Mar 23, 2015

Children, youth and families currently waitlisted for mental health services across Newfoundland and Labrador will soon be able to access mental health programming online and through telehealth. The new service begins in May and will be offered through a partnership with the Strongest Families Institute as a complement to existing programming offered by the regional health authorities.

“When it comes to helping children, no family should ever feel alone. This partnership with the Strongest Families Institute provides an immediate and proven support system for children and youth who are dealing with mild to moderate behavioural and mental health issues. This initiative will also significantly relieve waitlists for mental health services now and into the future."

- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
The Strongest Families program provides care to families by teaching skills through a distance coaching approach over the phone and online in the comfort and privacy of their homes, providing family-centred care to meet each family's unique needs.

“Our partnership with the Strongest Families Institute represents our continued commitment to fostering safe, caring and inclusive learning environments for all children and youth in the province. This is a very positive offering for students and families facing these types of issues and will equally benefit residents in both rural and urban regions across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

The only service of its kind in Canada, the Strongest Families Institute’s programming is being delivered in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and by the Atlantic Military Family Resource Centre. The program represents an investment of $300,000 from the Provincial Government’s E-Mental Health and Addictions Awareness Program.

“At the Strongest Families Institute we have been successfully implementing this program across Canada for a number of years now. We provide a creative, cost-effective solution for delivering care by ensuring families receive help quickly and at convenient times. By addressing mental health and behavioural issues early, we can head off potential difficulties for youth and families down the road."
- Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie, President and Chief Operating Officer, Strongest Families Institute

The Strongest Families Institute is a not-for-profit corporation providing telehealth and e-health services to children and families seeking help for mental health and other behavioural issues.

“We welcome this partnership between the Provincial Government and the Strongest Families Institute. The Strongest Families program not only benefits children and youth in the classroom, but at home and throughout their lives as well. Prevention and early intervention are key components of making this a reality."
- Sheldon Pollett, Interim Chairperson, Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council and Executive Director, Choices for Youth

The Strongest Families Institute has been nationally recognized for social innovation by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (2012) and the Ernest C. Manning Foundation Encana Principal Award (2013).

“This innovative distance education parent-coaching program certainly has a place on the mental health services continuum of care within our province. Coaching parents through the basics of positive behavioural intervention in a timely and convenient manner will not only benefit many children and youth within the home, but within the classroom as well. "
- Angela Wilmott, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Counsellors’ and Psychologists’ Association

The Provincial Government invests approximately $100 million annually for mental health and addictions programs and services delivered by the four regional health authorities.

QUICK FACTS
• Children, youth and families currently waitlisted for mental health services across the province will soon be able to access mental health programming online and through telehealth.
• The Strongest Families Institute program is the only one of its kind in Canada and supports children and youth ages three to 17 and their families.
• The program includes coaching online and by phone, skill-based workbooks, online components and parental group teleconferencing.
• The institute’s programming is being used in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and with the Atlantic Military Family Resource Centre.
• The institute has been nationally recognized for social innovation by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (2012) and the Ernest C. Manning Foundation Encana Principal Award (2013).

- 30 -

Media contacts:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

Blair Medd
Director of Communications
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-0048, 631-8465
blairmedd@gov.nl.ca

Helene Duffy
Executive Assistant
Strongest Families Institute
902-442-9520
admin@strongestfamilies.com

Ayon Shahed
Senior Fund Developer and Communications Manager
Choice for Youth
709-754-0446
ashahed@choicesforyouth.ca

Angie Wilmott
President
Newfoundland and Labrador
Counsellors’ and Psychologists’ Association
709-261-2360, 535-6929
angiewilmott@nlesd.ca