Programs and Services

The Canadian Mental Health Association offers a variety of different programs and services.

Addiction Crisis Program

This program is responsible for responding to individuals who are experiencing crisis due to addiction, stabilizing the individual's addiction through streamlined access to community resource's and reducing reliance on emergency services. 

Hope and Healing Support Group

Losing a loved one to suicide can often leave us feeling confused, angry and alone. This 9-week support group will provide you with an opportunity to explore and share your feelings with others who have also experienced a loss due to suicide. Call Breanne at 403-504-1811 ext. 102 for dates and times.

"I cannot tell you how nervous, scared... well, I'm not exactly sure what the emotion was... to go to After Suicide Support group. I knew it was time to talk to people that understood what I was going through but was so apprehensive. Grief is difficult enough, but the emotions and issues stemming from a suicide are difficult to even express. Attending this group, connecting with both the facilitators and the other participants completely changed my healing. I recommend this group for anyone who has, unfortunately, been affected by suicide. It provides you with insight and tools to help heal but most of all the personal connections and stories helped me to feel normal again." - Hope & Healing Group Member

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Mental Health Education Program

Part of CMHA Alberta Southeast Region’s mandate includes the prevention of mental illness and the promotion of mental health. One of the ways CMHA does this is through education & support. This includes:

Whispers of Wellness (WOW) Support Group

Whispers of Wellness (WOW) is a group for people living with mental health issues. This is an open group, which means you can join at any time. WOW provides opportunities to learn more about coping with mental health issues while meeting people who have similar experiences.

CMHA Educators facilitate this peer support group every Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30 pm in the CMHA office located at #204, 1865 Dunmore Rd SE. No registration required.

For more information call 504-1811 or email

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Caregiver Connections Support Group

The Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) drop-in peer-to-peer family support group is for parents and caregivers of children or young adults experiencing a mental health concern or addiction.This program offers compassionate support from a peer, who has "been there" as well as a CMHA staff member. Specific information and resources will be shared which will assist you in your care-giving while maintaining your own mental health.

Every Thursday from 3pm-5pm at The Medicine Hat Public Library. No registration required. Cost: FREE. For more information, contact Kallyn Heidinger at 403-504-1811 ext 115.

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Regional Suicide Prevention Program

This program develops, coordinates, monitors, and implements suicide prevention services across Southeastern Alberta. This program provides:

Suicide Loss Online Resources: 

Suicide Thoughts/Concern/Attempt Online Resource:

If you are in crisis contact the Distress Centre at 1-800-784-2433.

Community Helpers Program

In every community there are people to whom others naturally turn when they need help. These “community helpers” can be anyone associated with youth, including friends, team-mates, coaches, neighbors, teachers, clergy, etc. The Community Helpers Program identifies these helpers and offers free training to strengthen their natural abilities. 

The Community Helpers Program is a suicide prevention program that is targeted for youth and adults ages 12 and over. It can be delivered in both school and community settings. The training includes 9 core modules, as well as, 11 other non-core modules. The core modules include; 

  1. Getting to Know Each Other & the Program / Who's a Community Helper?
  2. Ethics of Helping / Labelling / Trust & Teamwork
  3. Earache/Psychahe: Mental Health Common Language / Knowing When People Need Help
  4. The Helping Skill
  5. The Self-Helping Skill
  6. Limits & Strategies
  7. Dealing with Crisis Situations / Helping Resources
  8. Suicide & Depression (Part 1 & 2)
  9. Suicide & Depression (Part 3)

The non-core modules available provide information on substance abuse; sex, STD's & pregnancy; relationships & social issues; enabling & handling stress; dealing with violence/abuse & conflict resolution; education/learning; racism; self-image issues; dealing with loss; career development; and changing norms. Various community agencies are invited in to educate on some of these topics. 

For more information on this program contact Kallyn at 403-504-1811 ext 115

Financial Administration Program

The Financial Administration Program helps people learn the skills required to manage personal finances. This includes learning how to develop and stick to a budget. Participants also learn how to reduce debt and pay bills on time. This is done through group learning sessions and/or individual appointments. For more information contact Amy at 403-504-1811 ext. 101

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Systems Navigation Program

Designed to provide help and advocacy for individuals who are having difficulty accessing the services they need, this program provides information and referral to community resources in southeastern Alberta. For more info call 504-1811 or email aser@cmha-aser.ca

Elder Abuse Prevention Program

This program is funded by Aging Well in Community Grant and continues the work of the Coordinated Community Response committee with key stakeholders of our community to build a Response to Elder Abuse. This program also provides the presentation "It's Not Right Family Friends and Neighbors" (It's NRFFN). This is a best practices bystander training which addresses Elder Abuse and Ageism. For more information or to book presentations contact Colleen at 403-504-1811 ext. 110.

Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a congregate living community that provides 24 hour/day support to vulnerable individuals in the community. PSH is a long-term, community-based housing that has supportive services for individuals that requiring a higher level of support. This type of supportive housing enables individuals in the program to live as independently as possible in a permanent setting.

CMHA Alberta Southeast Region’s PSH program employs 1 Program Manager, 1 Team Leader, 5 Intensive Case Managers and multiple support staff members who provide case management and support to individuals participating in the program.

Programs & Services Brochure

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Groups Catalogue Brochure

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For more information:

For resources and more information about mental health and mental illness, visit the CMHA National website.