With many Alberta students in all grades continuing to face significant mental health challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, news that the province is extending a support pilot program is welcome.
The Smith government recently announced that the Mental Health in Schools Pilot (MHSP) program will be extended to the 2024-25 school year, with $6.7 million being allocated to support in-school mental health supports for more than 300,000 students.
While every student has their own individual challenges, it is important that the province and its stakeholder partners work together in support of the school community-at-large.
First launched in 2022, the MHSP focuses on improving the delivery of mental health supports and services for students and providing tools, training and resources for the school community, with the goal of improving student mental health outcomes, said Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.
With the $6.7-million investment, Alberta’s government is funding over $50 million in mental health in school pilot projects, he noted.
“With our continued support for student mental health, school authorities, mental health service providers and other organizations are taking collaborative and innovative approaches to support the well-being of students,” he said.
The 43,000 member Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) says while extending the pilot project for another year is encouraging, it remains vital that long-term programs and supports become part of the system going forward, including in rural school divisions like those in this district.
In response to the extension of the pilot, ATA president Jason Schilling said, “I am encouraged to see the government recognizes the importance of providing mental health support for our students.
“The decision to extend the program is welcome news, but it still falls short of proving the public education system with the reliable funding it needs in this area.”
Alberta Education should make funding of mental health supports for students a permanent part of the budgeting cycle, he said.
Nevertheless, the province and its stakeholder partners should be applauded for their ongoing support of student mental health.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
