Marc G. Serré
Marc G. Serré
Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt
Northeastern Ontario MPs announce investment of $215,290 for young people’s mental health
January 25, 2023

Sudbury – Young people have been disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with social isolation, virtual learning challenges, job insecurity, and financial hardship worsening their mental health and well-being.

Today, Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, and Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced $215,290 in funding to YMCA of Northeastern Ontario. The funding will support the scaling up and expansion of the “Y Mind” and “Mind Medicine” evidence-based, youth-informed, early intervention programs across Canada.

The programs are intended for young people aged 13-30 years of age who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression and aim to support the development of effective coping skills and improvements to participants’ overall well-being. Y Mind introduces them to evidence-based tools and connects them with peers and experienced professionals. Mind Medicine, an adapted version of Y Mind, has been developed specifically for Indigenous young people, and will be implemented in partnership with Indigenous-serving organizations and communities.

This announcement is part of a $100 million investment provided in Budget 2021 to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quotes


“Young people were disproportionally impacted by the pandemic and many are still struggling with their mental health and wellness. This program through the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is a step in the right direction to help young people in Nipissing-Timiskaming get the resources they need and remove the barriers to mental health supports. Congratulations to Helen Francis and the entire team at the YMCA on their hard work and dedication to bring a program like this to our area.” – Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming

“Mental health promotion and prevention are critical components for wellbeing. Today’s funding for the expansion of the YMCA ‘YMind’ and ‘Mind Medicine’ Programs will help teens and young adults in Sudbury manage stress, anxiety, and give them the tools and support needed to improve mental health. By creating low-barrier access and more inclusive programming, ‘YMind’ will directly impact the wellbeing of youth right here in our community. It is essential that we continue to support programming like ‘YMind’ and ‘Mind Medicine’.” - Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament Sudbury

“Congratulations to YMCA Canada for adopting this profoundly valuable program. The people of Northeastern Ontario are in very good hands thanks to their dedicated CEO/President Helen Francis and entire team. This funding, will assist youth in Nickel Belt who were disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will lower barriers to accessing mental health support through the expansion of its “Y Mind” and “Mind Medicine” programs. We must continue to support programs like these, which aim to improve youth mental health and well-being in the Nickel Belt region and throughout Canada.” – Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“The YMCA of Northeastern Ontario is thrilled to receive the funding from the Government of Canada to allow us to host the YMind program. We know that helping teens and youth find constructive ways to manage mild to moderate stress and anxiety helps them to build resilience and can prevent a further deterioration of mental wellness. It is an important addition to the holistic approach we take to provide holistic health and wellness services to the community.”- Helen Francis, CEO YMCA Northeastern Ontario

Quick Facts

• One in three Canadians indicated their mental health got worse due to the pandemic.

• Community-based projects focussed on mental health promotion have the potential to improve health outcomes over the life course.

• The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the mental health of people in Canada through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

• Y Mind was developed by the YMCA of Greater Vancouver (now YMCA BC) in response to a need for free and accessible mental wellness support. It is an innovative, youth informed, early intervention program that helps teens and young adults manage stress and anxiety.

• The YMCA will partner with at least seven Indigenous serving organizations over the next year to deliver the program.

• More information about Y Mind can be found at ymca.ca/ymind, including an inquiry form to learn more about Y Mind options in your area. Funding will be provided to 20 YMCA Associations in nine provinces

• Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention are critical components for wellbeing and can help reduce demands on the health care system. Community-based projects focussed on mental health promotion have the potential to improve health outcomes over the life course.

• Renison University College, at the University of Waterloo, is hosting a Knowledge Development and Exchange Hub for Mental Health Promotion (KDE Hub) to support the projects funded through this investment helping to build a community with shared interests in optimizing mental health promotion and mental illness prevention across Canada.

• The Wellness Together Canada portal provides free access to educational content, self-guided therapy, moderated peer-to-peer support, and one-to-one counselling with qualified health professionals. If you or a loved one is struggling, you can access the Wellness Together Canada portal, or call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 (adults) or 686868 (youth).

• Kids Help Phone is also available 24/7 with e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French.

Associated Links
• The Wellness Together Canada portal
• Hope for Wellness Helpline
Kids Help Phone
• Y Mind
• Mental Health and Wellness (Government of Canada website)
• Budget 2021

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