NAIN, NL – Bell Let's Talk and Bell Aliant are investing $150,000 in the Nunatsiavut Government's ‘Aullak sangilivallianginnatuk – Going Off, Growing Strong’ program to enhance mental health services for youth in Nain.
This long-term, intensive program links youth participants with positive adult role models in the community to help develop the mental health, resilience and social connections of its participants. Experienced and trusted harvesters are matched with youth to take them out on the land, in pairs and as a group, to teach them how to hunt, fish, collect firewood, navigate, and prepare wild foods. Program participants also help the community by preparing wild food for the community freezer and distributing it to elders.
"Helping communities care for those facing mental health challenges is a priority for Bell Aliant, so we are pleased to build on our existing partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government to support youth mental health in Nain," said Dan McKeen, Bell Aliant’s vice chair and SVP residential services, in the news release. "The ‘Going Off, Growing Strong’ program provides life changing skills for youth that will not only help the young people themselves but their community at large."
"During my visit to Nain last year as part of Clara's Big Ride, I was so inspired by the young people I met," added Bell Let's Talk national spokesperson Clara Hughes. "But I also saw how isolated communities have fewer resources available to help young people grow and develop. I'm so proud that Bell Let's Talk is supporting youth in Nain and addressing their mental health needs through this wonderful program."
