Health and Community Services
May 4, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Minister Recognizes Mental Health Week

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize May 4 to 10 as Mental Health Week. This morning I had the pleasure of joining members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association for their annual Mental Health Week conference, and to proclaim Mental Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mental Health Week is an annual national event held by the Canadian Mental Health Association to raise awareness of mental health across Canada. It is a key opportunity to further the conversation around mental health.

Mr. Speaker, mental health is a key priority for the Provincial Government. While these are challenging times and we have made some tough decisions as a government in order to support our five-year plan for sustainability, we remain committed to move forward with the replacement of the Waterford Hospital when the province’s fiscal position improves.

Meanwhile we are committed to ensuring youth and adults have access to the programs and services they need. Improving access to mental health and addictions services through the use of innovative online technologies is one way we are accomplishing this goal. During this morning’s conference, I was proud to announce that we are expanding Bridge the gApp, an existing mental health app for youth, to include additional features and content. A similar app is being developed for adults that will also offer self-help information and self-referral to mental health and addictions services.

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we recognize the tremendous value of research in advancing the way we deliver programs and services. That is why we are investing in research funding for e-technologies supporting mental health. An investment of $50,000 will be provided to Memorial University’s Counselling Centre to test ways to deliver a number of offerings, ranging from brief self-help online to tailored interventions with counsellors. A second research grant of $50,000 will fund the province’s adoption of the BreathingRoom program – an online self-management program that gives young people between the ages of 13 and 24 the tools to manage stress, depression and anxiety.

As we recognize Mental Health Week, it's important that we also highlight the continuing work by many groups and individuals throughout the province who are raising awareness, reducing stigma, and enhancing access to programs and services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2015 05 04                              1:50 p.m.