Alberta government invests funding towards Edmonton post-secondary student’s mental health

Edmonton area colleges and universities will receive $2.6 million each year over the next three years towards expanding and improving the mental health of students.

The funding is part of $25.8 million the provincial government is investing over three years towards the mental health of students at publicly funded post-secondary schools across Alberta.

“Mental health challenges have a significant impact on far too many students, and we are making these public investments so all students across the province have access to these programs when they need them,” Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt said.

READ MORE: Alberta commits $7.5M to improving mental health resources at Calgary colleges and universities

The University of Alberta is receiving $1 million, NAIT is getting $495,000 and MacEwan University is getting an investment of $360,000.

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“This investment will guide our efforts to create a sustainable student mental health model and further partnerships with community resources that provide our students with access to the supports they need – when they need them and where they need them,” University of Alberta vice provost and dean of students Andre Costopoulos said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This investment will guide our efforts to create a sustainable student mental health model and further partnerships with community resources that provide our students with access to the supports they need - when they need them and where they need them," University of Alberta vice provost and dean of students Andre Costopoulos said.

READ MORE: Post-secondary students in Lethbridge receive government support for mental health

Norquest College is receiving $265,000, Concordia University is getting $90,000, Athabasca University is receiving $215,000, King’s University is getting $75,000 and Burman University is receiving funding of $80,000.

“This generous boost in funding will allow students to access quality mental health support, which is important for them to reach their full potential,” Norquest College president and CEO Jodi Abbott said.

“By investing in the mental health of Alberta’s post-secondary students, we are creating stronger communities and a stronger Alberta.”

The University of Alberta Students’ Union and Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) , however, are calling for more information on how the money will be allocated.

“CAUS and students are anxiously awaiting more information on how the government and institutions plan to transition services into the community,” VP external of the Alberta Students’ Union and Chair of CAUS Reed Larsen said. “And we expect that there will be adequate community funding for students when that happens.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "CAUS and students are anxiously awaiting more information on how the government and institutions plan to transition services into the community," VP external of the Alberta Students' Union and Chair of CAUS Reed Larsen said. "And we expect that there will be adequate community funding for students when that happens."

In 2016, a National College Health Assessment Survey conducted at 10 post-secondary schools across Alberta found “a high incidence of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts” on campuses.

The province said it hopes to address this problem through the funding.

The government has posted more details about its post-secondary mental health program.