Healthy Campus Alberta joins with The Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Division

Jul 12, 2017

“For too many post-secondary students mental illness continues to be a challenge…our government wants to make sure reliable supports are available to students right across our province.” – Brandy Payne

Post-secondary student mental well being is linked to academic achievement, learning, retention and future success. Today the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Alberta Division is pleased to welcome Healthy Campus Alberta (HCA), Alberta’s post-secondary community of practice as a named project within the CMHA Alberta Division family.

The CMHA Alberta Division Board of Directors has recognized HCA’s alignment and activity with the values and practices of CMHA on a provincial scope. The nine CMHA Alberta regional offices are all located in communities with post-secondary institutions. There are currently 26 post-secondary campuses in Alberta.

Yesterday at HCA’s Student Health Summit, the Government of Alberta announced the next steps to ensuring Alberta’s post-secondary institutions will be able to promote positive mental health and well-being, so students are prepared for success. The seven action items were informed by the work of the Post-Secondary Mental Health Advisory Panel, an advisory group which included students, faculty, the Government of Alberta and community-based supports including CMHA.

Included in the GOA’s announcement is a commitment of $8.9 million dollars overall to continue and advance mental health support on post-secondary campuses. Associate Minister of Health, Brandy Payne, and Minister of Advanced Education, Marlin Schmidt, announced the establishment of consistent funding for the Healthy Campus Alberta community of practice.Through this funding and six other action items, students will benefit from consistent approaches and a strengthened post-secondary mental health system.

The Canadian Mental Health Association is grateful to the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Ministry of Health for their investment in the mental health and well-being of Alberta’s students.

For more information please contact:

David Grauwiler
Executive Director
Phone: (780) 482-6577
Email: [email protected]