The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in partnership with the Strongest Families Institute, has launched I CAN (Conquer Anxiety and Nervousness), a new e-mental health program designed to support young adults ages 18-30 with anxiety.
Strongest Families Institute currently offers anxiety programs for children ages 6-17. The province has contributed $170,000 towards the development of the I CAN program in an effort to support the health of young adults.
The I CAN program supports young adults in learning life skills to overcome anxiety and cope with major life stressors by offering distance telephone and online coaching, and is free to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. The I CAN program is now open for registration and people can sign up by calling Strongest Families Institute directly at 1-866-470-7111 or by visiting Bridge the gApp at www.bridgethegapp.ca/.
Strongest Families Institute is an evidence-based intervention program endorsed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The program has an overall 85 per cent success rate in resolving issues presenting in children. The program has also been clinically significant in improving parental mood and stress, increasing social participation and overcoming bullying behaviours.
In Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government committed to provide greater access to a range of evidence-based mental health services via technology. The I CAN program complements other programs in the province’s suite of online mental health and addictions support for people province-wide such as Therapy Assistance Online, Bridge the gApp, BreathingRoom™ and MindWell-U 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge.
This initiative delivers on the commitment in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Strongest Families Institute is a proven e-health solution that reduces stigma, improves access and offers early intervention support for children, youth and families. There has been tremendous uptake of the Strongest Families program in Newfoundland and Labrador. We’ve heard today some first-hand accounts from families. Of the 1,000 families who have used the program, 92 per cent say they have resolved their issues. We are excited to offer the new I CAN program for young adults to help them overcome their anxiety. Thank you to Strongest Families Institute for working with us to increase access to mental health services and supports, helping children, youth, and now young adults in our communities.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Strongest Families Institute and the young adults who will benefit from the I CAN program are grateful to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for their funding support. It is because of this support that we will now be able to bridge the gap for adults ages 18-30 by extending our evidenced-based anxiety coaching services. We are working together to provide help early so that young adults can lead a happier, healthier future.”
Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie
CEO, Strongest Families Institute
“Thrive has referred numerous families to the Strongest Families Institute over the years. Having an accessible program that allows families to receive the support and guidance they are looking for to address childhood issues has proven to be a great asset to the youth and families that Thrive supports. We are delighted to know this program will be expanded to now support young adults 18-30. Thrive supports a growing number of young adults that are struggling with anxiety, and this anxiety often impacts their daily life functioning. Thrive believes this expanded service will now provide more opportunities for people to access the supports that they require.”
Angela Crockwell
Executive Director, Thrive
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Learn More
Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
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Media contacts
Tina Newhook
Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-2837
tinanewhook@gov.nl.ca
Pam MacKinnon
Strongest Families Institute
902-442-9521
pmackinnon@strongestfamilies.com
Angela Crockwell
Thrive
754-0536
acrockwell@thrivecyn.ca