View From the Legislature

Society has, as a whole, become much more aware of the issues surrounding mental health and addiction over the last decade. Not only are mental health and addiction challenges more likely to be recognized, there is a greater focus on how to help those who are struggling. It is also recognized that there is no area of society nor any community that is not touched in some way by these challenges. And as we learn more about mental health and addiction we learn that they are often linked.

The challenges that happen in society as a whole are also generally reflected in our classrooms. And while it is not possible to establish a parallel healthcare system within schools, it is important to provide resources in an effort to manages challenges early.

On Monday of this week our government was pleased to announce an investment of $4.4 million to improve support in schools for mental health and addiction services. This is a pilot project that is being launched in three divisions, Portage, Brandon and Hanover. I appreciated being able to announce at the Clearspring Middle School in Steinbach that the Hanover School Division will be part of the pilot project that will see funds being made available to hire support facilitators, psychiatric nurses and addiction support workers. While we are fortunate to live in caring and supportive communities in the southeast, there are many young people who struggle with issues around mental health and addiction and these supports are designed to help them and to assist those who are working within our schools.

I was pleased to be joined by representatives of the Hanover School Division at the announcement and appreciate their work in making the case for this additional support.

Monday’s announcement builds upon previous announcements that our government has made related to mental health and addictions. I was also honoured to be able to announce recently funding for Project 11, which is an initiative of the True North Youth Foundation. This school-based mental health promotion program is offered to students from kindergarten to Grade 8 and the virtual and in-person lessons and activities help students become aware and understand mental wellness.

Project 11 is named after former professional hockey player Rick Rypien who took his own life after struggling with mental health challenges for many years. The Project 11 program is offered in Hanover and the $621,000 in support provided by the Province of Manitoba will benefit an additional 5,000 students across the province.

There is no easy or perfect solution to dealing with the mental health and addiction challenges. However, these additional local supports are an important step in both acknowledging the problem and seeking solutions.