The Government of Yukon has partnered with Bell Let's Talk and
Northwestel to launch Strongest Families Institute's mental health
programming for Yukon children,
youth, adults and families
WHITEHORSE, YT, Jan. 26, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of
Yukon, in partnership with Bell
Let's Talk and Northwestel, today announced significant support for
child, youth and adult mental health across the territory with a
combined gift of $370,000 to the
Strongest Families Institute (SFI).
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. Through a unique
distance coaching approach, SFI supports clients over the phone and
the Internet in the privacy of their own homes with a convenient
companion app connection. Their innovative and cost-effective
service leverages technology to help fulfill goals within several
provincial mental health strategies across the country, reaching
thousands of Canadian families and individuals each year across ten
provinces and the Northwest
Territories.
A $250,000 donation by Bell Let's
Talk and Northwestel will be met with territorial government
funding over a 5-year period. With $370,000 in new funding, the Strongest Families
Institute will reach approximately 400 at-risk children, youth,
adults and families across the territory. Distance coaching will be
available in both English and French when programming is launched
this month. SFI's programming has been co-designed and developed in
collaboration with partners, including Indigenous advisors within
Canada. All SFI coaches are diversity trained and receive cultural
competency training with attention to the unique experiences
of Indigenous people and communities.
"The Government of Yukon is
pleased to partner with Bell Let's Talk and Northwestel to provide
additional funding for the Strongest Families Institute. The
Institute provides vital programming and supports for adults and
kids in the Yukon and works to
improve the overall health and well-being of our communities."
- Tracy-Anne McPhee, Minister of
Health and Social Services
"Strongest Families Institute is honoured to extend our services
to help those in need within the Yukon territory. Thanks to the Government of
Yukon, Bell Let's Talk and
Northwestel, our unique distance telephone coach support model will
help those of all ages access quality services to help manage and
overcome issues such as anxiety, depression and behavioural
challenges. Our coaches are culturally trained to understand the
unique challenges of the communities we serve and have flexible
schedules to be ensure they are available when and where people
need help. We commend the Government of Yukon, Bell Let's Talk and Northwestel for
their commitment to improving access to quality mental health
programs in Canada. Together, we
will improve mental wellness and support many Yukon residents and families to lead happier
and healthier lives."
- Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie,
President and CEO of Strongest Families Institute
"Bell Let's Talk is proud to support the expansion of Strongest
Families programming alongside the Government of Yukon and Northwestel. 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."
- Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell
Let's Talk
"We are so proud to collaborate with the Strongest Families
Institute in breaking down barriers to mental health support in the
territory. 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."
- Curtis Shaw, President of
Northwestel
In 2021, Bell Let's Talk and Strongest Families Institute
announced the launch of a new secure mobile companion app to
further enhance SFI's ability to reach people in rural and remote
communities with its coaching sessions. The Strongest Families
Institute app is available to all clients enrolled in their
programs and is available for download in the Apple and Google app
stores. To learn more about how to access SFI programming in your
community, please click here.
Bell Let's Talk Day is today – Join the
conversation!
On Bell Let's Talk Day, Bell donates an
additional 5 cents to Canadian mental
health programs for every applicable text, local or long distance
call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, every Facebook,
Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and
YouTube view of the Bell Let's Talk Day video, and every use of the
Bell Let's Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens. All at no cost to
participants beyond what they would normally pay their service
provider for online or phone access.
About Bell Let's Talk
The largest-ever corporate
commitment to mental health in Canada, Bell Let's Talk is focused on 4 key
action pillars – Anti-stigma, Care and Access, Research and
Workplace Leadership – and is a driver of Bell for Better. Since
its launch in 2010, Bell Let's Talk has partnered with more than
1,300 organizations providing mental health services throughout
Canada, including hospitals, universities, local community service
providers and other care and research organizations. To learn more,
please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
About Northwestel
Northwestel is the largest telecommunications provider in Canada's
north, serving 96 communities across Yukon, Northwest
Territories, Nunavut,
British Columbia and Alberta. In 2020, Northwestel launched a
3-year Every Community plan to significantly improve broadband
services for northern residents, governments and businesses using
the latest fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
satellite technologies. Northwestel is a subsidiary of Bell and
provides service on the traditional territories of Indigenous
peoples across Canada's North.
About Strongest Families Institute
Strongest
Families Institute (SFI) is an award-winning charitable
organization that provides proven programs to improve mental health
and well-being by leveraging the advantages of highly skilled
coaches and innovative technology. SFI removes barriers to care so
that people gain quick access regardless of where they live. With
SFI's family-centred approach, coaching calls are booked at
convenient times, day or night. This means that there is no need to
travel, no missed time from work or school, services are free to
families, and stigma is virtually eliminated. Care is customized to
meet the needs of the client. SFI's programs target significant
problems that cause impairments to the child, youth, adult, or
family such as behaviour, anxiety, depression, and bedwetting. To
learn more about how to access our services, please visit Strongest
Families Institute or call 1-866-470-7111.
Media Inquiries:
Carleen Kerr
Communications, Health and Social Services
Government of Yukon
867-667-3673
Carleen.kerr@yukon.ca
Morgan Shipley
Bell Let's Talk
204-391-2849
morgan.shipley@bellmts.ca
@Bell_LetsTalk
@Bell_News
Northwestel Media Relations
1-867-455-4209
media@nwtel.ca
Anne Marie Shannon
Strongest Families Institute
902-449-6560
amshannon@strongestfamilies.com
SOURCE Bell Canada