E-Mental Health and Awareness Program Moving Forward

Applications are now being accepted for two Requests for Proposals (RFP) for innovative programs focused on providing access to e-mental health services and a mass media awareness campaign aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and addictions.

“As awareness grows and people become more open to discussing issues of mental health and addictions, our government is renewing its focus on innovative service delivery,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “Our government is responding to these increased needs with ongoing investments in new programs, services and treatment facilities. We will further build our provincial capacity to address mental health and addictions through e-mental health web portals and continue to increase awareness through a provincial media campaign.”

The first RFP is for the development of two separate websites.

The first website will be an interactive e-mental health and addictions e-therapy service for youth who have, or may know of someone with, a mental illness or addiction. The interactive service will assist young people to gain a better understanding of mental illness and addiction and engage and benefit from mutual peer support. The primary target group for this website is youth ages 14-24 with a secondary target group including parents, guardians, health professionals and other community leaders. The website will deliver an extensive set of tools, such as interactive self-management and self-care tools, discussion forums, online e-therapy provided by trained professionals, self-help information, screening and referrals.

The second website will be an online knowledge exchange portal exclusively for those working in the mental health and addictions field in Newfoundland and Labrador. The goal of the knowledge exchange portal is to build a stronger community of collaboration among this group to further strengthen services and community supports. Membership would include: health professional associations and its members; regional health authorities; mental health and addiction clinicians; private practice clinicians (psychiatry, physicians, social workers, etc); community mental health and addiction agencies; academic and research bodies; and, employers. This website will serve as a single online destination for information related to mental health and addictions.

The second RFP is for the development of a mass media awareness campaign. The goal of the campaign is to decrease stigma and discrimination by challenging, and ultimately changing, the way people think and act towards those who experience or live with mental illness and addiction.

Details of the RFPs are posted on the Provincial Government website – www.gpa.gov.nl.ca. The deadline to submit a proposal is 4:00 p.m., Friday, June 15, 2012.

“The development of online supports and an awareness campaign are both part of a comprehensive plan to address stigma and discrimination,” said Minister Sullivan. “The e-mental health website will provide greater access and service delivery of mental health services in all areas of the province, including areas that are geographically isolated. The knowledge exchange portal will allow for greater stakeholder networking, education, collaboration and communication to better coordinate provincial efforts. Combined with the media campaign, we will enhance and provide new and innovative avenues of help, assistance, education and accessibility.”

Over the past three years, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $29 million to support mental health and addictions throughout the province. In Budget 2012: People and Prosperity - Responsible Investments for a Secure Future, $15.5 million has been allocated for the continued development of the youth treatment centres in Grand Falls-Windsor and Paradise and the adult treatment centre in Harbour Grace.

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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 

2012 05 25             9:35 a.m.