February 17, 2022
Manitoba Government Invests $2 Million in Post-Pandemic Mental Health and Addictions Recovery Supports to be Awarded Through United Way
To help address the growing mental health, addictions and recovery needs of people across the province, the Manitoba government has partnered with United Way Winnipeg to invest a total of $4.9 million to support 45 community-based initiatives, Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today, noting this represents a provincial contribution of $2 million and $2.9 million from United Way Winnipeg donors.
“We are committed to rapidly and effectively improving access and co-ordination of mental health and addictions services in Manitoba and this can happen only with a co-ordinated and holistic approach,” said Guillemard. “Together with many community agencies, we are already doing so much valuable work to make a lasting difference in peoples’ lives. This investment will mean we can do even more together to address the critical need for accessible, culturally sensitive and timely mental health and addictions services for Manitobans who need them.”
The Manitoba government has engaged with about 3,000 Manitobans to receive a broad range of perspectives on the most necessary post-pandemic mental health and addictions recovery services, programs and supports to serve Manitobans in their lives at home, at work and in their communities.
This funding partnership enables community-based organizations to receive up to $225,000 over a three-year period to address significant needs such as counselling wait times and culturally relevant mental health and addictions service provision.
“There are many in our community who struggle with their mental health and we know the pandemic has triggered new challenges for others,” said Connie Walker, president and CEO, United Way Winnipeg. “First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to United Way Winnipeg donors who care about everyone who lives here and rallied to make this investment possible. Given the tremendous need, we are pleased to have partnered with the province so even more people will have access to supports and services. By working together, united as a community, we are able to go further toward our shared goal of leaving no one behind.”
The new funding is expected to increase capacity and offer better support to all Manitobans, but especially to marginalized people who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The announcement of this investment has come immediately after the launch of A Pathway to Mental Health and Community Wellness: A Roadmap for Manitoba, the Manitoba government’s five-year plan for improving wellness, mental health, substance use and addictions services and programs in the province.
For more information on A Pathway to Mental Health and Community Wellness: A Roadmap for Manitoba visit https://gov.mb.ca/mh/roadmap.html.
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