Premier Jason Kenney announced the funding during Wednesday's COVID-19 update (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Shane Clausing

Mental Health Supports

Province provides additional $53 million for mental health supports

Apr 15, 2020 | 4:21 PM

The Government of Alberta is providing $53 million to help support mental health programs in the province during COVID-19.

These new funds will help implement more online, phone and in-person mental health and addiction recovery services to help Albertan’s cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

$21.4 million will go towards improving the access to phone and online supports. Supports include the Addiction Helpline, Mental Health Helpline, Kids Help Phone and the Community and Social Services Helpline.

In addition, $2.6 million will go towards expanding individual and group treatment to address family violence, addiction and mental health and $4.2 million to expand the addiction and mental health support available through Primary Care Networks.

The biggest chunk of money will see $25 million given towards a new community grant program to enhance community mental health and addiction recovery for the public, including Indigenous communities, seniors, families and people experiencing social barriers.

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Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Jason Laun, said in a statement that this announcement helps everyone.

“These resources will help address the needs of children, youth and adults, and we will continue to work with our partners across the mental health and addiction sector to find innovative ways to support Albertans in need, both now and after the pandemic is behind us.”

Kenney said this money is in addition to the $140 million the provincial government has already earmarked for mental health and addictions services, which Kenney said was promised by the UCP government following the 2019 spring election.