A major part of this support is the new youth mental health facility, CASA House, being built in Fort McMurray, Alta., which will give young people in the remote region access to care closer to home.
Scheduled for opening in 2027, CASA House will offer intensive care for children and teens. It will support 57 live-in youth and 24 day-program participants each year. Youth, supported by a multi-disciplinary team, take part in four months of live-in care or attend the day program for one school semester.
“Every child deserves access to timely mental health care close to home,” says Bonnie Blakley, chief executive officer, CASA Mental Health. “This investment, the largest community contribution in our history, will help more young people get the support they need closer to where they live, learn and play.”
For many families in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, youth mental health treatment currently means travelling nearly five hours each way to the Edmonton area. The new centre will help reduce eight to 18-month wait times for intensive youth mental health treatment across Alberta.
“Supporting youth mental health strengthens entire communities,” says Peter Zebedee, executive vice-president, Upstream. “Partnering with CASA Mental Health helps ensure young people get care when and where they need it most.”
Suncor’s investment also supports CASA’s new Calgary House and programming in Edmonton. Together, these contributions help strengthen a province-wide network of youth mental health care and create brighter paths forward for young people and families across Alberta.
