Why Therapy Should Be Covered by Alberta Health Care: Mental Health Deserves Equal Treatment

In Alberta—and across Canada—millions of people struggle silently with their mental health. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and trauma are just a few of the invisible battles many fight every single day. While we praise our universal health care system, there’s still a glaring gap that affects countless Albertans: therapy isn’t covered by Alberta Health Care.

Let’s be honest—if you break a bone, you go to the hospital and get it fixed. But when your mind breaks? You're often left to deal with it alone, unless you can afford to pay out of pocket. And that’s not okay.

Mental Health Is Health. Period.

We’ve come a long way in reducing the stigma around mental illness, but the system hasn’t caught up. Alberta Health Care covers visits to doctors, specialists, and emergency services—but not the long-term therapy many people need to actually heal.

Imagine telling someone with cancer that they can only see an oncologist if they pay privately. It sounds absurd—but that’s exactly what we do to people with mental health disorders.

The Cost of Therapy in Alberta

On average, a therapy session in Alberta costs between $150 and $200 per hour. Most people need multiple sessions over several months—or even years—to start feeling real improvement. For many Albertans, that cost is simply not realistic. It’s heartbreaking to think that so many suffer in silence because they can’t afford help.

While some workplaces offer limited Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), these typically cap out at 3–6 sessions—barely enough to scratch the surface.

Mental Health Doesn’t Discriminate—But Access to Help Does

Mental illness can affect anyone—regardless of age, race, gender, or income. But access to therapy? That’s a different story. Those who can afford help get better. Those who can’t, often get worse.

This creates a dangerous cycle. Without proper care, mental health issues can lead to:

• Increased ER visits

• Lost productivity and income

• Substance abuse

• Family breakdowns

• Suicide

And the harsh reality? It ends up costing the system more in the long run.

The Case for Change

Investing in publicly funded therapy services isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s economically smart. Studies consistently show that every dollar spent on mental health care returns $4–$10 in saved costs for hospitals, courts, and social services.

Providing access to licensed therapists, psychologists, and counsellors under Alberta Health Care would:

• Reduce the burden on emergency rooms

• Help people recover faster

• Keep families together

• Save lives

It’s Time to Treat Mental Health Like Physical Health

At Evolve Supply Co., we know firsthand how important therapy is. It's why we donate 20% of our profits to help cover therapy costs for those who can’t afford it. But we believe it shouldn't be up to businesses and nonprofits to fill the gap. It’s time for Alberta Health Care to evolve, too.

What You Can Do

If you believe therapy should be accessible to everyone, here’s how you can help:

• Talk to your MLA and advocate for change

• Sign petitions calling for expanded mental health coverage

• Support local initiatives that fund therapy access

• Share your story—because when we speak up, we break the silence

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Because no one should have to choose between getting help or paying rent.

🖤 At Evolve, we’re more than a brand. We’re a movement. We believe in healing, hope, and a future where therapy is a right—not a privilege.