MP’s across our region, including Nickel Belt’s Marc G. SerrĂ© and Nipissing-Timiskaming’s Anthony Rota, announced over $215,000 in funding to the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario today.
The two were in Sudbury for the announcement, which officials say will support the scaling up and expansion of the “Y Mind” and “Mind Medicine” which are touted as evidence-based, youth-informed, early intervention programs.
Officials add the programs are intended for young people aged 13-30 who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression and aim to support the development of effective coping skills.
“Y Mind” will introduce them to tools and connect them with peers and professionals, with “Mind Medicine” being an adapted version specifically for young Indigenous people and will be implemented in partnership with organizations that serve those communities.
SerrĂ© says the programs are profoundly valuable and the people of Northeastern Ontario are in good hands thanks to the Y’s dedicated team. He adds the funding will assist youth in our region disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rota says the program is a step in the right direction to help young people who were disproportionally impacted by the pandemic get the resources they need and remove barriers to mental health support.
