These mental health resources are intended to support students and families, but the resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, so please consult a physician or mental health professional for personalized care.
If you are not sure how to access mental health services in your community, for non-emergent support, you may contact your family doctor or your school counsellor for the next steps to accessing support in your area. If you are seeking mental health or addiction supports, we also invite you to consider calling the Access Mental Health number (403-943-1500) where an Alberta Health Services employee will complete a telephone intake with you to determine what referrals might be in your best interest. Additional community resources may be found on this page.
New resources will continue to be added to this page as we come across them.
Videos
Website Resources
Promotes mental health literacy by providing resources, tools, and education for understanding and managing mental health effectively.
Natural Support Simulation from the United Way
Provides hypothetical scenarios of youth coping with mental health challenges and suggested ways of supporting them. Goal: For parents, friends, and teachers/coaches to gain confidence in responding to mental health concerns.
Canadian Mental Health Association – Mental Health Resources
Provides informative resources on numerous mental health concerns (e.g., eating, bipolar, depressive, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, etc.).
Canadian Mental Health Association – Equipped Modules
Includes free online mental health education modules on a variety of topics for youth and their families.
Kids Mental Health – Tips for Parents
Provides numerous resources, including articles dedicated to helping parents cope with and support their child’s mental health.
Canadian Mental Health Association – BounceBack
Free skill-building program from the Canadian Mental Health Association designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry.
Videos
What causes panic attacks and how can you prevent them?
8 signs you might have social anxiety
The 5-4-3-2-1 Method: A Grounding Exercise to Manage Anxiety
Digital Magazines
Website Resources
Dr. Kirsten Neff: Self-Compassion Resources
Provides exercises and guided meditations on self-compassion for those experiencing anxiety, depression, and/or loss.
Free guided meditations, calming music, and stories.
The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health – Anxiety Resource
Provides an overview of anxiety, related conditions, and their treatments, as well as links to further resources and information. Includes a link to this pamphlet.
International OCD Foundation & Child Mind Institute: OCD-Related Disorders
Provides information and resources for children, families, and educators on OCD and the umbrella of OCD types and related disorders (i.e., trichotillomania (hair-pulling), hoard, body dysmorphic disorder, excoriation (skin-picking) etc.).
A Guidebook of Therapeutic Activities for Anxiety for Teens & Children
Introduces various types of therapeutic interventions and activities in a manner that is accessible to teens and children.
Videos
10 warning signs of depression in teens
10 coping skills for low mood and depression
We need to talk about shame – Brene Brown
Digital Magazine
Website Resources
The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health – Depression Resources
Provides numerous resources, questionnaires, and directories to more mental health resources for depression and anxiety.
A Guidebook of Therapeutic Activities for Depression for Teens & for Children
Introduces various types of therapeutic interventions and activities in a manner that is accessible to teens and children. See the separate links for teens and children aged 6 to 12.
Videos
5 Things About Grief No One Really Tells You
The Grieving Process: Coping with Death
The Invisible Suitcase: Understanding Grief and How to Manage It
Talking to Children Who Are Bereaved
Website Resources
Signs and symptoms of ongoing and traumatic grief in youth.
When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens
Information pamphlet from the National Cancer Institute with suggestions for how to support your teens as families learn of and share a diagnosis of cancer.
Videos
Trauma and the Brain: Learning vs. Survival
Website Resources
Alberta Family Wellness: Brain Story Certification
Provides an accessible overview of brain anatomy, function, and the effects of trauma and/or toxic stress on addiction/mental illness. Free, 20 hours. Modules of the course are classified by topic and do not have to be done in order.