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Alberta.ca Account
Part of Addiction and mental health

Child and youth mental health

Supporting the mental health of children and youth across Alberta.

Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

  • 911 in an emergency
  • 211 Alberta for services and referrals to services in your community
  • Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868

Overview

The mental health and well-being of young Albertans is a top priority. The goal is to provide accessible mental health supports to children and youth no matter where they live in the province.

Youth’s mental health can sometimes be impacted by a number of different factors like language barriers, family breakdown, isolation, behavioural challenges, justice involvement, and physical health issues. Whether its dealing with social anxiety or eating disorders or even a significant mental illness or crisis, help is available. 

 

 

Recovery Alberta

Get help

We are here to help

All Albertans can access mental health and addiction services through Recovery Alberta – the provincial health agency dedicated to delivering these supports.  

For caregivers

Recovery Alberta also offers resources to caregivers to support children or youth who are experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.

Reach out anytime

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211 Alberta

By dialling 211, Albertans of all ages can access information on a wide range of resources, including mental health services, community programs and cultural supports. 

211 services are available in over 170 languages over the phone.

  • Call 2-1-1.
  • Text ‘INFO’ to 211.
  • Visit 211 website for online messaging and chat.
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Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is a 24/7, free service that offers professional counselling, information and referrals. They help more than just kids and can provide support to teens and young adults. 

Kids Help Phone services are available in 100 different languages over the phone. 

  • Call 1-800-668-6868.
  • Text ‘CONNECT’ to the Kids Help Phone at 686868.
  • Visit Kids Help Phone for online messaging and chat.

Youth friendly counselling

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Counselling Alberta

Professional mental health support is available through Counselling Alberta, which provides affordable, in-person and online counselling services without a waitlist throughout the province to Albertans of all ages. Call 1-833-827-4230 to register.

Register online

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Kickstand

Kickstand is a free and confidential integrated hub supporting youth aged 11–25 with services including mental health and addiction services, social services (employment and life skills programs), peer support, and Indigenous wellness supports. Services are available in person at Kickstand Centres and online via Kickstand Connect.

Community-based services

CASA Mental Health

As part of the Alberta Recovery Model, the province has partnered with CASA Mental Health to make record-breaking expansions to services for children and youth. CASA programs help young people get the care they need closer to home, while continuing school and staying connected to their communities.

Learn more

 

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  • CASA Mental Health Classrooms

    CASA Mental Health Classrooms are an innovative program that supports students in grades 4 to 12 who face complex mental health challenges. Located within schools, these classrooms provide individual therapy, group therapy and psychiatric care to support a student’s recovery while continuing their education. 

    Students must be referred to this program by their school. For more information on how referrals work, email [email protected].

  • CASA Houses

    CASA House provides a live-in program for youth in grades 7 to 12 that offers individual, group and family therapy, social and life skills training and on-site schooling. Parents and caregivers remain active participants in treatment, but the participating youth lives at a CASA facility. CASA staff work with youth and their parents or caregivers on goals to help the youth return home and continue their progress. 

    Intake to this program is supported by Recovery Alberta. Parents, caregivers, or a health professional can call 780-342-4415 for more information.

  • CASA specialty services

    Several other programs are offered by CASA Mental Health to help children and youth with their mental health, such as the Trauma Program, Core Program, Family Therapy Program, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) program, and Indigenous Services. Intake to CASA speciality services is supported by Recovery Alberta. 

    Parents, caregivers, or a health professional can call 780-342-4415 for more information.

The Alberta Recovery Model

Resources