EDMONTON (RAJEEV SHARMA): Alberta is directing $2 million toward community organizations working to prevent youth suicide and strengthen mental health supports for young people across the province.
The funding will be distributed among 14 community-based projects through the province’s Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The initiatives are designed to help young people build stronger connections, develop coping and life skills, and access support that reflects the circumstances of their individual communities.
The latest investment forms part of Alberta’s wider approach to addressing mental health challenges among children and youth through prevention and early intervention. Programs operating in schools, communities and Family Resource Networks are among the areas receiving attention.
Since the grant program began supporting projects in 2024, funded initiatives have reached more than 3,200 young Albertans, helping them strengthen relationships, develop practical skills and connect with local services.
Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton said community organizations are important in ensuring young people can access support that is both accessible and culturally appropriate.
Mental Health and Addiction Minister Rick Wilson said early access to support can help young people develop resilience and maintain healthier relationships and lives.
Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney highlighted the importance of culture, language, family and community for Indigenous youth. She said community-led programs can help First Nations, Métis and Inuit young people strengthen their identity and confidence while addressing challenges in ways that reflect their communities.
Community programs at the centre of prevention efforts
The provincial government said preventing youth suicide requires cooperation among families, community groups and organizations. Rather than relying on a single approach, the funded projects will provide supports tailored to the young people they serve.
Among the recipients is the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, which plans to use the funding to strengthen school-based mental health and suicide prevention work through its All in for Youth initiative.
President and CEO Rob Yager said the additional resources will help remove barriers for socially vulnerable students and provide support aimed at keeping them engaged in school and helping them move toward graduation and future opportunities.
Another recipient, Free Play for Kids, will use its programs built around sport and recreation to help young people establish relationships with trusted adults and develop skills for dealing with difficult situations.
Executive director Tim Adams said sports and play can provide environments where children feel comfortable and connected, creating opportunities to identify concerns and offer assistance before problems become a crisis.
The Alberta government said its broader mental health strategy also includes expanding services in schools and communities, maintaining youth-focused online and telephone resources and making mental health and addiction services available through Recovery Alberta.
Young people or families looking for immediate support in Alberta can contact 211 by phone or text to connect with available mental health and addiction services. The service is free, confidential and available around the clock. In an emergency, residents are advised to call 911.
