This release was issued under a previous government.
The province will provide $240,000 in funding each year for three years to Keyano College to support student mental health on campus. The funding is part of $25.8 million the government is investing between 2017 and 2020 to protect and improve mental health resources for post-secondary students at publicly funded institutions across Alberta.
“Our government’s increased investment in student mental health programs is an important commitment to help students succeed. 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.”
“Improving the mental health and well-being of Albertans is a priority for our government. Supporting post-secondary students’ mental health is one of the actions outlined in Valuing Mental Health: Next Steps. It’s vital that we continue to work together to ensure post-secondary students have consistent, quality access to mental health and substance use treatment, services and programs wherever they are in the province.”
“This important funding will allow Keyano College to implement and expand on mental health initiatives we have been developing for some time. Our goal will be to develop a far-reaching wellness program focused on mental health.”
In June 2017, the province announced new funding that significantly increases and improves mental health supports for post-secondary students across Alberta. Over the past four years, Keyano College has received $160,000 from the Alberta Students’ Executive Council through a provincial government grant to support mental health initiatives.
“The mental health and well-being of the students here at Keyano is an integral part of their success. The student association will be working closely with the college to ensure that the money will be used to enhance the atmosphere at Keyano. We are very grateful for this funding and we are pleased to see mental health being prioritized.”
The 2016 National College Health Assessment survey conducted at 10 post-secondary institutions across the province showed high incidents of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. With good mental health supports in place, mental well-being is linked to academic achievement, learning, retention and future achievement.
To find out more about this funding and how the provincial government is improving post-secondary mental health and addictions supports for students, please visit Next Steps to Improve Post-Secondary Student Mental Health.