Oil companies in northern Alberta are struggling to help workers experiencing high rates of depression and suicide.

Sherry Scott, whose husband Dean committed suicide a few months ago, says the northern city needs better mental health services.

"It's the way of life up here. You're worked hard, you're treated almost like a dog and it's all about the money," Scott said.

Scott says she believes her husband would be alive today if better mental health services had been available. "I have no doubt about that. He wanted help, he was asking for help, he was begging for help.

"It just wasn't there."

Dean Scott couldn't get an appointment with a psychiatrist, his wife says, because the two doctors that treat adults in the region of 80,000 people aren't taking new patients. There are also three psychologists in the region.

Karen Gooden, who runs the crisis line in Fort McMurray, said most calls used to come from women. Now, the callers are mainly middle-aged men, with similar problems.

Relationships problems common

"It usually starts out with some kind of relationship problem," Gooden said. The man may have come to town to make some money after breaking up with his girlfriend or his wife.

"Addictions come into it, whether that's alcohol, drugs," said Gooden.

"From that, we find out about depression and we find out about a whole lot of other emotional problems that the person may have as well."

Gooden said many men move to Fort McMurray to make a fast buck, but leave their support system at home. So if they run into difficult times, they don't have anyone to talk to or help them through.

Companies try to help

Most of the larger companies operating in the oilsands have employee assistance programs, but often have a three-week wait before the client can see anyone.

The industry also has representatives on a committee looking at ways to address the shortcomings in mental health services in the community.

Some companies are running a buddy system, where co-workers are charged with looking out for each other.

Charles Iggulden, head of the region's construction association, says it appears to be working, with a lower turnover of staff and more satisfied employees.

"Just try and make them feel good, some incentives to get them home, and we give them activities on their days off, so they aren't just sitting in their room stewing," Iggulden said.

"We're matching longer-term employees with new employees so they can show them around."

He brings his workers small gifts or cigarettes to try to keep morale up, but says the only real solution is better funding for mental health services in the community.