Article content The global pandemic has impacted mental health and addiction, and the provincial government recognized a need early on, investing nearly $1-million in Grande Prairie alone. Jason Luan, associate minister for Mental Health and Addictions, said there is no immediate relief from the impact of the coronavirus but he feels the pandemic has been somewhat lessened, from a mental health standpoint. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. Grande Prairie has received $850,000 from the province in mental health initiatives since the beginning of 2021 Back to video “So, with all of this, I say we are in a much better place than ever,” Luan said, adding six Grande Prairie organizations, which include the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, the Grande Prairie Volunteer Service Bureau, the Youth Emergency Shelter Society, Burden Bearers, the Suicide Prevention Centre and the Grande Prairie Hospice and Palliative Care Society all shared in more than $850,000 in 2021 alone.