Health and Community Services
June 23, 2010Mental Health and Addictions Community
Groups to Benefit from Funding
Six mental health and addictions community groups throughout the
province will benefit from $225,000 in annualized core funding announced
by the Provincial Government today. This funding will support community
groups that are helping people on a daily basis to improve their lives
and help overcome their mental health and addictions issues.
"Our government is committed to making strategic investments to
foster development of programs and services to help those living with
mental health and addictions issues," said the Honourable Jerome
Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "Community
organizations have an important role to play in supporting individuals
and families dealing with mental health and addictions issues. Our
government is pleased to have a very positive relationship with these
organizations and is committed to working together to ensure mental
health and addictions programs are available to those who need them."
Community groups receiving funding are the Consumers' Health
Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador (CHANNAL), Eating Disorders
Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Schizophrenia Society of
Newfoundland and Labrador, Turnings, Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team
(RAFT), and Peter's Foundation. This new funding complements $432,000 in
one-time funding recently announced to support various projects being
undertaken by mental health and community groups across the province.
Budget 2010: The Right Investments - For Our Children and Our
Future includes an investment of $7.2 million to strengthen mental
health and addictions services in the province, including $2.4 million
for continued planning and construction of a new residential treatment
centre in St. John's for children and youth with complex mental health
needs; $2 million to further a new residential treatment centre in Grand
Falls-Windsor for children and youth with addictions; $2 million for the
planning and development of an adult residential addictions treatment
centre in Harbour Grace; $482,900 to enhance child psychiatry services
at the Janeway Hospital; and, $300,000 to support new community-based
projects, with a focus on mental health and addictions issues.
In addition to this year's budget, the Provincial Government has
invested $17.9 million over the past five years in mental health and
addictions, which included the creation of an adolescent day
treatment program; three assertive community treatment teams; new mental
health legislation; the opening of Humberwood Provincial Treatment
Centre in Corner Brook, which offers complete rehabilitative services to
adult residents of the province requiring in-patient treatment; and
funding for several community groups.
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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-2646
Consumers' Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador
(CHANNAL) will receive $50,000 to sustain its provincial operations and
to ensure a solid base of peer support for individuals living with
mental illness in Newfoundland and Labrador. 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 issues.
Eating Disorders Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Eating Disorders Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (EDFNL) will
receive $50,000 to sustain its provincial operations and support
individuals and families affected by eating disorders. EDFNL is a
leadership advocacy group dedicated to promoting research and providing
public support services and information about matters related to eating
disorders.
Turnings
Turnings will receive $50,000 to help continue its support of
individuals released from prison with addictions issues. 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 $25,000 to sustain its provincial operations and to provide
support to family members of individuals living with schizophrenia. SSNL
is a charitable organization
Peter's Foundation
Peter's Foundation will receive $25,000 to help stabilize the
operation of Jesse's Place, which provides safe affordable housing for
women in recovery from addictions.
Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team
The Recovering Addicts Fellowship Team (RAFT) will receive $25,000 to
help continue its work in supporting individuals in recovery. RAFT is a
non-profit organization that 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.
2010 06 23 3:10 p.m.