By Chris Brown

$7.3M over three years province-wide

Medicine Hat first in line for expansion of youth mental health hub

Jul 20, 2021 | 2:49 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Alberta government will provide up to $7.3 million over three years to support the expansion of youth mental health hubs to give young Albertans a one-stop shop for services to improve their mental health and overall wellness.

Medicine Hat is one of eight youth mental health hubs in various stages of development across Alberta. Medicine Hat is the first of the expansions to be announced.

A range of services will be available to youth, including mental health and addiction services, primary health care, social services, housing and school-based supports. Partners include community-based organizations, Alberta Health Services, Primary Care Networks and other community partners, depending on the region.

The $7.3 million will be distributed over three years, with close to $3 million allocated in 2021-22.

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Rebecca Schulz, minister of children’s services, says the youth hubs will help children in rural communities access the supports they need as they come out of the pandemic.

“Vulnerable and at-risk youth have been disproportionally impacted, and when people have to go to a number of different places to get help the likelihood of them trying to continue to seek out those supports declines, and so we need to be there to support them where they are at, and that’s why as government, I think the most important part of this program is that it is being driven by the community,” she said.

In Medicine Hat, the Hub supports people ages 11 to 24. Referrals can be self-completed or through a partnering agency such as the CMHA and the Miywasin Friendship Centre.

Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo says the announcement has been in the works for some time, and she is excited for the gaps it will address in the community.

Learn more about virtual and telephone mental health and addiction supports for youth by visiting alberta.ca.

For the local CMHA website with mental health resources & programs visit this link.

Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642

Distress Centre Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (text line: 686868)

Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 (text line: 45645)

AHS Addiction and Mental Health (Medicine Hat local): 403-529-3500

If you are in an emergency situation, call 911.