The Lethbridge School Division is one of the 79 school divisions participating in the Mental Health in Schools Pilot program. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Province adding $6.7 million to support mental health programs in schools

Aug 14, 2024 | 9:37 AM

Several schools in Alberta will be able to continue offering mental health initiatives.

The Government of Alberta has announced that it is increasing funding for its Mental Health in Schools Pilot project by $6.7 million to a total of more than $50 million.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says he hopes to ensure that in-school mental health supports for as many as 350,000 students will still be offered in the 2024-25 academic year.

“With our continued support for student mental health, school authorities, mental health service providers and other organizations are taking collaborative and innovative approaches to support the well-being of students,” says Nicolaides. “By funding dozens of mental health pilot projects, we are helping drive local solutions while also gathering the information necessary to help inform decisions on supporting student well-being across the province for years to come.”

The program has seen 79 school divisions launch locally-developed mental health initiatives, including hiring psychologists and social workers, delivering mental health literacy programs, and providing training for staff.

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Of those 79 school divisions, funding was set to expire in December 2024 for 59, but that will now continue for the entire upcoming school year.

Alberta Teachers’ Association President Jason Schilling says he is encouraged to see the government recognize the importance of mental health supports for students.

“The decision to extend the Mental Health in Schools Pilot program is welcome news, but it still falls short of providing the public education system with the reliable funding it needs in this area,” says Schilling.

He continues, “This program only guarantees access to mental health supports and services until the end of the upcoming school year. However, our members have consistently expressed the need for dependable and continuous mental health supports for their students.”

The participating divisions will be asked to submit reports at the end of the 2024-25 school year to help inform future policy decisions.

The full list of school division that are part of the Mental Health in School Pilot program are on the Government of Alberta website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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