February 4, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Improved services for youth

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today another initiative, Helping Skills for Youth, under the $10.15 million National Child Benefit (NCB) Reinvestment Plan.

Minister Aylward said: "This initiative will see a total of $48,200 this year being allocated to the Canadian Mental Health Association for a one year project." This funding will allow the Canadian Mental Health Association to build on its previous success in the Helping Skills Programs for Adults. This program will be adapted to provide a training program model for developing the capacity of youth in communities to offer help and support to others. The Helping Skills model will include mentoring and skill transfer which generates personal growth and skill development for participants. The project will pilot the newly developed Helping Skills for Youth Program in 12 sites across the province. The project will be evaluated to assess its process and outcome.

"The minister has been very supportive of the Helping Skills Program from the start, and we are delighted that the Department of Health and Community Services has decided to fund it. It will be a wonderful program for young people," said Moria Buchan, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland and Labrador division.

"In keeping with the provincial Strategic Social Plan, this direction follows a prevention and early intervention model," said the minister. "It will build on the capacity of youth to assume leadership roles in the promotion of positive mental health in our communities."

This program is a component of the broader community youth network initiative announced by government earlier this year under the NCB Reinvestment Plan.

"These initiatives demonstrate government's continued commitment to respond in a meaningful way to the needs of children, youth, and families throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Aylward.

Media contact: Beverly Warford, (709) 729-6296.

1999 02 04 2:40 p.m.