Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the week of February 7 to 13, 2010, has been designated NWT Mental Wellness Week by the Northwest Territories branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Twenty percent of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime. The change in name from Mental Health Week to NWT Mental Wellness Week emphasizes how it is important not to stigmatize mental health issues and instead draw attention to how we are able to take positive steps towards our mental well-being.
Mr. Speaker, “Building Supports” is one of the key messages for Mental Wellness Week this year. The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to assisting residents in the NWT in making healthy choices and finding ways to address mental health and addiction issues. By building a strong personal support system for ourselves, we will increase our mental wellness and better cope with day-to-day life.
As outlined in a Foundation for Change Action Plan, we can each make healthy choices to build supports for ourselves, such as asking for help when we need it, making our relationships a priority or joining a group in which we share common interests.
Within the Health and Social Services authorities, the Community Counselling Program addresses the areas of mental health, addictions and family violence. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge all the front-line staff and workers, such as clinical supervisors, mental health and addictions counsellors and wellness workers, for their hard work and commitment in supporting the people of the NWT in their pursuit of wellness. They provide essential services such as counselling and referrals for both treatment and after-care.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has committed approximately $800,000 in suicide prevention initiatives this year, such as suicide prevention training programs and community-based projects such as self-esteem camps for youth.
Health and Social Services also funds the NWT Helpline through the NWT branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. The NWT Helpline provides toll-free service for those in distress from across the NWT. The NWT Helpline number in Yellowknife is 920-2121 or toll-free 1-800-661-0844.
The department is also proud to support new community-based, culturally relevant initiatives in the Beaufort-Delta region to address mental health and addictions issues. Mr. Speaker, they are working closely with the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation to support a three-year pilot project in the region in the communities of Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Fort McPherson.
This work is unique in that community-based organizations are being provided the opportunity to design their own Mental Health and Addictions Program based on their understanding of their need and their unique understanding of solutions that will work for them.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to extend a warm thank you to the delegates, who are Heath and Social Services employees appointed under the Mental Health Act, for volunteering their time to ensure the act is followed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
