Yesterday (July 28th, 2022) Mike Ellis, the minister for Mental Health and addictions, announced an additional $87 million over three years that will go to school-based mental health and pediatric rehabilitation supports. $42 million of this will go to mental health support, and $45 million will go to pediatric rehabilitation support. This is in addition to the $110 million that was announced in June.

 

You can watch the announcement at:

The mental health supports will follow the model of comprehensive school-based supports that was piloted at Holy Trinity school. This is precisely the model that we have been advocating for. We chose this model because its holistic focus on mental health well-being, early intervention and prevention is what is needed to transform how we approach mental health.

 

 

Recognition

First, I would like to recognize our provincial government and Minister Ellis and Minister LaGrange for taking this important step forward.

I would also like to recognize all of the people who contributed to this victory. Important leadership was provided by our Mental Health Research Action Team and our Strategy Team. A significant contribution was made by those who wrote letters to our government, those who met with provincial ministers and administration and those who signed our petition. We want to recognize everyone who communicated about the need to address this issue and those who hosted conversations about the need to address mental health. We also want to recognize those that supported this work financially, including our members, Friends of the Alliance and the Calgary Foundation.

This win is a wonderful example of the difference we can make when we work together for the common good of our city and province.

Ryan Andersen,
Lead Organizer
Calgary Alliance for the Common Good