Suncor invests $5.5 million to expand youth mental health care, including new Fort McMurray facility

CASA Mental Health facility rendering

Suncor Energy is investing $5.5 million to expand youth mental health services in Alberta, including support for a new treatment facility being built in Fort McMurray.

The funding will support programs run by CASA Mental Health, a non-profit organization that provides specialized treatment for children, youth and families.

Part of the investment will go toward CASA House in Fort McMurray, a youth mental health facility expected to open in 2027. The centre will provide intensive treatment for children and teenagers and is expected to support 57 youth annually in a residential program along with 24 participants in a day-treatment program.

Residential care at the facility will run for about four months, while the day program will operate over one school semester with support from a multidisciplinary care team.

“For many families in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, youth mental health treatment currently means travelling nearly five hours each way to the Edmonton area,” said Bonnie Blakley, chief executive officer of CASA Mental Health.

“Every child deserves access to timely mental health care close to home.”

CASA says the new facility is expected to help reduce wait times for intensive youth mental health treatment across Alberta, which can range from eight to 18 months.

Suncor’s investment will also support CASA programming in Calgary and Edmonton as part of efforts to expand youth mental health services across the province.

“Supporting youth mental health strengthens entire communities,” said Peter Zebedee, Suncor’s executive vice-president of upstream. “Partnering with CASA Mental Health helps ensure young people get care when and where they need it most.”