Mental Health Wellness for Working Men in Fort McMurray and Northern Alberta.
Living and working in the oil fields of Northern Alberta comes with a unique set of challenges, especially for men employed in industries that require long hours and rotational shifts. The 4 weeks on, 10 days off schedule—while financially rewarding—creates significant strain on personal relationships, mental well-being, and overall life balance. Many men return home exhausted, which may create difficulty reintegrating into family life or personal relationships. If you find yourself struggling, therapy can be a vital tool to help discuss challenges and explore ways to navigate the work and personal life imbalance.
Working in the oil fields of Northern Alberta presents significant challenges, particularly for men facing long hours and a 4 weeks on, 10 days off schedule that strains personal relationships and mental well-being. Therapy can be a valuable resource for those struggling to balance their demanding work life with home responsibilities.
The Emotional Toll of Shift Work
Working 14-16 hour days, often in isolated conditions, leaves little room for personal fulfillment. Many men who work in the oil sands of Fort McMurray and surrounding areas describe feeling disconnected from their loved ones and unsure how to manage personal life when they go home on their days off. Common challenges include:
Loneliness – Difficulty maintaining relationships or forming new ones.
Frustration in relationships – Feeling unacknowledged by partners or struggling with communication.
Emotional exhaustion – The lack of a personal life outside of work leading to burnout.
Parenting struggles – Staying in a marriage solely for the children while feeling emotionally unfulfilled.
Breaking the Cycle of Isolation
Many men have shared that when they discuss their emotional struggles, it feels like they are ‘weak’ and unable to fulfill their role as the provider for their family or partner. However, the key message here is that talking about stress, loneliness, and relationship issues does not make you weak—it makes you human. For this reason, therapy can provide a confidential space to:
Recognize how work stress impacts your personal life.
Develop healthier coping mechanisms for exhaustion and frustration.
Explore ways to reconnect with family and friends.
Navigate dating and relationship challenges with insight and confidence.
Online dating can be draining and superficial, leaving many men frustrated with shallow conversations and meaningful connection challenges. Therapy can help explore better relationship-building methods and address emotional barriers to connection.
Online Dating & Relationship Struggles
For those who are single, online dating can feel exhausting and inauthentic. Many of my male patients express frustration with superficial conversations and the difficulty of forming meaningful connections. Speaking with a therapist can help explore alternative ways to build relationships and understand emotional barriers that might be making connection more difficult.
Family & Mental Health Considerations
Some men have indicated that they stay in relationships for the sake of their children, but they struggle with whether this is truly the best decision. Talking to a counsellor can offer perspective on:
Understanding the impact of staying in an unhappy marriage.
Exploring co-parenting strategies if separation becomes necessary.
Preventing emotional burdens from passing onto children (e.g., children becoming therapists for their parents).
Taking the First Step
If you’re reading this and recognizing your own struggles, it’s a sign that reaching out for support is the right choice. Therapy doesn’t mean solving everything at once—it means focusing on where your mental health is today and making small, meaningful changes. It also provides a place to talk about what is on your mind and release emotions that can easily be locked inside. Whether you decide to work on communication, explore your feelings about work-life balance, or simply have a space to talk, therapy can provide the tools you need to feel more in control of your life.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Reaching out to a counsellor can help you navigate these challenges and find a path toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
— Written by Aman Dhaliwal, Registered Social Worker & Owner, BA, MSW, RSW.
Breathe Counselling is a south Edmonton-based mental health clinic in Alberta, designed to listen, help, and coach those needing counselling and therapy. We specialize in couple’s counselling, men’s counselling, cultural therapy for newcomers, anxiety & depression, work stress management, life transition & loss. Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu counselling services are available through in-person, virtual or phone call sessions by visiting breathecounselling.ca.