Two oil field workers in Alberta, Kurtis Winda and Tyler Krushen, are running a marathon to raise awareness about men’s mental health among those working in the oil and gas industry.

The duo is pushing back against the idea that men need to suffer through poor mental health without support. Kurtis and Tyler are raising awareness about men’s mental health and trying to challenge the idea that men should keep their struggles to themselves. Reports have revealed that fly-in, fly-out workers in Alberta’s oilsands experienced more stress, loneliness, and relationship problems than the general population.

Kurtis has worked in the oilfield for 15 years and shares that the job can be rewarding but also difficult because of long hours and being away from family and friends. He has seen the pressures affect many men, including himself, leading to mental health and addiction problems.

During his 12 years working in the oilfields, Tyler has experienced a big change, as he suddenly felt like he had to grow up quickly and start acting like a man. He began struggling with drugs and alcohol and was often told to “man up” and keep his feelings to himself.

The two men recently started a social media account called Run the Patch to raise awareness and encourage oilfield workers to talk about their struggles and mental health. The social media page shares stories to show others that it is okay to ask for help and talk about difficult things. Both men hope their experiences can help younger workers avoid some of the struggles they faced, while Kurtis believes that seeing other men speak openly will make it easier for more men to do the same. You can follow their journey on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok.

Source: Brittany Ekelund, CTV News