Broncos bus crash survivor shares mental health journey with Sask. construction workers

WATCH: A survivor of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash is using his experience to raise awareness on mental health.

A survivor of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash is sharing his struggles with mental health to help raise awareness and create conversation around mental well-being.

Tyler Smith was a guest speaker at a Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association luncheon in Saskatoon on Thursday. Smith spoke about struggling with survivors’ guilt after being a victim of the 2018 bus crash, when a semi barrelled through a stop sign, killing 16 people and injuring 13 others.

“There were 16 beautiful families that lost a loved one, and you’re still here. I had a really hard time with that,” Smith said during his presentation.

Since the crash, he’s been an advocate for mental health, starting his own clothing line and co-hosting a podcast to help promote dialogue around mental health.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) says mental health goes hand-in-hand with safety on the job site.

“Being focused is really critical in order to get the tasks done properly. And when we’ve got folks that are maybe distracted with something at home or something that’s going on inside, it can be a real hazard,” SCSA president Collin Pullar said in an interview with CTV News.

While Smith continues to heal, he says deciding to open up and lean on loved ones has been critical.

“It’s an everyday process, I think it continues to be, and I’ve really relied more and more on the people in my life,” Smith said in an interview with CTV News.

He encourages others to speak up about mental health and to listen and support one another.