By Patrick Burles - @Patrick Burles on Twitter

Province Extends Mental Health Care Funding for Post-Secondary Students

Sep 15, 2016 | 12:53 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The Alberta government has extended funding to cover mental health services for post-secondary students.

Advanced Education Minister, Marlin Schmidt, made the announcement Thursday morning (Sept. 15) at the University of Lethbridge.

In total they will provide $3.6-million – with $600,000 of that coming to the U-of-L – to continue funding that started in 2013.

“The statistics for mental health issues on campus are really concerning, you know 90-per cent of students have reported feeling overwhelmed, one in 10 students seriously consider suicide,” explained Schmidt.

Since the funding started in 2013, the U-of-L has added counsellors, a physician, dietician and psychiatric nurse, while also covering workshops and training.

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“Mental health concerns often result in students exiting university early, not completing their programs, and at the very least, not fulfilling their potential within their programs and beyond,” stated Mark Slomp, Acting Director of Student Services and Manager of Counselling and Career Services on campus. “So it is critical to the success of students.”

The extension, which will run through 2017, will also go towards the Alberta Students’ Executive Council (ASEC), University of Alberta, and University of Calgary and align with existing grant agreements with MacEwan University and Mount Royal University.