Money for mental health
Partnership adds $150,000 for Strongest Families program
More Island families will be able to access mental health resources through a new partnership between the province and Bell Let’s Talk.
Matching funds from government and the Bell Let’s Talk campaign will help add $150,000 to the Strongest Families Program on Prince Edward Island over the next four years, which will support an additional 150 Island families.
Last year, the program supported more than 130 Island families with children and youth ages 3 to 17 who experience behaviour, anxiety and/or nighttime bedwetting problems.
There are no wait times for the Strongest Families online programming and tele-health services, so families don’t need to travel or change their normal routines.
With a 90 per cent success rate, Strongest Families is customized to each family’s needs and provides treatment that helps young people and their caregivers.
“Strongest Families has a proven track record when it comes to child and youth mental health services and Bell Let’s Talk is very pleased to support them in expanding their reach to more families across the Atlantic region,” said Mary Deacon, Bell Let’s Talk chairwoman.
“By working together we can have such an impact on the growing number of families who will benefit throughout Atlantic Canada.”
P.E.I.’s partnership with Bell Let’s Talk is part of a larger initiative with matching contributions from each of the four Atlantic provinces, resulting in an $2 million total investment in child and youth mental health services throughout Atlantic Canada.
On Bell Let’s Talk Day this Wednesday, Jan. 25, Bell will donate 5 cents toward mental health initiatives in Canada for every text, call and selected social media activities.
In P.E.I., families can be referred to the Strongest Families programs through their primary care provider or community mental health services by calling 1-866-833-5443.