The Government of Alberta is committed to preventing youth suicide and improving the health and well-being of young people through the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
Targeted grant funding will be used to support evidence-informed initiatives that align with one or more of the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program Guidelines outcome areas, target priority youth populations at increased risk of suicide, and either:
- expand the capacity of existing initiatives to address identified suicide prevention gaps and community needs
- support the development and piloting of new, innovative initiatives to address identified suicide prevention gaps and community needs
The Youth Suicide Prevention Program Guidelines note that sub-populations are at an increased risk of suicide. Priority youth populations at increased risk include:
- Indigenous youth
- sexual and gender diverse youth
- youth experiencing homelessness
- youth in government care or transitioning out of care
- youth with mental health and addiction challenges
- recent immigrant and refugee youth
Youth suicides are unimaginable losses with long-lasting impacts on their loved ones and communities. To ensure those struggling have confidence that help is always available when they need it, Alberta’s government is increasing funding for the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program by $1 million. This brings total investment to more than $4 million over the next two years.
A province-wide initiative, this program focuses on helping youth populations at increased risk and enhancing crucial community and suicide prevention supports. Grant funding will be distributed equitably to selected community organizations across the province that work to expand the capacity of existing suicide-prevention initiatives, or pilot new, innovative initiatives that address identified suicide-prevention gaps and unique community needs.
Since the grant launched in 2022, approximately 927 youth have been directly supported through the grant program, and more than 1,100 individuals have been provided with information and connected to mental health resources to support youth in their community.
The renewal of the program builds on the ongoing work the government is doing to implement evidence-based interventions that address mental health and addictions and provide youth with hope of a better future.
Applications will open on March 4 and be issued on two-year terms starting July 1, 2024. The application deadline is April 15, 2024.
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