Whisper
September 11th, 2006, 06:23 PM
The province is putting $39 million into programs aimed at improving mental health resources for young Albertans.
Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Iris Evans announced the new funding in Edmonton Monday, saying she hopes to make the province Canada's leader in dealing with mental health problems.
Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, said Ray Block, president of the Alberta Mental Health Board.
"If we can recognize those early issues, we can treat them and hopefully they'll have a life of mental wellness instead of mental illness," he said.
The $39 million will be spent over three years on five projects that deal with suicide prevention and the mental health needs of young people.
Last week, the Alberta Mental Health Board announced a provincial strategy meant to reduce the number of suicides in the province by 20 per cent over the next decade.
Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Iris Evans announced the new funding in Edmonton Monday, saying she hopes to make the province Canada's leader in dealing with mental health problems.
Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, said Ray Block, president of the Alberta Mental Health Board.
"If we can recognize those early issues, we can treat them and hopefully they'll have a life of mental wellness instead of mental illness," he said.
The $39 million will be spent over three years on five projects that deal with suicide prevention and the mental health needs of young people.
Last week, the Alberta Mental Health Board announced a provincial strategy meant to reduce the number of suicides in the province by 20 per cent over the next decade.