When a student's mental health needs are met, they learn better, achieve more and have healthier and more fulfilling relationships. Considering the important connection between student mental well-being and educational outcomes, Alberta's government is extending the Mental Health in Schools Pilot program by investing $6.7 million to ensure in-school mental health supports for as many as 350,000 students will continue during the 2024-25 school year.
The program was first launched in 2022, focussing on improving the delivery of mental health supports and services for students and providing tools, training and resources for the school community, with the goal of improving student mental health outcomes. With this $6.7-million investment, Alberta's government is funding over $50 million in Mental Health in Schools Pilot projects.
"With our continued support for student mental health, school authorities, mental health service providers and other organizations are taking collaborative and innovative approaches to support the well-being of students. By funding dozens of mental health pilot projects, we are helping drive local solutions while also gathering the information necessary to help inform decisions on supporting student well-being across the province for years to come."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
The Mental Health in Schools Pilot program has helped 79 school divisions across the province launch locally developed mental health initiatives in their schools to meet the unique needs of students and communities they serve. These initiatives include and are not limited to hiring in-school psychologists and social workers, delivering mental health literacy programs, and providing professional development and training for staff. Fifty-nine of the projects were set to end in December 2024, and the additional funding will extend those initiatives to ensure students continue to be supported for the entire 2024-25 school year.
"This extension will assist locally elected school boards in their continued work to address the mental health and well-being of students in their communities."
Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association
"Prioritizing mental health resources is essential for students to learn, belong and succeed. RVS appreciates the provincial government's recognition of the strong connection between mental health and learning. Continuing to provide this critically needed funding allows RVS to offer existing mental health programs for another year to support student achievement."
Fiona Gilbert, chair, Rocky View Schools
The Mental Health in Schools Pilot program will run until the end of the 2024-25 school year. School authorities will then be asked to submit reports on the pilots to help inform future policy decisions to support student mental health and well-being.
Quick facts
- Public, separate, francophone, public charter, accredited-funded independent school authorities and First Nations education authorities were eligible to apply for this funding.
- Budget 2024 also includes $1.5 billion for learning support funding, which includes funding that allows school authorities to provide students with psychological and social-emotional supports, access to mental health workers and other wellness supports, as needed.
Related information
