The provincial government has announced funding for mental health in the region.
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Jason Luan made the announcement Friday in Calgary.
Of the $3-million commitment, $400,000 over three years will go towards the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) Recovery College Wood Buffalo.
Executive Director of CMHA Wood Buffalo, Christine Savage, said funding will be used to implement the currently available six courses, but she hopes to get up to 50.
“Not everyone needs that clinical approach. We are a compliment to that clinical approach.”
The Recovery College model, which was first introduced in Calgary, offers courses where people in recovery share what has worked for them when it comes to mental health, addiction or caring for a loved one.
Provincial Lead of the college, Lisa Munroe explained that “experts in wisdom” are certified mentors under the national guideline of peer support.
“They take their own lived experience and they learn from this training and mentorship; how to turn that experience into learning for somebody else that’s struggling with mental health or addictions.”
Savage explained that the courses are developed around the needs of community members who are also struggling, but that human connection is the biggest outcome of the courses.
“It gives them self esteem. It normalizes mental health for them. It breaks down the barriers and gives them the confidence to go out there and help others.”
The college has been offering free courses, which are open to everyone, since January at the UNIFOR Building on MacDonald Ave.
