Residents looking for mental health support in Lloydminster have access to a free walk-in counselling service seven days a week through the expanding Pathways to Wellness program.
Originally launched as a pilot project in 2025, Pathways to Wellness was created to address a gap in local mental health and crisis services. The program began with donated administrative support, volunteer hours from staff at Hunt Psychological Services and funding assistance from the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation.
Following the success of the pilot, the program resumed operations in May 2026 through a partnership with Covenant Health. The collaboration has allowed Pathways to Wellness to move from a volunteer-supported initiative to a more consistent service with expanded hours.
Hours of operation, contact details
As of Sept. 1, the program operates seven days a week, with hours from noon to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on weekends from noon to 5:00 p.m. The service is closed on statutory holidays.
It’s located at Integrated Therapies, in downtown Lloydminster at 5009 – 50 Street, telephone 780-205-9593.
The service is staffed by certified therapists trained to provide mental health care. Clients are welcomed by reception staff and complete intake forms before meeting with a therapist in a private setting.
The program offers free mental health support without appointments, referrals or fees. In addition to crisis counselling, the service now provides rapid-access counselling aimed at helping individuals before challenges escalate into emergencies.
Organizers say the approach helps reduce pressure on emergency departments by providing people with support closer to the moment they need it.
Outcomes
Pathways to Wellness also connects clients with other community resources through a process known as community prescribing. Individuals can be linked to addiction services, housing and financial supports, peer support groups and other programs that fit their needs.
Program data highlights growing demand for the service. Since its launch, Pathways to Wellness has supported 67 individuals through 141 counselling sessions. In September alone, the program recorded 53 sessions involving 22 Alberta residents and six Saskatchewan residents.
Partnership with Covenant Health
Officials say the partnership between Pathways to Wellness and Covenant Health reflects a shared commitment to improving access to mental health and addictions support in Lloydminster.
“Our approach to mental health care starts with the person: meeting people wherever they are in their health journey,” said Sherie Allen, vice-president of mental health and addictions with Covenant Health. “Pathways to Wellness is stepping in to fill an important gap in Lloydminster’s health-care system, and we’re proud to stand alongside them.”
What began as a master’s practicum project has since evolved into a year-round service designed to ensure people experiencing mental health challenges have timely access to support when they need it most.
