FOR RELEASE
September 14, 2016
Recipients of second Mental Wellness Innovation Fund Award named
WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon and its First Nations partners are awarding a further $390,000 in Mental Wellness Innovation Fund support to 10 community projects.
“This second intake of the Mental Wellness Innovation Fund has been very successful,” Minister of Health and Social Services Mike Nixon said. “The projects we are funding will focus on the needs of people across their lifespan and on building capacity in the communities, and I look forward to seeing the results.”
Ten of the 25 applicants to the second intake of the innovation fund will receive funding. Additionally, another four projects focusing on workforce capacity-building will receive funding from the Department of Health and Social Services. All proposals were reviewed by a committee consisting of representatives from the Council of Yukon First Nations, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Yukon government.
“Mental health is a huge priority for First Nations in Yukon,” Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston said. “These important funds will help address mental health issues facing First Nations and support capacity development in each community to better serve our people.”
The Mental Wellness Innovation Fund was identified as part of Forward Together: the Yukon Mental Wellness Strategy 2016-2026. The first funding period ended June 30, with 33 applications submitted for consideration. Twelve projects received a total of $620,000 in funding.
“Kwanlin Dün First Nation believes the Yukon-wide Mental Health Strategy must support land-based, culturally relevant healing that reflects the needs of Indigenous people,” Kwanlin Dün First Nation acting Chief Alicia Vance said. “Kwanlin Dün will continue to support initiatives that meet the mental wellness needs of Yukon communities and our citizens.”
The fund is intended to: allow organizations to test out new models of delivering services that promote wellness; build capacity in Yukon to deliver effective services; learn from promising and emerging practices that promote wellness; increase coordination and collaboration among care providers; and allow communities to take action on issues of particular priority in their community.
Attached is a list of the 10 recipients of the Mental Wellness Innovation Fund.
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Contact:
Michael Edwards
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7910
michael.edwards@nullgov.yk.ca
Marcelle Dubé
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-3010
marcelle.dube@nullgov.yk.ca
Stephanie Brown
Communications, Council of Yukon First Nations
867-393-9200 ext. 223
communications.officer@nullcyfn.net
Marie-Louise Boylan
Communications, Kwanlin Dün First Nation
867-633-7800 ext. 112
marie-louise.boylan@nullkdfn.net
News release #16-319-for electronic version, click here.