(Image Credit: Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools/Facebook)

By rdnewsNOW staff

St. John Paul II Outreach School

Third CASA Mental Health Classroom opens in Red Deer

Feb 20, 2026 | 5:44 PM

A new CASA Mental Health Classroom has been opened in Red Deer, making it the third to be added to the community and the seventh in central Alberta.

It was opened in St. John Paul II Outreach School, where it will serve patients in Grades 8 to 12. The CASA says these patients haven’t responded as expected to previous therapy and experience symptoms that impact their home and social lives.

The new opening means up to 168 central Alberta children can access mental health care right within their school each year. The program serves children and teens in Grades 4 to 12 with mental health challenges.

“The Board is excited about the opportunities for students to receive academic programming while focusing on their mental health in the CASA Classroom,” said Chris Andrew, Board Chair, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

CASA Mental Health Classrooms are CASA Mental Health’s model of school-based mental health service, in partnership with the Government of Alberta, Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction, Ministry of Education and Alberta K-12 school divisions.

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“We are proud to partner with CASA Mental Health to bring this crucial asset to our division. The CASA Classroom addresses a critical gap by bridging a child’s mental health and educational needs, allowing us to deliver essential services that will continue to help our students learn and grow,” said Nicole Zimmerman, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

CASA Classrooms address the need for services closer to families by bridging a child’s mental health and school needs through a coordinated approach by a CASA Mental Health team and a teacher. By providing mental health services directly in the school, caregivers do not need to schedule appointments or take time off work.

“Patients receive individual and group therapy, medical care and school programming all right within the classroom. But programming doesn’t stop there. We also help families to better support their children at home by offering them mental health education and connections to community supports. We’re also ensuring schools receive the tools they need to support students to thrive – not only the students returning from CASA Classrooms, but all students who walk through their doors,” said Lori Roe, Clinical Director – CASA Mental Health Classrooms.