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Alberta’s new policy banning cellphones in classrooms from kindergarten to Grade 12 is a bold step toward securing our educational spaces. This measure, supported by most parents, teachers, and students, as documented by a Government of Alberta survey, ensures that digital distractions do not compromise our children’s learning and safety. This foundational initiative reflects a growing awareness of the need for focused learning environments, free from the interruptions of personal mobile devices and social media.

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However, this policy is just the starting point in a broader conversation about mental health in our educational systems. The digital age has brought unique challenges, including the impact of social media on our youth’s mental health. Authoritative sources like the U.S. Surgeon General and the Canadian Pediatric Society have highlighted the severe consequences of unchecked social media use, including depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying. These issues necessitate a proactive, comprehensive approach to mental health that extends beyond the ban and creates long-term resilience and mental health in the classroom.

The Government of Alberta has taken steps to implement and fund a new provincewide approach to mental health and addictions. Development continues on a system that will provide access to prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services provincewide. To support it, funding has just been announced that will create 761 additional seats to train mental health professionals at Alberta post-secondaries over the next three years.

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Dedicated programming to build resilience and mental health for young Albertans, however, remains much more of a patchwork. Subject to where they live, Alberta’s kids may participate in programs of some kind delivered via their classroom or a community organization. Or they may not.  We lack a provincewide approach aiming at building the capacity of all Alberta kids and the resources and supports for school districts and local organizations to put it into action. Alberta is forging ahead to position itself as a beacon in mental health and addiction leadership. Yet, when it comes to our most valuable resource — our young people, the future leaders and workforce of Alberta — we still have significant strides to make.

Ontario’s “School Mental Health Strategy” aimed at every student in that province provides an example that Alberta can build and improve upon. Through programming, training resources and on-the-ground supports (including a provincial implementation team and a Mental Health Leader working with Superintendents in every district), local school leaders are equipped to make decisions and take action while simultaneously improving the consistency and quality of mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention for all students across Ontario.

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Putting in place a provincial approach and toolkit should include providing school authorities with access to programs proven to build the resilience and capacity of Alberta kids. The HEROES® programs, for example, reached over 10,000 young Albertans in just the last year and are designed to empower not only students but also educators and parents, fostering a community-wide commitment to mental health. By incorporating training on social media literacy and resilience skills, Heroes addresses the root causes of mental health issues in a structured, continuous manner.

The introduction of the cellphone ban is commendable, yet it is only one step. As we acknowledge and support this important move by the Government of Alberta, we also recognize the need for a more extensive strategy that includes programs like Heroes. These programs are not just supplementary; they are essential components of a complete approach to student well-being.

We urge policymakers, community leaders and educators to support the implementation of comprehensive mental health strategies across all schools, not just to treat the issues as they arise, but to instill preventative evidence-based solutions through every age and stage of our education system. By doing so, we can ensure that our approach to education not only prioritizes academic success but also the mental and emotional health of every student, paving the way for a healthier, more resilient Alberta.

Chris Primeau is CEO of the Impact Society. 

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