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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to congratulate Stella’s Circle and Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie, President and CEO of the Strongest Families Institute, on receiving Champions of Mental Health Awards from the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, this past May in Ottawa.

The Alliance, I might add, is co-chaired by Florence Budden, an instructor with Eastern Health’s Centre for Nursing Studies.

Stella’s Circle, which received the Community (Organization) Award, offers programs in housing, counselling and employment for people, the majority of whom have mental illness or addictions.

Dr. Lingley-Pottie, who received the Innovation – Researcher or Clinician Award, has dedicated her career to improving the mental health and well-being of children, youth and families.

Most recently, she partnered with Newfoundland and Labrador to launch I CAN (Conquer Anxiety and Nervousness), an e-health program for individuals ages 18-30.

This province contributed $170,000 towards the development of I CAN, which complements our suite of online supports, such as Therapy Assistance Online, Bridge the gApp, BreathingRoom™ and MindWell-U 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge.

Both Stella’s Circle and Dr. Lingley-Pottie are working to ensure safe spaces for mental health discussions within our communities.

I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating them on receiving their respective awards.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.