Men find connection and community through Whistler-based therapy

It started as a passion project—but in the end, Slope Side Support proved to be something much more: a vital mental health resource for men in Whistler.

The pilot project offered a group therapy program specifically for men, with three clinical counsellors facilitating eight weekly sessions through the spring. Each session was capped at eight participants to ensure intimacy and safety. According to creator Krista Scott, the limited size was a feature, not a flaw.

“It gave people enough time to share their personal stories, connect with others, and get personalized feedback from three registered clinical counsellors,” she said. “Everyone got the support they needed.”

The support group attracted men with diverse life experiences—many working in or around Whistler Blackcomb, patrol, or retail, or with a deep connection to the mountain lifestyle. It was built on the belief that community connection and peer empathy can help men navigate everything from grief and trauma to life transitions and anxiety.

That concept resonated deeply with participant Jon Parris, who joined after struggling to find connection in traditional therapy spaces.

“In my experience, the best therapy has come from group settings,” said Parris. “Meeting others that have had similar experiences is often the only time I have felt true, honest empathy. It’s hard to relate to people who haven’t experienced similar struggles, pain and trauma.”

Unlike traditional group therapy, which often focuses on a shared diagnosis, Slope Side Support offered a space where connection didn’t depend on labels.

“The bond is the same bond that brought many of us to Whistler—some form of salvation smiling on the slopes,” Parris said.

That shared context, said counsellor Greg McDonnell, made a real difference. “Common themes included grief, life transitions, anxiety, aloneness,” he said. “But what struck me was how ready they were to be vulnerable. This safety and openness really fostered a connectedness for each of the participants.”

It wasn’t always easy to reach that place of honesty. “I’m definitely guilty of not asking for help soon enough,” said Parris. “Especially growing up in a world of adventure sports, with the ethos to ‘just walk it off’ burned into our culture. I’ve come to realize it’s weak not to ask for help.”

He now calls it his “emotional gym.”

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Anonymous surveys collected at the end of the series found every participant except one said they would return—the lone outlier marked “maybe.” For returning participants, said Scott, it created a sense of community. Even if people weren’t close friends, they found space to connect without stigma.

“Bridging the gap in mental health care for men in the Sea to Sky—it’s been really inspiring,” she said. “We’ve lost men to suicide in the last few years. Being one small step to combat that is what we’re here for.”

Capacity and funding remain ongoing challenges. Scott and the other facilitators all work full-time outside of Slope Side Support. They recently qualified for charity status with the Canada Revenue Agency to help access grants and private donors. The program is also seeking ways to adapt for summer, possibly through outdoor activities like hiking, paddling or climbing.

Despite those uncertainties, she said the energy behind the project continues to grow.

“Passion grows each time we have a session,” said Scott. “People grow every time we’re there.”

For Parris, that growth is exactly what makes him want to return.

“I absolutely will be back. I felt I made some real connections. I’m hoping they find a way to run through the summer.”