This release was issued under a previous government.

New centre to support children’s mental health

Minister Hoffman announces the new Children and Adolescent Mental Health Centre with MLA Shepherd, Dr. Verna Yiu, Annie Belley and Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation representatives including Mike House.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, to be built on AHS-owned land immediately east of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, will include:

  • child and adolescent crisis services, including walk-in and urgent clinics
  • 101 inpatient beds
  • specialized outpatient clinics
  • a mobile response team
  • intensive school-based treatment, with school programming on site
  • mental health programs
  • therapeutic recreational programs
  • a family resource centre

“When a child or teen is struggling with a mental health crisis or needs specialized emotional supports, they need help as quickly as possible. Our government has been clear about our commitment to mental health and we are proud to partner with the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation on this project. I am proud to be part of a government that is fighting for children, youth and their families.”

Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Health

“Being diagnosed bipolar as a teen was, weirdly, a relief, because it allowed me to get the help that I needed. The staff and doctors who cared for me during my time in hospital provided me tools without which I wouldn't have been able to get my life back on track. This new facility is so exciting because it will not only make it easier for mental health care practitioners to provide help and for patients to access services, it will act as physical, observable proof that mental health is finally being paid the attention it deserves.”

Annie Belley, Albertan with lived experience

The province is investing $200 million for the new centre. The Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation is committing $26 million and will receive the naming rights for the centre in recognition of that contribution.

“Since 2007, we’ve invested millions in pediatric mental health programs at the Stollery and more than $4 million in pediatric mental health research at the University of Alberta. More than 90 per cent of donors and non-donors we surveyed in northern Alberta tell us that mental health is a top priority for them and their families. That’s why we’re building on our long-term commitment to children’s mental health by raising $26 million over five years for specialized facilities and family-centred care programs at the new child and youth addiction and mental health centre in Edmonton that will bear the Stollery name.”

Mike House, president and CEO, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation

“Alberta Health Services is grateful to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation for its extraordinary commitment to child and adolescent mental health in Edmonton and northern Alberta. This support will have a transformational and long-lasting impact on patients and families who will benefit from the care and services provided in this facility.”

Dr. Verna Yiu, president and CEO, AHS

The Alberta government continues to improve mental health services following the Valuing Mental Health review. The new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre directly addresses supports for children, youth and families, one of the priority populations identified in the review.

The design phase of the project is expected to get underway in the next few months. Construction of the centre is slated to begin in spring 2021 and be complete in 2024. The project is expected to create between 200 and 250 construction jobs.