Alberta’s government has announced a $69-million investment to help schools respond to rising classroom complexity through the new Mental Health and Well-Being Grant. The funding, spread over three years, is aimed at strengthening mental health supports for students and easing pressures on teachers and school staff.
Officials say classrooms across the province are facing increasing challenges, with student mental health being a significant factor. Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the investment will equip schools with tools and resources to better support students and create healthier learning environments.
This funding, introduced through Budget 2025, will contribute to the work of the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee, which is exploring solutions to issues such as aggression, classroom complexity and mental health concerns. The province says improving mental health outcomes is essential to academic success, social development and student well-being.
Mental Health and Addiction Minister Rick Wilson noted that the grant will complement work already underway to expand CASA Classrooms—specialized classrooms designed for students with complex mental health needs. The province plans to establish up to 60 of these classrooms across Alberta by 2027, with 25 currently in operation.
School boards across Alberta will receive funding to expand access to school-based mental health programming, enhance staff training, and reduce pressure on educators. Sandra Palazzo, board chair of Edmonton Catholic Schools, said the investment will help school divisions respond more effectively to the diverse needs of students and support their overall development.
The Mental Health and Well-Being Grant builds on previous pilot projects that tested new approaches to school-based mental health support. School boards will be required to report annually on the use of the funding and its impact on students.
According to the province, the grant can be used for initiatives such as staff training in trauma-informed practices, hiring navigators to connect families with external services, bringing counsellors or wellness coaches into schools, using data to guide programming, and delivering social-emotional learning in classrooms. Up to 20% of the funding may go toward individualized supports, including specialized counselling, diagnostic assessments, clinical services, or access to psychologists and addictions counsellors.
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