$250,000 to support CERVO Foundation; $250,000 joint gift with Northwestel for Yukon mental health programs
QUÉBEC CITY and WHITEHORSE — Today, on Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell Canada announced two major donations from Bell Let’s Talk that will help support mental health care and programs in Québec’s Capitale-Nationale region and the Yukon.
Bell Let’s Talk is donating $250,000 to the CERVO Foundation to facilitate the purchase of a second neuromodulation device (one is shown above, left) at the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de la Capitale-Nationale, “which will help develop new avenues for mental health care,” says a Bell Canada press release.
“Neuromodulation or rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) has been used for several years for the management of individuals suffering from depressive disorders who are resistant to standard treatments, or as an alternative therapy when antidepressants are contraindicated or poorly tolerated,” the release explains.
The wait for this type of care can be up to eight months before an assessment can be conducted, and the additional device will double the availability of this treatment, the release says.
“Bell Let’s Talk is proud to collaborate again with the CERVO Foundation and the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de la Capitale-Nationale to help with the acquisition of a 2nd neuromodulation device. This donation will improve access to mental health care for Quebecers and allow many people to get better,” said Karine Moses, senior vice-president of content development and news, and vice-chair, Québec, for Bell, in the release.
In a separate press release, Bell subsidiary Northwestel announced along with the government of Yukon and Bell Let’s Talk a combined gift of $370,000 to support the Strongest Families Institute’s (SFI) launch of mental health programming for Yukon children, youth, adults and families.
A $250,000 donation by Bell Let’s Talk and Northwestel will be met with territorial government funding over a five-year period, explains the press release.
“SFI provides evidence-based programs for children, youth, adults and families dealing with mild to moderate mental illness and other issues impacting their health and well-being,” the release reads.
SFI uses a distance coaching approach to support clients over the phone and Internet with a convenient companion app connection. (One of SFI’s coaches is pictured above, right.)
With the new funding announced today, SFI will be able to reach approximately 400 at-risk children, youth, adults and families across Yukon Territory, the release says. When programming is launched this month, distance coaching will be available in both English and French.
SFI’s service is already available to thousands of Canadian families and individuals across 10 provinces and the Northwest Territories.
“Bell Let’s Talk is proud to support the expansion of Strongest Families programming alongside the Government of Yukon and Northwestel,” said Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let’s Talk, in the release.
“Developed and adapted to meet the unique and changing needs of youth, adults and their families, this partnership will enable new, barrier-free access to mental health support for Yukon residents when and where they need it. We applaud the Government of Yukon for their leadership and commitment to moving mental health forward,” Deacon said.
“We are so proud to collaborate with the Strongest Families Institute in breaking down barriers to mental health support in the territory,” Northwestel president Curtis Shaw said.
“Northwestel has over 300 employees who call Yukon home and this partnership will have a lasting impact on our families and our communities. We extend our thanks to Bell Let’s Talk, the Government of Yukon and SFI for continuing to help create a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with mental health challenges.”
Images supplied by Bell Let’s Talk.
