Stronger Together: Mental Health for Families, Friends, and Professionals
Supporting others with complex needs and challenges can be deeply rewarding but also emotionally and mentally taxing. Whether you’re a family member, friend, or professional, prioritizing your own mental health is essential to providing sustainable, compassionate support. Taking time for self-care, seeking support from others, and recognizing personal limits are key to preventing burnout and maintaining overall well-being. When those who support others care for themselves, they are better equipped to help effectively and empathetically.
Courses
Mental health training programs provide valuable knowledge and skills to support individuals experiencing mental health barriers. These programs offer educational resources, practical strategies, and guidance for families and professionals. By increasing awareness and promoting early intervention, mental health training helps create more supportive communities.
- Mental Health Commission of Canada offers a mental health training course designed to break down stigma, strengthen communication and improve resilience in the first responder community. Click here
- This course offers how to work in a support capacity in the treatment of people with mental health issues. Click Here
- This course help protect children’s mental health, offers to educators/ staff dealing with children or a parent, this will empower parents to help their child if they notice any symptoms of mental health issues. Click here
- This course consist of 3 recordings of a face-to-face panel which explored how to make parent teacher meetings more effective for parents of children with mental health conditions. Click here
- This course offers on learning how to reduce the stigma of mental illness by getting an in-depth understanding of mental health disorders. Click here
- This course, inspired by CMHA Calgary’s Community Helpers Program provides the skills and resources to support the people in your life as they face challenges. Click here
- Recovery College Edmonton offers courses on learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress, discuss stress management and burnout prevention, and identify and manage anxiety. Click here
AAISA COURSES
Stress Management and Self Care (Self-Paced)
A course to help instructors manage stress and practice self-care. It teaches tools and strategies to improve well-being, performance, and the learning environment while addressing the impact of stress on personal and professional life.
It’s Complicated – English & French (Self-Paced)
A course that provides the tools and strategies for supporting clients and their families through complex situations, including mental health and substance use concerns. It focuses on identifying the barriers for individuals and families facing complex situations and providing tools to address the barriers.
Having Difficult Conversations (Self-Paced)
A course that aims to support clients in identifying emotional hooks and the value of underpinning emotions and help them in managing their inner critic, internal biases, and evaluate emotional agility.
Services
Mental health support services in Alberta are available to assist individuals, families, and staff in navigating mental health challenges. These resources provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and connections to essential services, ensuring that both those struggling and those supporting them—whether family members or frontline staff—have access to the help they need. With confidential helplines and online tools, support is always within reach.
My Alberta Health Services Mental Help line and Distress Line
The MyHealth Alberta Emergency Phone Numbers provides quick access to important crisis and health support lines across Alberta. It connects individuals to mental health services, addiction support, and emergency assistance.
9-8-8 Crisis Help Line
The 9-8-8 Community Resources offers mental health and crisis support services across Alberta. It connects individuals to local organizations, helplines, and resources, ensuring access to immediate and ongoing mental health support.
Alberta 211
The Alberta 211 website helps individuals find mental health and community support services in Calgary and across the province. It provides a searchable database of resources, connecting people to crisis intervention, counseling, and essential social services available in their area.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation provides a variety of tools, information, and support services to promote mental well-being. It connects individuals, families, and communities to valuable mental health resources, helping them navigate challenges and access the support they need.
Canadian Mental Health Association (Alberta Division)
The CMHA Alberta “Help Right Now” connects people to helplines, emergency assistance, and community services, ensuring access to support for immediate mental health support and crisis resources.
Tools
Alberta offers a wide range of mental health resources to support individuals, families, caregivers, and those helping others. From government strategies to self-help tools, these resources provide guidance for both personal well-being and supporting others. Educational materials, wellness videos, and mental health strategies offer practical insights to navigate challenges, promote resilience, and improve overall mental health for both individuals and those in caregiving or support roles.