by Dawn Stilwell and Diane Bergsma
The Bergsmas are a local farming family. Al and Diane, once in the Air Force, took up farming and had five boys, Levi, Dustin, Dalles, Jordon, Jesse and two daughters, Charity and Brooklyn. Dalles loved growing up on the farm, with the idea that he would grow up and be a farmer himself.
That idea blossomed and Dalles bought his own farm at the age of 18. He married his high school sweetheart, Michelle, and settled into life on the farm. Over the years, they were able to expand their farm operations, and Michelle also started a flower farm. The two of them were living a rich and fulfilled life, with Dalles also being a member of the Dawn Euphemia Fire Department.
Despite how life looked on the outside, Dalles was struggling with the stresses of farming life and the first responder trauma that he hid behind his easy-going demeanor. In a moment of despondency in the fall of 2020, Dalles died by suicide, leaving his friends and family shattered and wondering, how could this happen? And if this could happen to him, one who seemed to have such a good life, what could be done for other farmers and first responders who might also be struggling in a similar fashion?
Out of the tragedy of their son’s death, the Bergsmas came up with the concept of Three Oaks Cabin. Their dream is to build a cabin that will be free to use by farmers and first responders as a respite from their stresses and anxiety/pressures. It is a place where they can rest, reflect, reorient and reconnect – with follow up support from a registered therapist if desired. Here, they will be able to take advantage of self-directed programs to help them evaluate where they are emotionally, come to terms with where they are, and they will also have access to self-directed programs that they can continue at home. The Bergsmas agree that it is time to break the stigma surround mental health and mental illnesses, and hope that their Three Oaks Cabin project will be a step towards helping to accomplish that. They are also in the final stages of the application process to register Three Oaks Cabin as a charity.
More About the Cabin
Three Oaks Cabin is currently being built on property that is being severed from one of the Bergsma family’s farms. Included in the three-bedroom structure and space will be created where mental wellness workshops can be hosted, on such topics as PTSD and grief and loss. They hope to host full day workshop for free once the cabin is built. They have also partnered with CMHA and the National Farmers Mental Health Alliance to offer services as well. Donations to help get this project off the ground have been rolling in. To date, local construction businesses have donated the cement pad, roof and windows and doors, all much appreciated by the Bergsma family.
With gratitude for all the support, and in anticipation of clearing the last administrative hurdles they hope to have the cabin up and running by late spring or early summer of 2023. If you’d like to donate to the cause, or find out more information about Three Oaks Cabin, please visit their website at www.threeoakscabin.com.