Health and Community Services
April 5, 2011
Mental Health and Addictions Community Groups Receive Funding
The community support system for mental health and addictions is strengthened today with the announcement of $260,000 in one-time funding for provincial community groups. These groups, which provide essential mental health and addictions services and support, will use the funding for a range of projects throughout the province.
“Providing the necessary support and funding for mental health and addictions services continues to be a priority for our government,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “The work done by the community groups we are supporting today enhances our overall mental health and addictions services, and provides a variety of support mechanisms, unique approaches and issue specific focus to very complex and wide-ranging matters associated with mental illness and addictions.”
A total of four groups will receive funding to address a variety of issues including addictions, barriers to employment, and the stigma of mental health issues.
The groups to receive funding are the Victoria United Church, Stella Burry Community Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association–Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Consumers’ Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador. A description of the programs receiving funding can be found in the backgrounder below.
“One of the biggest challenges associated with mental health and addictions issues is removing the stigma that is attached,” said Minister Kennedy. “Awareness is being created around these issues thanks to the support being provided by community groups who offer programs and services to those living with mental health and addictions issues. The projects that have received support are making headway and opening doors for people that need help. Our government has made significant commitments to address the issues of mental health and addictions and we will continue to do so into the future.”
Over the past six years the Provincial Government has provided $25.1 million to support mental health and addictions programs and services throughout the province, including an investment of $7.2 million in Budget 2010: The Right Investments For Our Children and Our Future
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Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Mental Health and Addictions Projects to Receive Funding
Canadian Mental Health Association-Newfoundland and Labrador
The Canadian Mental Health Association-Newfoundland and Labrador (CMHA-NL)
will receive $80,000 to deliver the second year of a mental health literacy
and anti-stigma project. The project engages high school students to raise
awareness and change attitudes about mental health and mental illness among
teenagers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The program also helps
students recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and when they
need to seek help. CMHA-NL is a voluntary, non-profit charitable
organization established in 1964 to promote a better understanding of mental
health and mental illness in the province.
Consumers’ Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador
The Consumers’ Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador (CHANNAL)
will receive $80,000 for training that will allow peer support to become a
foundational component of a recovery-based mental health system. The funding
will be provided for curriculum development and the purchase of training
materials. CHANNAL is a provincial organization that builds and strengthens
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
Stella Burry Community Services (SBCS) will receive $50,000 to deliver and
evaluate a Personal Development/Employment Readiness Program that will
provide women with the skills to overcome barriers to increase the prospect
of acceptance into training programs and workplace opportunities. Since
1979, SBCS has offered programs that provide counselling 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.
Victoria United Church
The Victoria United Church is receiving $50,000 from the Provincial
Government to operate a drop-in centre for persons in recovery from
addictions. The funding will be used for rent, supplies and the hiring of a
coordinator. The Community Addiction Advisory Group of the Trinity
Conception area, which applied for the funding on behalf of the Victoria
United Church, will evaluate the drop-in centre to determine its potential
to serve as a template for other regions to support persons in recovery from
addictions.
2011 04 05 10:40 a.m.