Team Chase
The government of Alberta announced its plans to expand the CASA Mental Health Classroom project to support students requiring additional support due to their conditions.
At a press conference held at Bev Facey Community High, Minister Williams said the provincial government would invest $70 million over the next three years in building 60 designated classrooms as part of the Alberta Recovery Model.
They will serve about 140 communities throughout Alberta and 1,500 students a year.
The project is in partnership with CASA Mental Health, a Sherwood Park-based foundation that supports children, adolescents and families through the struggles of mental health.
Before the announcement, eight CASA classrooms were in operation. The latest rollout will include nine additional ones, which will be operational this semester.
With the announcement, the government of Alberta has reached about one-third of its goal.
The students can remain engaged with the school and access specialized programming without disrupting their education.
Each classroom will support 12 students between Grades 4 and 12. The program offers September and February intake. Students can utilize the services for one semester.
Bev Facey Community High is the second Elk Island public school to have a new CASA classroom opening. Fort Saskatchewan Elementary was the first – it opened in September 2023.
Williams said services like those were crucial to the long-term success and well-being of children and youth who have been facing some challenges with their mental health.
The minister added that every child deserved to know that help was available and that they could recover and live fulfilling lives.
Alicia Long’s daughter was having a difficult time coping with her emotional stress.
She added that attending a CASA mental health classroom equipped her with multiple skills, the ability to differentiate external and internal problems, the confidence to work through the fears and anxiety that held her back and a safe environment to practice socially acceptable interactions.
She gained two levels of reading and math proficiency. The dramatic improvement in her schoolwork and attempting challenging topics resulted in tremendous confidence.
Besides announcing more CASA classrooms, the government of Alberta has extended their Mental Health in Schools Pilot Program through the 2024-25 school year.
The grant-based program supports school divisions in implementing their mental health programs.
