At CanFASD, we were encouraged to view the release of “What We Heard: Access to Mental Health Services and Resources for Persons with Disabilities” by Alberta’s Advocate for Persons with Disabilities. This timely and thoughtful report shares insights directly from people with disabilities, caregivers, and service providers across the province about their experiences accessing mental health services.
What the report found
The report is based on extensive consultation from online surveys and virtual engagement sessions involving nearly 180 Albertans. This engagement included some members of the CanFASD team. The report specifically highlights serious systemic barriers, including:
Long waitlists
Many respondents described extensive delays for services – sometimes over a year. For some, these waits ended in being denied care altogether because their needs were deemed “too complex.”
Unaffordable care
Private mental health care costs (about $220/hour) were out of reach for most. Free services were often capped, virtual-only, or inaccessible due to waitlists.
“Too Complex” to serve
Denial of service was common when providers felt unprepared to support people with disabilities. While not stated directly, we know this denial of care is a challenge for the FASD community, who are often misunderstood or fall between systems because of the unique complexity of this disability.
Barriers in rural areas
Rural residents face compounded challenges: fewer providers, longer travel times, limited transportation, and unreliable internet for telehealth.
System complexity
The system was described as difficult to navigate, especially for people with cognitive or neurodevelopmental disabilities, who often need support to find or understand services.
Lack of training
Many providers lack knowledge of disabilities, trauma, or person-centered care, – leading to inadequate or even harmful service experiences.
Service gaps
In some areas, no appropriate services exist – especially for adults with FASD, autism, cognitive or developmental disabilities, and those facing co-occurring addictions.
Recommendations
The Advocate made several key recommendations to better support people with disabilities in the context of mental health:
- Creating a new, disability-informed mental health policy framework
- Expanding access to low-cost, long-term, and trauma-informed care
- Providing training for mental health professionals in disability-inclusive practices
- Improving access in rural and remote areas
- Generating public education and awareness to reduce stigma
- Fostering more involvement of people with disabilities in system design and decision-making
Why this matters for the FASD community
The report powerfully confirms what many in the FASD community already know: that mental health systems are often unprepared – and sometimes unwilling – to meet the needs of individuals with complex neurodevelopmental disabilities.
When services are denied because someone is “too complex,” it often means that individuals with FASD are being left behind. This is why targeted, disability-aware approaches are so critical.
To help address this challenge, CanFASD will be sharing our Mental Health Toolkit with the Advocate’s office. This toolkit is a practical resource for service providers, caregivers, and individuals navigating these very challenges.
A model for the rest of Canada
We want to recognize and celebrate Alberta for conducting this work. It shows the power of what can happen when a province has a dedicated Advocate focused on disability issues.
Alberta is currently the only province in Canada with a Disability Advocate. We call on other provinces and territories to follow Alberta’s lead. Having an independent, informed voice focused on disability makes a real, measurable difference.
See here to read the report in full.