In a significant move to support student mental health, Alberta’s government has announced the extension of the Mental Health in Schools Pilot program for the 2024-25 academic year. The initiative, which began in 2022, will continue with an additional $6.7 million in funding, aiming to provide critical mental health resources to approximately 350,000 students across the province.
The program was initially introduced to enhance the availability and quality of mental health services within schools, recognizing the strong link between student well-being and academic success. The extended 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 in-school psychologists and social workers to delivering mental health literacy programs and providing professional development for educators.
With this new investment, the Alberta government’s total contribution to the Mental Health in Schools Pilot program surpasses $50 million. Originally, 59 of these projects were scheduled to conclude in December 2024. However, the additional funding will allow these initiatives to continue throughout the entire school year, ensuring sustained support for students.
Upon the program’s completion at the end of the 2024-25 school year, participating school authorities will be required to submit reports on the pilot projects. These reports will help guide future policy decisions aimed at improving student mental health and well-being across Alberta.
This extension comes in conjunction with a broader commitment from Alberta’s government, which has allocated $1.5 billion in the 2024 budget for learning support. This funding is designed to assist school authorities in providing psychological, social-emotional, and other wellness supports to students as needed.
Public, separate, francophone, public charter, accredited-funded independent schools, and First Nations education authorities were all eligible to apply for the program, reflecting the government’s dedication to ensuring comprehensive mental health support for all students in the province.