The province will provide $240,000 a year for three years to Keyano College in support of student mental health on campus. The funding is part of $25.8 million the government is investing to improve mental health resources for post-secondary students at institutions 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,” said Minister of Advanced Education, Marlin Schmidt.
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.
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,” said Associate Minister of Health, Brandy Payne.
The funding will allow Keyano College to expand their current mental health initiatives. The Students Association of Keyano College will be playing a role to ensure the money will go towards appropriate mental health programs.
