Red Deer Native Friendship Society receives Youth Suicide Prevention Grant

Red Deer Native Friendship Society receives Youth Suicide Prevention Grant

Published 2:31 pm Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Red Deer Native Friendship Society was one of 14 recipients of a Youth Suicide Prevention Grant from the province.

Through the grant program, $2 million will support 14 community-based projects that help reduce youth suicide by strengthening prevention efforts, building connections and providing supports that are responsive to the needs of young people within their communities.

“Culture, language, family and community are powerful sources of strength for Indigenous youth,” said Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney, in a statement.

He said the grant program supports initiatives that reflect the priorities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit and help young people strengthen their identity, build confidence and pursue the future they want for themselves.

“Every young Albertan deserves to feel protected, connected and safe. Through this investment, we are empowering community-based organizations to provide culturally appropriate, accessible supports that reflect the diverse needs of youth across Alberta,” added Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton.

Grants range from $40,000 to $175,000, and the term of the grants run from Aug. 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027.

The province said the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program is part of a broader effort to support the mental health and well-being of vulnerable children and youth through prevention and early intervention in communities, schools and Family Resource Networks.

Since 2024, grant-funded projects have helped empower more than 3,200 youth across Alberta by strengthening relationships, building life skills and connecting them to local resources that support their well-being.