The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Alberta’s Minister of Health, announced a $10 million investment through the Youth Mental Health Fund (YMHF) to expand Integrated Youth Services (IYS) across the province. IYS is an internationally recognized model designed to make it easier for young people and their families to access mental health and related supports in one place. These services include mental health care, primary care, substance use support, sexual health, and education or employment assistance, all available free of charge, in person or online, without requiring a referral. Across Canada, 115 IYS hubs are already operating, with around 50 more in development, providing timely support to youth without long waits.
The funding will allow IYS to expand to new locations in Alberta while strengthening existing services through peer programs, virtual supports, and enhanced connections between local hubs, provincial and territorial networks, and community organizations. This expansion aims to ensure youth can access care when and where they need it, providing a coordinated and accessible approach to health and social support.
Officials highlighted the transformative impact of IYS on youth access to care. Minister Michel emphasized that IYS hubs offer a single entry point to a wide range of supports, improving opportunities and outcomes for young Canadians. Alberta’s Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Rick Wilson, noted that programs like Kickstand provide youth-centered, barrier-free support, while MP Corey Hogan underlined that YMHF funding will help expand these services to more communities.
Kickstand, an IYS provider, welcomed the investment, which will enable the expansion of their Centres across Alberta and strengthen integrated service delivery. These Centres offer a friendly, inclusive, and culturally safe space where young people and their families can access mental health care, physical and sexual health services, peer support, and guidance on life transitions. Executive Director Katherine Hay emphasized that this funding will allow Kickstand to reach more youth when and where they need help, contributing to a healthier, more connected future for Alberta’s young population.
The Youth Mental Health Fund, launched in November 2024, is Canada’s largest investment in youth mental health, providing $500 million over five years. Agreements to scale IYS networks have now been signed in six jurisdictions. Kickstand offers free virtual and in-person services to youth aged 11–25 and their families, including counseling for mental health and substance use, routine physical and sexual health care, peer support, and skills development to aid the transition to adulthood.
