Commitment supports at-risk and
marginalized youth across Canada
TORONTO, May 6, 2024
/CNW/ - Ahead of National Child and Youth Mental Health Day
tomorrow, Sun Life is pleased to announce a $1,050,000 million commitment over three years in
support of mental health programs for at-risk and marginalized
youth in Canada. This commitment
will be used by two partner organizations to expand mental health
services, increase access to care and promote prevention-based
techniques to an estimated 1,300 young Canadians and their
families.
"In Canada, 70 per cent of
mental health challenges begin during childhood, disproportionately
affecting marginalized youth," said Jacques
Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada. "As part of our Purpose
to help Canadians live healthier lives, we strive to make the
biggest positive impact we can, where it matters the most. That's
why we are committed to ensuring youth have the tools, support
systems and interventions they need early in life."
George Hull Centre for Children and Families
Sun Life
is committing $320,000 over two years
to support the expansion of the George Hull Centre for Children and
Families' innovative Feeling Explorers social emotional learning
program. This initiative uses Canadian-themed content, imagery, and
characters to help children in grades one to three build skills and
strategies to improve self-awareness, self-management, social
awareness, relationship building, and responsible decision making.
This new investment is expected to help over 600 children and their
families over the two-year partnership.
"We are thrilled with Sun Life's support of the George Hull
Centre through funding an expansion of the Feeling Explorers
program," said Susan Chamberlain,
Executive Director, George Hull Centre. "This donation ensures
hundreds of young children will become better equipped to manage
their feelings, develop important and protective relationship
building skills, and make sense of stressful events, confusing
thoughts, and moments of self-doubt. By providing access to this
skill building at a young age, Sun Life is playing a critical role
in the prevention and mitigation of mental health issues as
children grow older."
Unsinkable
Sun Life is committing $730,000 over three years to support Unsinkable's
national, 12-week mental health program, Unsinkable Youth, which is
developed, designed and delivered entirely by youth. Unsinkable
Youth aims to empower young people to develop personal resilience,
forge meaningful community connections, and create a safe space for
the sharing of personal stories. The young program leaders, guided
by experienced mentors, have played a pivotal role in shaping every
aspect of the program, ensuring it resonates with their peers. This
youth-centric approach is crucial in addressing the unique
challenges and opportunities young individuals face.
"We are so grateful for Sun Life's investment in the growth and
evolution of our Unsinkable Youth programming," said Hailey Hechtman, Executive Director, Unsinkable.
"Through this generous contribution, we will be able to support
more young people on their mental well-being journey through
peer-to-peer programming that encourages safe storytelling, builds
mental wellness tools and cultivates a deeper sense of community.
Sun Life's partnership will ensure that youth across Canada feel empowered and embraced to navigate
their mental wellness path in a way that centers their emerging
needs through a strength-based, youth-led, inclusive and accessible
initiative designed by and for them."
Addressing mental health challenges: Sun Life's efforts to be
part of the solution
According to the Canadian Mental Health
Association, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health
problem or illness each year. Sun Life is committed to providing
Canadians the tools and resources needed to take action to improve
their mental resilience and well-being.
- Lumino Health Virtual Care connects Group Benefits Clients
directly with a health care professional for both their physical
and mental health needs.
- Lumino Health, a free resource, helps Canadians find health
care providers, book appointments and access the latest in health
information and resources.
- Mental Health Coach uses licensed health care practitioners who
proactively guide Group Benefits Clients to treatment available
through their employer plan and public programs. The service helps
improve mental health and reduces the impact of related absences
and disability claims.
Sun Life also invests in community-led mental health programs
designed to support at-risk and marginalized communities.
- In 2023, Sun Life Canada pledged $4.7
million for youth mental health programming in at-risk or
marginalized communities through 11 organizations across
Canada.
- In 2022, Sun Life Québec announced a $1.1 million investment to support mental health
services for families and marginalized communities through four
organizations in Quebec.
- In 2021, Sun Life Canada announced a $1
million partnership with Kids Help Phone to support the
Brighter Days Program, an Indigenous youth mental wellness
initiative.
Supporting the needs and well-being of vulnerable populations is
key to a healthy and sustainable future. To date, Sun Life has
provided more than $8.1 million in
philanthropic donations since 2020 in support of mental health
across Canada.
Sun Life in the community
Sun Life is sustainability-driven, focusing on areas where it can
have the greatest impact. By actively supporting the communities in
which Sun Life lives and works, the organization can help build a
positive environment for Clients, employees, advisors, and
shareholders. Physical health and mental health are at the centre
of our philanthropic support, with a focus on supporting programs
and organizations that strive to empower Canadians to live their
healthiest lives no matter where they are in their journey. Sun
Life employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering and
giving back to make life brighter for individuals and families
across Canada.
Learn more about Sun Life in the community
Learn more about the George Hull Centre for Children and
Families
Learn more about Unsinkable
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
Media Relations contact:
Alison Springate
Manager, Corporate Communications, Sun Life
M: 226-898-2941
E: alison.springate@sunlife.com
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.