Province Funds Mental Health Projects

Six volunteer groups will use provincial funding, announced today, Feb.10, to support people with mental illnesses and community residents who help with their care.

"These are meaningful local projects that will provide direct benefits to Nova Scotian families," said Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald, on behalf of Health Minister Jane Purves. "Our government's mental health plan recognizes the importance of community awareness and support programs. We also want to make sure that people who use mental health services play a role in helping care providers set priorities. Our $150,000 commitment this year is certainly a step in the right direction."

The six projects that will receive one-year government funding include:

• public education on eating disorders -- $31,000, Eating Disorders Community Support, Yarmouth, South West Nova District Health Authority;
• a mental health advocacy skills program -- $40,000, Strengthen Our Sustainability, Inverness, Cape Breton District Health Authority;
• postpartum depression support -- $11,700, Parent Resource Centre, Dartmouth, Capital Health District;
• schizophrenia education kit -- $40,000, Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, Dartmouth, Capital Health District;
• parents' resource library -- $15,500, Parents' Place, Yarmouth, South West Nova District Health Authority;
• advocacy and leadership skills program -- $11,700, Depression, Manic Depression and Family Support/Self-Help Society (DMAFS) of Nova Scotia, Digby, South West Nova District Health Authority.

"After all that we have experienced and learned as parents of a young woman who was consumed by a terrible eating disorder, my wife Kathy and I are very pleased that our project can go forward," said Jim Stockman, of the Eating Disorders Community Support group in Yarmouth.

Greg Buckler, co-ordinator of DMAFS in Digby, said the funding helps groups deliver leadership skills, tools and resources that "mean one thing -- personal empowerment."

"We're very pleased that the province recognizes the importance of preventative and proactive measures in mental health," said Heather McLennan of Inverness. "Our goal is to help create healthier communities, especially in rural parts of the province."

"I want to thank these volunteers for their leadership and vision," said Mr. MacDonald. "All Nova Scotians want a healthier, more prosperous future. And these projects move us closer to that goal. I encourage people to submit proposals next year as we build on the work already started."

The department invited proposals from community groups in September 2002. Seventy-two organizations asked for information kits. Twenty-three applied for funding. Mental health staff, with support from the district health authorities, then chose six finalists. Each finalist must complete a formal evaluation to make sure the projects deliver the benefits that were identified in the application process.

The $150,000 funding is in the department's 2002-03 budget.