Lethbridge School Division board office. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Alberta to spend $87 million on youth mental health supports in schools

Jul 28, 2022 | 1:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The provincial government has announced funding aimed at supporting the mental health of youths across Alberta.

Among the total of $87 million announced on Thursday, July 28, 2022, approximately $42 million will go towards increasing access to mental health supports in schools while $45 million will be spent on pediatric rehabilitation services and programs.

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Mike Ellis says children in Alberta deserve the opportunity to improve their mental health.

“As part of a recovery-oriented system of care, we are ensuring that kids have the supports they need in schools to achieve their full potential and live healthy and happy lives,” says Elils.

Mental Health Supports

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$42 million will be spent over three years to expand access for children and youth in schools. This year, funding will be targeted to communities in the Calgary and Edmonton Zones and expand elsewhere later.

For students with more complex needs, specialized clinical services will consist of a mental health therapist, a psychiatrist, and a classroom behavioural specialist.

Teams will be supported by others including nurses, social workers, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists.

Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

$45 million will be spent over three years to increase access and improve the quality of pediatric rehabilitation services and programs such as speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy.

These supports will be offered across the province by Alberta Health Services (AHS) in partnership with local school boards.

Funding will be used in the following areas:

• Establishing clear intake, triage, and access to services
• Developing universal and targeted resources and programming for families
• Expanding eligibility for speech sound delays and disorders and mobility and positioning from birth to 18 years
• Strengthening pediatric rehabilitation and teams to support care across the continuum

Elaine Finseth, Associate Chief Allied Health Officer with AHS, believes these actions will go a long way in supporting children who need it.

“Child and Youth Health Services Initiative funding will help AHS to enhance pediatric rehabilitation services in all five health zones,” says Finseth. “We will work with our health system and community partners to ensure young Albertans have better access to specialized services.”

Youths needing mental health support can utilize initiatives such as Kids Help Phone, 211 Alberta, and youth mental health hubs.