Press Releases
Whitehorse, YT, October 8, 2015 – The Mental Health Association of Yukon is pleased to announce it will soon offer a new mental health program, Living Life to the Full, thanks to funding from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund, the Yukon Government, Northwestel, and Yukon’s Community Development Fund.
The Living Life to the Full program provides life skills to manage anxiety, depression, obsessions and eating disorders. It’s a fun and interactive group program that helps people understand their feelings, thoughts, behaviours and how to manage them.
“This evidence based program will provide the tools that will benefit Yukoners wishing to improve their mental health,” said Ray Wells, the Chair of the Mental Health Association Yukon. “With funding from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund, the Yukon Government, and Northwestel, in addition to a contribution from the Yukon’s Community Development Fund, we are thrilled to have the support of government and the private sector to pilot this important program in Yukon. We would also like to congratulate Bell for renewing Bell Let’s Talk for another 5 years and its new funding commitment of at least $100 million across the country.”
The partners have collectively contributed $85,000 to bring Living Life to the Full to Yukon including $30,000 from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund, $25,200 from the Yukon Government, $19,800 from the Yukon’s Community Development Fund and, $10,000 from Northwestel.
“Bell Let’s Talk is very proud to support the Mental Health Association of Yukon’s Living Life to the Full program,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund is supporting 55 organizations this year, in every region of the country, all of which are making a difference in the lives of people living with mental illness, and the family and friends who support them. Over the last 5 years, the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund has invested more than $5 million in hundreds of community programs and services that improve access to mental health care.”
Living Life to the Full will bring a proven Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based program to people struggling with low mood, anxiety and depression issues. The program is an 8 session 12 hour course delivered face-to-face to participants by a certified facilitator. It provides tools and strategies to participants to maximize their ability to deal with life’s challenges.
“We cannot underplay the importance of good mental health to our well-being. Programs like this help create awareness and acceptance and should make it a little easier for individuals with mental health issues,” said Health and Social Services Minister Mike Nixon. “We are happy to be able to support this worthwhile project.”
Living Life to the Full will be offered in small groups in Whitehouse and Yukon communities. Through promotion of the program both within Whitehorse and the territory the Mental Health Association of Yukon will engage in open dialog about these issues and provide tangible benefits to the participants.
“As a company committed to supporting mental health in the North, Northwestel is always looking for opportunities to expand the mental wellness resources available to Northerners,” said Northwestel President and CEO Paul Flaherty. “The Living Life to the Full program is a creative way to help individuals manage mental illness.”
More information about the local Living Life to the Full program is available by contacting 867-668-6429 or by emailing mhayukon2015@gmail.com.
The Mental Health Assotiation of Yukon’s mission is to promote the positive mental health of all Yukoners. We strive to empower people affected by mental health issues to make informed choices regarding the management of their lives, provide community education, awareness, advocacy and support services, eradicate stigma towards people who are living with mental health issues and engage in partnerships and collaborative activities with other agencies and organizations concerned with mental health.
The Bell Let’s Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk and Bell Let’s Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace programs. On September 22, Bell announced the extension of Bell Let’s Talk for a further 5 years and an increase in total funding to at least $100 million.
Northwestel Inc. services the largest operating area of any telecommunications company in the western hemisphere over the most remote and rugged terrain in Canada. It provides a complete range of voice, video and data solutions to residential and business customers in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta.
Learn More:
https://nb.cmha.ca/programs_services/living-life-to-the-full/
For more information, contact :
Ray Wells, Chair of the Mental Health Association of Yukon, (867) 332-4160
Juliette Anglehart-Zedda, (867) 335-6216
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