New CASA House for the north

Alberta’s government is partnering with CASA Mental Health to build a facility in Fort McMurray that will expand specialized mental health and addiction treatment for youth in grades 7 to 12. It will provide live-in and day treatment programs for youth who are experiencing complex mental health or addiction challenges but do not require care in an acute hospital or psychiatric setting.

The Fort McMurray CASA House is expected to start accepting referrals in late 2027, with a purpose-built design that will support quality care in an inclusive, trauma-informed environment. By bringing services closer to home, it will help reduce the need for families in the area to travel long distances to access care.

“Our government is committed to removing barriers to mental health supports for young Albertans across the province. This new CASA House in Fort McMurray will make a real difference for youth and their families by ensuring specialized, high-quality care is available closer to where they live.”

The new 20-bed facility will help about 80 youth and their families annually. Programming will be offered by a multi-disciplinary team, with a focus on strong family involvement. Supports include life skills development, on-site schooling and individual, group and family therapy. Clients receive services through a CASA House for about four months.

“CASA Mental Health is thankful that the Government of Alberta has recognized the urgent need for more mental health treatment for Alberta families, and has provided funding to make new CASA House facilities a reality across the province. As a mom and health care leader, I see first-hand how many young people and their families are struggling with significant mental illness, including our friends, our neighbours, our co-workers and often our own families. This growing need drives CASA to expand our circle of care so more medical and therapeutic treatment options are available closer to home, when and where they’re needed.”

“My child was experiencing such severe mental health struggles that they became a danger to themselves. After a long journey, Faer was admitted to CASA House at 13 years old. Faer is now 18 and thriving most days – but most importantly, surviving every day. I’m so pleased more young people and their families will have better lives because of a new CASA House facility.”

The new CASA House in Fort McMurray will expand the network of child and youth mental health supports in northern Alberta, complementing existing services such as Recovery Alberta supports, the CASA Mental Health Classroom at St. Gabriel School and community and digital options, including Kickstand Connect, Kids Help Phone, 211 Alberta and Counselling Alberta, helping ensure youth and families can access timely, appropriate support close to home and online.  

Alberta’s government continues to make record investments to build the Alberta Recovery Model – a comprehensive system of mental health and addiction care, helping Albertans at every step of their recovery journey and making the province a better place to call home.

Quick facts

• The Fort McMurray CASA House will be two stories, for a total size of more than 3,200 square metres. It is being built in southeast Fort McMurray in Quarry Ridge.
• CASA Mental Health is Alberta’s second-largest provider of community-based mental health services for children and youth, focusing on those whose needs go beyond what can be supported in school or community settings alone.
  • The organization served more than 11,500 clients and family members in 2025-26 with 97 percent of caregivers and 94 percent of clients reporting they were satisfied with CASA services.
• The province has invested about $75 million to establish four CASA Houses across the province, with additional funding to support their operation.
• One CASA House is operating in Alberta, located in Sherwood Park, with three more being established in Calgary, Fort McMurray and Medicine Hat.
  • Once all are fully operational, the four CASA Houses are anticipated to help more than 300 young Albertans annually.

Related information

• CASA Mental Health
• Fort McMurray CASA House

Related news

• New CASA House underway in Calgary (May 21, 2026)
• Quadrupling youth beds with CASA Mental Health (May 7, 2025)
• Record-breaking expansion of mental health services (May 10, 2024)
• Building a future of mental wellness (Jan. 16, 2024)
• Expanding mental health treatment for youth (Mar. 6, 2023)