Albertans can now access mental health and addiction support by calling 211.
The government announced last week 211 Alberta is now the main access point for mental health and addiction services in Alberta.
“Finding mental health and addiction support shouldn’t be confusing or be difficult to navigate,” Mental Health and Addiction Minister Rick Wilson said in a news release. “With 211 Alberta as the province-wide number to call, people have a clear place to start. We want to make sure help is easy to find when it matters most.”
Albertans can call, text or chat on-line with 211 Alberta community navigators and get connected to mental health and addiction supports, as well as community and social services, any time and anywhere in the province.
Individuals who are feeling overwhelmed or need help right away are connected to immediate, confidential support.
Previously, people faced navigating multiple phone numbers and entry points to access mental health and addiction services.
For many Albertans, mental health and addiction challenges are closely connected to housing, income, employment and family needs.
Through 211 Alberta, people can connect with a variety of mental health and addiction supports, including:
- Clinical services offered by Recovery Alberta.
- Support and guidance from qualified mental health and addiction professionals.
- Peer support services for those who need non-clinical emotional support.
- Immediate crisis support (988 still continues to provide suicide crisis support).
- Affordable professional counselling through Counselling Alberta.
211 Alberta also connects people to many other community and social resources, including:
- Housing, employment, financial and food or basic needs, and more.
- Specialized support for children and youth, families and Indigenous communities.
211 Alberta is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 240 languages.
The service is free and confidential.
In Alberta, 211 service was first established in Edmonton in 2004 and has continued to evolve, expanding province-wide and launching as 211 Alberta in 2020.
From Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025, 211 Alberta responded to more than 121,000 total interactions including calls, texts and on-line chats.
