MHC among institutions splitting $10 million to train more mental health professionals

By Anna Smith
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The province of Alberta is investing $10 million over three years to create more spaces to train mental health professionals.

The investment will go toward the creation of 761 new seats in programs dedicated to in-demand mental health professions. Impacted programs include psychiatric nursing, psychology, social work, child and youth care and addiction counselling. Fifty of these seats will be at Medicine Hat College.

“We are committed to ensuring that every Albertan has access to the care they need, where they need it. This investment will bridge gaps in mental health care and give more post-secondary institutions the tools they need to provide critical services and support communities across our province,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education.

The province says this new grant program, the Mental Health Professions Enrolment Expansion grant program, is a vital part of creating more professionals for in-demand areas, in hopes of better meeting the needs of communities throughout the province.

“With a growing need for mental health services, this seat expansion will benefit families across the province,” said Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. “No matter what part of Alberta someone calls home, they deserve access to consistent, high quality mental health care. Our government is proud to be working with post-secondary institutions, making sure services are available to Albertans in need.”