On April 6, 2018, the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team bus collided with a semi-truck at a rural intersection in Saskatchewan. The crash claimed the lives of 16 people and left 13 others injured. Among the survivors was Tyler Smith, a forward on the team. Due to the severity of his injuries, Tyler has no memory of the crash. In the years since, he has faced physical recovery as well as ongoing challenges with grief, survivor’s guilt, and mental health.
Despite these hardships, Tyler has shown remarkable resilience. He went on to win The Amazing Race Canada alongside his partner Kat Kastner, and he founded Not Alone Co., an initiative aimed at building a supportive community for people navigating mental health struggles.
This year at Coalhurst High School, the student council and staff are collaborating to foster a culture of meaningful connections. Their goal is to encourage students to engage in face-to-face conversations rather than relying on texting and social media, helping them build new friendships and stronger relationships within their school and community.
Across Canada, youth mental health trends indicate a troubling rise in anxiety and sadness. While multiple factors contribute to this—such as the lasting effects of the pandemic, social media influence, and increasing academic and social pressures—Coalhurst High is taking a proactive approach. By prioritizing connection and compassion, the school is committed to supporting student well-being.
As part of this initiative, CHS has been actively raising awareness about available mental health resources and working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. The senior high Headstrong Team delivered presentations to junior high classes, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and providing information on available support.
This effort then expanded into a collaborative initiative between CHS Student Council and Parent Council. Recognizing the need for more open discussions around mental health and a message that could drive positive change, they successfully applied for a grant to help offset the costs to bring in Tyler as a guest speaker. The event quickly gained momentum, attracting not only Coalhurst students and families but also community members and students from neighboring Palliser schools.
After Tyler’s presentation, he took questions from the crowd. Students asked everything from who his favourite basketball player is, to how he copes with grief, and even debated whether “orange” the fruit or the colour came first. Later, student council members and mental health advocates from nearby schools joined Tyler in a smaller session to brainstorm how they could bring meaningful change and support to their own communities.
Tyler’s visit was a reminder that strength doesn’t mean having it all figured out—it means being willing to show up, speak out, and support one another. For the student leaders at Coalhurst and beyond, the conversation didn’t end when the presentation did. It sparked something deeper: a growing movement of young people determined to lead with empathy, build stronger school communities, and make sure no one feels alone.
Hear more from Coalhurst High School's Student Council here.