Canada Global(Web News)
In a major move to support student mental health, the Government of Alberta has announced the extension of the Mental Health in Schools Pilot Program for the 2024-25 school year. The initiative, which began in 2022, will continue with $6.7 million in additional funding, aimed at providing critical mental health resources to approximately 350,000 students across the province.
The program was initially introduced to increase the availability and quality of mental health services in schools, recognizing the strong link between student well-being and academic achievement. The expanded funding will ensure that the 79 school divisions currently participating can maintain and expand their locally developed mental health initiatives. These initiatives range from hiring school psychologists and social workers to providing mental health literacy programs and professional development for teachers.
With this new investment, the Alberta government’s total contribution to the Mental Health in Schools pilot program exceeds $50 million. Originally, 59 of these projects were scheduled to be completed in December 2024. However, additional funding will allow these initiatives to continue throughout the school year, ensuring continued support for students.
Upon completion of the program at the end of the 2024-25 school year, participating school officials will be required to submit reports on the pilot projects. These reports will help guide future policy decisions aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of students across Alberta.
The expansion coincides with a broader commitment from the Government of Alberta, which has allocated $1.5 billion for learning support in the 2024 budget. This funding is designed to help school officials provide psychological, social-emotional, and other well-being support to students as needed.
Public, segregated, francophone, public charter, recognized funded independent schools, and First Nations education authorities were all eligible to apply for the program, which aims to ensure comprehensive mental health support for all students in the province. reflect the government’s commitment to
