems, this session challenges traditional top-down approaches and presents a compelling vision for inclusive, participatory healthcare. Attendees will gain a practical, participatory framework for building resilience and culturally responsive mental health solutions in rural and underserved communities.