The Government of Alberta is providing more than $5 million in community grants to support people in recovery from mental health and addiction challenges.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government announced it would allocated $53 million to support Albertans for the same reason. Of this funding, $25 million was dedicated to the Mental Health and Addiction COVID-19 Community Funding Grant Program, which was ultimately allocated to more than 200 organizations throughout the province.
On Friday, the Government of Alberta announced it has allocated an additional $5 million to extend certain grants that are having a meaningful impact in their community.
Some of these organizations include Catholic Social Services, Métis Nation of Alberta and the Suicide Prevention Resource Centre.
Overall, this grant funding will help 27 community organizations across the province provide recovery-oriented care at the community level, the government said in a statement.
Of this $5 million, $3 million will help Albertans recovering from a range of addiction and mental health challenges, from social isolation and grief to trauma and eating disorders.
An additional $1.5 million will support organizations offering mental health and wellness supports for children and youth. Finally, more than $500,000 will help First Nations and Métis communities to support culturally appropriate programs and services.
“Our focus when it comes to mental health and addiction is to ensure that every Albertan has every opportunity to improve their lives and recover from the challenges they face,” said Mike Ellis, associate minister of health and addictions.
“This new grant funding of $5 million will help more Albertans improve their mental wellness, engage positively with their communities, and connect with family.”
Lori Sigurdson, Alberta NDP mental health and addictions critic, said ensuring Albertans have access to addiction and recovery support is a vital priority for all Albertans, “but more must be done.”
“The organizations receiving funding today do amazing work but we also know social agencies across Alberta are fighting an uphill battle due to the UCP’s cuts to critical programs, including affordable housing, income support, rental supplements, and more,” said Sigurdson.
“The opioid crisis has deepened with too many Albertans dying from preventable drug poisonings every day. Yet, the UCP government has reduced access to harm reduction services, preventing vulnerable Albertans from receiving life-saving care and further increasing pressure on emergency services and other frontline responders.”
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