WHITEHORSE – Northwestel, Bell Let’s Talk and The Government of Yukon are contributing $500,000 to support the launch of the Friends cognitive behaviour group-based intervention program throughout the territory.
The $250,000 donation from Bell Let's Talk and Northwestel is part of funding announced in May 2014 for community mental health resources in Canada's northern territories, focusing on assisting youth in rural communities. The Government of Yukon is matching the $250,000 gift.
Focused on preventing childhood anxiety and depression using proven cognitive behavioural principles and building emotional resilience, Friends teaches children and young people how to cope with and manage anxiety both now and in later life. Program facilitators will be trained to work collaboratively with community service providers, including First Nations providers, to enhance the supports available to youth as part of a continuum of care services.
"Northwestel is pleased to be a part of programs that expand the mental health resources available to Northerners", said Northwestel president and CEO Paul Flaherty, in the news release. "The Friends program is an important initiative that will help our young people develop the tools they need to manage their mental health, and to lead healthy lives today and well into the future."
"Given the urgent need for more child and youth mental health support and services in Canada's North, Bell Let's Talk is very proud to support the launch of Friends in Yukon," added Mary Deacon, chair of the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative. "We believe innovative programs like Friends can make a real difference for people in remote and isolated communities with limited resources."
