Lethbridge students, advocates laud province's new investment into 211 Alberta
![211 Alberta / students / Lethbridge, Alta. Lethbridge College health promotions co-ordinator Lorie Harasem says this time of year can be especially difficult on students as the end of the semester and exam seasons loom.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2022/11/24/211-alberta---students---lethbridge--alta--1-6168019-1669339178651.jpg)
The government of Alberta will provide additional support to Albertans dealing with mental health and addictions issues.
The province will double its original $7.5-million investment to $15 million over the next three years.
“I think it’s great news. We know that 211 is basically a focal point where people can reach out and find out what resources exist for them in their community” said Lethbridge College health promotions co-ordinator Lorie Harasem.
211 Alberta allows users to dial 2-1-1 to connect with a hotline to provide them with resources to help deal with mental health, addiction and various other issues.
Harasem believes this will especially benefit students.
She notes this time of year can be especially difficult on students as the end of the semester and exam seasons loom.
“November typically on campuses across Canada is a higher time in the year for mental health reach-outs. And our counselling is very busy. We are definitely seeing that here and that’s consistent with what we're hearing nationally,” Harasem said.
The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union says they’ve heard the same thing.
Samantha Scott, vice-president external for the students’ union, says she’s noticed this semester in particular has been challenging for students.
“This school year, this semester specifically, a lot of students struggling with their mental health. For a lot of students, especially third-years. Despite the fact that they’ve completed two and a half years of university, this is their first time on campus,” Scott said.
The students’ union believes the additional funding is a good step, and will help to provide students with more support.
“One of our main asks is for the government to increase funding for mental health services at campuses,” Scott said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7033216.1726021317!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
FACT CHECK: A look at the false and misleading claims made during the Trump-Harris debate
In their first and perhaps only debate, former U.S. president Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in starkly different terms. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.
Singh not 'anxious' to launch election, says his top adviser
Jagmeet Singh's top adviser says the NDP leader is not particularly eager to trigger an election. But Anne McGrath, Singh's principal secretary, says there will be more volatility in Parliament and the odds of an early election have risen.
Quebec woman wins MAID case to die at home after legal fight with landlord
A woman who requested medical assistance in dying (MAID) won a major case in front of the Quebec rental board. She wanted to die at home, but her landlord didn't want her to.
Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage for the first — and possibly the last — time.
Mother of suspected Apalachee High School shooter apologizes to victims' families in open letter
The mother of the teenager suspected of killing four people during last week’s shooting at a Georgia high school has apologized to the victims' families in an open letter while insisting her son 'is not a monster.'
Some restaurants have increased their default tip options. Canadians think you should give this much
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
Liberals put up united front after fractious summer at Nanaimo retreat
Liberal MPs will have one last chance to tell their leader how they think their party can improve their political prospects before they return to Ottawa to face off against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the House of Commons.
Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
PwC plans to track employees' location while at work. Is this practice legal in Canada?
As PricewaterhouseCoopers plans to enforce its back-to-office policy by tracking employees in the U.K., one employment lawyer explains whether the practice is legal in Canada.