United Way and Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation partner on Planet Youth Calgary
Youth in Calgary are facing more mental health challenges than ever before—and they need support early and often.
That’s why United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way) and Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation (ACHF) have joined forces to support Planet Youth Calgary, a community-driven initiative grounded in prevention and powered by collaboration.
Planet Youth Calgary is rooted in an evidence-based model that originated in Iceland more than 20 years ago. The approach uses local data and community engagement to identify and implement upstream solutions that help prevent substance use and improve overall youth mental health.
United Way is leading the local initiative. ACHF’s partnership will support research led by the University of Calgary’s Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education—setting the stage for deeper insights and greater impact for Calgary’s youth.
“We know that young people aged 15-24 are more likely to experience substance misuse and mental health disorders than any other age group,” says Karen Young, President and CEO of United Way of Calgary and Area. “This new partnership with Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation builds on the long-standing commitment of each organization to child and youth well-being, alongside Planet Youth community delivery partners Miskanawah, Trellis Society and YMCA Calgary. It reflects a shared focus on prevention, research and evidence-based solutions.”
Four communities across Calgary have already begun forming local coalitions—one in each quadrant of the city. These coalitions bring together schools, parents, caregivers, youth and service providers to co-create strategies tailored to each community’s unique needs.
ACHF’s partnership will further support a future where young people in Calgary are equipped with the support, connections and opportunities they need to thrive.
“Our organizations share a belief in the power of prevention,” says Saifa Koonar, President and CEO of Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Together, with our generous donors, we are working to build a healthier future by addressing the root causes of youth mental health challenges and substance use.”
“Understanding the realities of substance use among youth demands insight into the social environments in which these behaviours occur,” says Dr. Paul Arnold, Director of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education. “We are very grateful for the support we are receiving, which will allow us to generate meaningful, community-driven insights that can inform early interventions.”
“Planet Youth Calgary is about listening to what youth, families and communities are telling us—and acting on those insights together,” says Monique Blough, Director of Children and Youth Strategies at United Way. “By aligning research, community insights and lived experience, we’re changing how we think about prevention. This is a shared investment in our city’s future, creating the conditions for young people to thrive, not just today, but for generations to come.”
Planet Youth Calgary is more than an initiative—it’s a movement grounded in data, powered by collaboration and driven by hope. With community at its core, it’s already helping to build a stronger, more connected future for Calgary’s children and youth. Learn more about Planet Youth Calgary at planetyouthcalgary.ca.