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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Applications until April 8

Alberta provides additional $3 million for youth mental health and suicide prevention

Mar 12, 2022 | 8:02 AM

The Alberta government will be providing additional funding for community organizations supporting youth mental health and suicide prevention.

The new youth suicide prevention grant program is accepting applications from community organizations until April 8.

“As young people continue to navigate the unique challenges caused by the pandemic, it is more important than ever that they feel heard, valued and supported. This funding will help youth community organizations continue to do the important work of supporting the mental health of at-risk young adults,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services.

Funding totalling $3 million will focus on ensuring young Albertans have access to effective suicide prevention supports and services, providing access to evidence-based training for those who support young people and reducing stigma through awareness campaigns so that youth and families are more likely to seek help related to suicide.

In a statement, the provincial government said, “Local youth-focused organizations know their communities well and do important work to support the mental health of Alberta’s youth. These grants will build on the work they are already doing to support youth mental health.”

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In 2019, the Government of Alberta launched Building Strength, Inspiring Hope: A Provincial Action Plan for Youth Suicide Prevention 2019-2024. This program will help advance the outcomes laid out in the plan and continue the work that has been achieved over the last two years.

“Alberta’s government is focused on providing recovery-oriented supports for youth struggling with mental health and addiction challenges. This new support for youth suicide prevention will support more youth to recover and improve their mental wellness,” said Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Some other initiatives over the past few years in the province include:

• The Child and Youth Well-being Review examined the impacts of COVID-19 on children and youth and provided recommendations to government to help create a cross-government action plan.
• Committing $7.3 million over three years to support the expansion of youth mental health hubs.
• Annual funding of $1.25 million was allocated for a 12-week Youth Recovery Program at Hull Services.
• Jack.org’s Alberta COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub providing accurate mental health information and resources for youth.