Algoma University, Shingwauk Teaching Lodge mental health, addiction services boosted
Algoma University and Shingwauk Teaching Lodge will tap into provincial dollars earmarked for heightened mental health and addictions services in primary care.
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities announced Thursday $5 million spread across 10 post-secondary institutions for mental health projects geared to provide learners in underserved communities in northeastern, eastern and south-central Ontario, with care from mental health professionals.
Algoma University, in partnership with the Mental Health Association Cochrane-Timiskaming, received support to fund mental health professionals for in-school care instead of referring students to aid outside of the region.
Shingwauk Teaching Lodge, in partnership with Shingwauk Anishinaabe Student Association, 'mninoeyaa Aboriginal Mental Health Services and Batchewana Health Centre, received help to hire diverse primary care providers for the Indigenous institute, including traditional Indigenous healers and counselors to provide mental health support.
Funding will support hiring nurse practitioners, social workers, psychotherapists, traditional counsellors and healers, to provide mental health and addictions services. Funding will also fill “large gaps” in services and even provide clinical mental health care in places where none currently exists, a release from the province said.
"This is Mental Health Week in Canada, and our government recognizes how essential mental health care is in setting postsecondary students up for success.
“This is Mental Health Week in Canada, and our government recognizes how essential mental health care is in setting postsecondary students up for success,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, in the release. “This funding will ensure those students in underserved communities can receive the high-quality mental health care they need, directly from their school.”'
To ensure each project meets the “unique and diverse” needs of their students, institutions are working in partnership with community-based, non-profit organizations and local post-secondary institutions to develop and deliver mental health projects.
Other schools supported include Algonquin College, College Boréal, Niagara College, Nipissing University, Iohahiio Akwesasne Education and Training Institute, and Six Nations Polytechnic.