Alberta is the only province in Canada to have a 
Provincial Mental Health Plan, a blueprint for consistent, integrated delivery of mental health services and policies across the province. In addition, the health regions have comprehensive mental health plans aligned with the provincial plan that outlines what mental health services and care must be delivered.
The plan identifies key priorities where action is needed to improve access to a full range of mental health services and supports for all Albertans:
- Support and Treatment – providing assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and community support for individuals and families.
- Risk Reduction – reducing the risk of mental illness and optimizing mental health by decreasing factors that negatively affect peoples’ well-being. These include physical illness, poverty, abuse or chronic neglect, violence, addictions, trauma or adverse social conditions.
- Capacity Building – identifying, maintaining and strengthening factors that promote mental health and well-being across government, in communities and with individuals and their families.
The Alberta Mental Health Board and its partners are committed to providing the best treatment options and research in mental health and great progress has been made. However, there are challenges in meeting this goal:
The stigma attached to mental illness – A lack of acceptance and fear of the disease negatively affects individuals, families and communities. It prevents people from talking about it, like they can about physical diseases such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease.
Fear of talking about mental illness prevents many people from seeking treatment – treatment options that are available to help them.
Economic and social factors – Alberta’s strong and vibrant economy has attracted newcomers and immigrants to the province. In spite of this prosperity, many people face loneliness and isolation as a result of their moves because they left their social supports behind. In addition, there is the added stress of keeping up in a fast-paced economy. This can cause depression and anxiety, as well as other mental health problems.
Mental health profile – Mental health is lagging far behind other health conditions in terms of research, resources and knowledge. Yet depression surpasses heart disease as the leading cause of disability, mental health problems in the workplace are on the rise, and mental illness is estimated to cost the Canadian economy over $33 billion annually.