The Williams Government is investing $362,000 among nine community groups that focus on mental health and addiction services throughout the province. The one-time funding will support various projects undertaken by these groups.

"Mental health and addictions is a priority of this government," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "We are committed to investing in prevention and treatment programs for people and families living with mental health and addictions issues."

Minister Kennedy made the funding announcement today at Stella Burry Community Services, which will receive $50,000 to fund the "Just Us" program that provides increased support to women with addictions who have been in conflict with the law. Other groups receiving funding include the Consumers' Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador, the Pottle Centre, the Community Mental Health Initiative, Canadian Mental Health Association-Newfoundland and Labrador, Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, Turnings, Peter's Foundation and Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team.

"These community organizations offer a variety of worthwhile programs to people affected by mental health and addictions issues," said Minister Kennedy. "Our government has a very positive relationship with these organizations and our funding will help further the important work they carry out in Newfoundland and Labrador. The projects funded today will help people on the ground – individuals who need the help the most."

This funding complements $70,000 recently granted to the Eating Disorders Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Significant investments in mental health and addictions services were made in Budget 2009, including funding of $775,800 to address the prevention and treatment of substance use in the province by addressing service gaps, increasing service accessibility and involving communities in preventing addictions problems in youth.

The Provincial Government also committed to building two new treatment facilities, including a residential treatment centre for youth with addictions in Grand Falls-Windsor and a residential treatment centre for youth with complex mental health needs.

Over the past five years the Provincial Government has invested $17.9 million in mental health and addictions services in the province.

Consumers' Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador
Consumers' Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador (CHANNAL) will receive $50,000 for the creation of a user-friendly, interactive website to offer self-help and peer support to individuals living with mental illness. The website will include streaming video, print resources, links to other informative websites and a message board for individuals to ask questions, request specific information and share their own journey. CHANNAL is a provincial organization that exists to build and strengthen a self-help network among individuals who live with mental health issues. CHANNAL's aim is to combat isolation for those living with mental illness, to provide a forum for mental health consumers' concerns, to educate the public on issues relevant to mental health consumers and to offer advocacy, social and emotional support to those living with mental health.

Stella Burry Community Services
The Provincial Government is granting Stella Burry Community Services (SBCS) $50,000 to provide increased support to women with addictions released from prison. This past year SBCS established the Just Us Women�s Centre, a program designed to respond to the needs of women who have been in conflict with the law and those who are serving time in the Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional Centre for Women. The funding provided will help continue and expand the program, which involves weekly therapeutic groups in prison and the community, as well as individual assessments and counseling and a weekly peer support group. Since 1979, SBCS has offered programs that provide counseling and support to those who experience mental health issues, personal and family breakdown, lack of education and opportunity and a range of other barriers, with the goal that they may become full participants in community life.

Turnings
Turnings will receive $50,000 to increase capacity to offer Circles of Support and Accountability and additional support for the organization's clients. Turnings, previously known as Metro Community Chaplaincy, was founded in 1992. It is a community of persons from different walks of life whose mission is to assist offenders, ex-offenders and their families who wish to re-orient their lives with a view to living responsibly.

Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (SSNL) will receive $37,000 to introduce a provincial education and support program for families of persons with schizophrenia. This program will increase SSNL's capacity to offer support and education regarding mental illness to rural communities. The provincial funding will also allow family representatives from throughout the province to attend the national Schizophrenia Awareness Conference being held in St. John's this year. SSNL is a charitable organization with a mission to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy and research.

Peter's Foundation
Peter's Foundation will receive $25,000 in Provincial Government funding. They offer safe, affordable housing to women in recovery. This funding will help sustain their current program.

Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team
The Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team (RAFT) will receive $25,000 in Provincial Government funding to assist with the expansion of their ongoing activities with individuals in recovery. RAFT is a non-profit organization which assists in the rehabilitation of individuals impacted by substance abuse. For many with addictions, one of the most difficult aspects of recovery is learning to socialize and enjoy life in a healthy environment. RAFT aims to provide the recovering addict with healthy, alternative, social activities.

Community Mental Health Initiative Inc.
The Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) will use $15,000 in Provincial Government funding to train three facilitators in Mental Health First Aid, an innovative program that teaches people how to recognize the first signs and symptoms of mental health problems, provide initial help and guide a person towards appropriate professional help. Mental Health First Aid shares the same overall goal as traditional first aid – to save lives. CMHI will offer the program free of charge to the public and community groups in the western region. CMHI is a community-based group that is committed to working with and on behalf of the whole community to identify mental health needs and provide individuals with the opportunity to develop in responsible and beneficial ways.