Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County Branch Receives Grant to Kick-Off Mental Health Week

Funds Help Expand Local Youth Mental Health Services,
Public Education and Community Awareness

Simcoe County, ON, May 1, 2009 – As part of its National Mental Health Week kick-off, youth supported by the services of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Simcoe County Branch were joined by Minister Aileen Carroll, MPP Barrie, and other community guests as Baxter Corporation (Canada) presented CMHA Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Roxborough, a cheque for $80,600, on behalf of The Baxter International Foundation. This grant will help fund a Youth Education Outreach Worker, to expand youth mental health services, public education and community awareness in Simcoe County.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five people will experience a mental health difficulty in their lifetime and 20 percent of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their life time. Education is vital to breaking down the stigma associated with mental health and mental illness.

The Youth Education Outreach Worker that is being funded by the grant from The Baxter International Foundation will provide education through presentations to schools, community groups and businesses. This new position will help to meet the existing education needs of Simcoe County and also work to further broaden delivery and awareness through a marketing and promotion initiative. The Youth Education Outreach Worker will also develop Youth Specific Illness Kits, with information on branch services, mental health, mental illnesses, self injury, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and stress.

“Education to the vulnerable population of students and youth is vital to their recovery and understanding of mental illness, and this grant from Baxter’s foundation will help us broaden our outreach efforts. Receiving information early will help give them the hope, tools and resources necessary to live a meaningful life,” says Aleta Armstrong, Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County Branch.

“Baxter Corporation is to be commended for their generous donation,” says Aileen Carroll, MPP Barrie. “This gift is an excellent way to initiate National Mental Health Week, a week that raises awareness and educates the public on mental health issues.”

Since the inception of the CMHA, Simcoe County Branch in 1960, one of its focuses has been on education and community awareness. Demands for public education and presentations about mental health and mental illness across Simcoe County have grown, with increasing requests from schools, students and faculty to provide a range of information including signs, and information on myths and self-care.

The grant to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County Branch was issued by Baxter’s philanthropic arm - The Baxter International Foundation, which helps organizations expand access to healthcare around the world. In 2008, the foundation supported 89 organizations in 20 countries including four in Canada. Specifically, grant awards will help increase health and nutrition services for children, provide mental health services to the homeless, expand training for healthcare professionals addressing public health needs, and improve access to healthcare for children, the uninsured and the elderly.

“Every day at Baxter we work to manufacture products that help save and sustain lives. Baxter’s charitable giving activities, whether through grants or donations, or by volunteering our time, is another way we can help people within our communities and make a positive impact on their health and well-being,” says Barbara Leavitt, President, Baxter Corporation. “As a longstanding local employer with deep roots in this community, we feel great pride to be able to help the CMHA broaden its outreach and impact.”