October 18, 2022
Manitoba Government and Council of the Federation Award $5,000 to KIDTHINK Children's Mental Health Centre in Recognition of Innovation and Dedication in Mental Health and Addictions Care
– – –Award Highlights Success in Non-Governmental, Private and Academic Sectors
The Manitoba government, in partnership with the Council of the Federation (COF), has selected KIDTHINK Children’s Mental Health Centre to receive the COF Award for Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions Care in Manitoba, Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today.
“Children’s mental health care needs are critical, perhaps more so than at any time in our province’s history, and I am pleased to recognize KIDTHINK for its innovative approach to providing early care and support,” said Guillemard. “Meeting the needs of children when they are young will help them for the rest of their lives. This award recognizes the vital importance of KIDTHINK in the province’s overall strategy to strengthen mental health services in Manitoba.”
The $5,000 award recognizes KIDTHINK’s evidence-based approach to delivering essential programs and initiatives to meet the mental-health needs of Manitoba children under the age of 12. KIDTHINK’s mental-health treatment centre and outreach program focus on therapy and well-being with treatment for anxiety, ADHD, depression, challenging behaviour, low self-esteem and learning challenges. The charitable organization’s model of care includes child therapists, parenting and family support, psychologists and treatment through a multidisciplinary team approach.
“KIDTHINK focuses on treating children 12 and under with mental illness because I have experienced first-hand how effective early intervention can change the trajectory of a child's life,” said Carmyn Aleshka, founder and CEO, KIDTHINK Children’s Mental Health Centre. “With early evidence-based treatment for the child, family and their surrounding community, it has been proven that children can thrive and therefore be less of a burden on the school system, medical system and justice system.”
KIDTHINK’s clinical services include psychological or mental health assessments, individual child, family and parent/caregiver treatment, parent/caregiver capacity and skill-building or coaching, group therapy/intervention for children and caregivers, psycho-education to care providers, system/resource navigation and psychological or psychiatric consultation.
The COF award has one winner in each province and territory and provides recognition and support for non-governmental, community, private-sector, academic and Indigenous-led initiatives. The program is not meant to reward programs or services that are wholly funded and run by the Manitoba government.
Nominees for the award were evaluated based on the following:
- the anticipated or actual level of innovation related to the initiative, project, study or program;
- the anticipated or actual success of the initiative, project, study or program in reaching its stated goals/objectives; and
- an assessment of the initiative, project, study or program's perceived or actual overall benefit (e.g., larger number of people supported/reached, better outcomes, improved effectiveness, cost savings or efficiencies achieved, etc.).
The award aligns with Manitoba Mental Health and Community Wellness’ five-year strategy, A Pathway to Mental Health and Community Wellness: A Roadmap for Manitoba, which establishes a plan to improve wellness, mental health, substance use and addictions services and programs across the province.
COF includes all 13 provincial and territorial premiers and enables premiers to work collaboratively, form closer ties, foster constructive relationships among governments and show leadership on important issues that matter to Canadians.
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