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October 24, 2017
Choices for Youth, Eating Disorders Foundation of NL and Kids Help Phone Receive Grants
Choices for Youth, Eating Disorders Foundation of NL and Kids Help Phone Receive Grants Totalling $60K in Support of Youth Mental Health Initiatives
Three organizations providing mental health intervention and prevention services and programs for youth in Newfoundland and Labrador are receiving funding support from Medavie Health Foundation. The funding is provided through the Foundation’s 2017 Grants Program, which supports targeted programs aligned with child and youth mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, and type 2 diabetes.
- Choices for Youth is using a $30,000 grant to help fund the Outreach and Youth Engagement Centrein supporting at-risk and homeless youth with referrals and access to mental health services. The Foundation also supported the Centre in 2016, bringing our funding to $60,000.
- A $10,000 grant to the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador will support Body Project Canada – Atlantic, a program designed to help reduce eating disorders and increase mental wellness. Targeted at young women, this evidence-based program will build capacity in schools and communities by using a “train-the-trainer” model.
- A $20,000 grant to Kids Help Phone is supporting BroTalk, focused on the mental and emotional health of young men, tackling issues such as stigma and gender stereotypes through content and direct connection to counselling services. This is the second year of funding for BroTalk, bringing our funding support to $40,000.
These are three of the 23 organizations receiving funding through Medavie Health Foundation’s 2017 Grants Program. Since late 2011, the Foundation has committed over $10.7 million to single and multi-year grant and partnership programs, some of which have yet to be announced.
Quick Facts
- A recent survey on youth homelessness in Canada revealed that 85% of respondents experience high symptoms of psychological distress; 42% reported at least one suicide attempt and 35% were hospitalized at least once because of an overdose.1
- Almost one in 10 people will experience an eating disorder during their lifetime. Among girls under age 20, one in six will develop an eating disorder. 2
- Teen guys are 19% less likely to discuss mental and emotional health issues and 23% less likely to discuss suicide and suicide related issues than girls.*
“Through our grants program, we fund grass-roots initiatives that are making a real difference to Canadians on an individual and community level. These organizations support individuals and their families impacted by mental health in receiving the help they need, while building capacity in our communities. This aligns with our vision, that all Canadians, especially young Canadians, have access to the supports and tools they need to live their best lives.”
Patty Faith, Executive Director, Medavie Health Foundation
“The Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is thrilled to welcome Medavie Health Foundation as a partner in the development and implementation of Body Project Canada in the Atlantic Provinces. Our primary goal is to reduce the number and severity of eating disorders. This financial support will make it possible for us to expand the reach of this well-researched and proven prevention program.”
Paul Thomey, Executive Director, Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Associated Links
Choices for Youth
Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
* Kids Help Phone
1 Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey
2 Beat Charity, 2013
Filed under Health Foundation
