Province aiming to grow 211’s mental health and addiction support capacity

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The government says doubling 211’s funding will enable the call centre to significantly increase its capacity to help more Albertans, improve the way they connect people to services and enhance the referral services and crisis supports it offers. 211’s increased capacity is expected to allow the service to:

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• Meet current call volumes, which have remained high since 2020.
• Connect callers from rural and Indigenous communities with increased culturally and locally relevant supports.
• Develop and implement a community engagement strategy to increase the understanding of the needs and challenges faced by underserved populations.
• Develop and implement specialized navigation supports for children, youth and families.
• Continue expanding the digital navigation and crisis support hub that allows for seamless transfers between virtual resources.

The government says these additional supports will help this proven, time-tested virtual resource connect Albertans to essential services within Alberta’s recovery-oriented system of care.

“211 Alberta is a critical service that helps all Albertans access social sector supports they need, when and where they need it. This United Way initiative has never been more essential than right now, and this increased funding will help us show more Albertans where they can turn for help. 211 is an easy, barrier-free, 3-digit entry point to get help and support, available 24/7, across Alberta,” notes Rob Yager, president & CEO, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.

“Expansion of 211 services will enable people to access much-needed care, including evidence-based addiction services like what we offer at Alberta’s Virtual Opioid Dependency Program. Alberta is a leading jurisdiction at helping people connect with much-needed opioid addiction treatment on demand,” adds Dr. Nathaniel Day, medical director VODP, Central Zone, Alberta Health Services. “In fact, today any Alberta resident can start treatment when and where they need it, with no cost and with no waitlist. Any steps taken to better work together and provide more straightforward access for those seeking help is going to benefit Albertans, their families and communities on their path to recovery.”

The government says 211 is an important component of Alberta’s recovery-oriented system of care, where everyone struggling with addiction and mental health challenges has access to comprehensive services and supports. Alberta’s government says it has also made getting help easier and more affordable by adding more than 8,000 new publicly funded addiction treatment spaces, which are free for all Albertans, increasing access to life-saving addiction treatment medications, expanding affordable counselling options, increasing access to classroom mental health supports for students, and supporting the mental health of seniors.

Alberta’s government says it is also working to expand services and treatment capacity in Calgary and Edmonton, where the need is said to be the greatest. With $124 million in new funding, the government is building two new recovery communities to offer long-term residential addiction treatment, creating new hybrid health and police hubs to integrate these essential services, and strengthening harm reduction and recovery outreach teams to better connect people with overdose prevention supports. These efforts are expected to help provide more life-saving services to those in need while building safer and healthier communities for all Albertans.

Alberta government quick facts

• Albertans experiencing addiction or mental health challenges can contact 211 for information on services in their community.
• 211 is available 24/7 by phone, text and chat. The service is free, confidential and available in more than 170 languages over the phone.
• 211 helps connect people of all ages with other virtual supports, such as Kids Help Phone and the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline.
• In 2021, 211 answered more than 100,000 requests from Albertans by phone, text and chat. More than 200,000 Albertans accessed the 211 service listings through the website.
• Alberta spends more than $1 billion annually on addiction and mental health care and supports, including prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.