Manitoba Government Investing to Expand Mental Health Services for Children, Youth

As part of its commitment to promote mental health and wellness and to increase access to early intervention and suicide prevention activities, the Manitoba government is investing almost $3 million in new and ongoing funding in mental health service improvements for children and youth across the province, Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Janice Morley-Lecomte announced today during Mental Health Week.

“Mental health care providers and organizations are commended for their dedication to children, youth and families affected by mental health issues and for the invaluable roles they play in Manitoba’s health-care system,” said Morley-Lecomte. “Children and youth who struggle with their mental health are valued and Manitoba’s future is brighter because of them. In addition to Mental Health Week from May 1 to 7, May 7 is National Child and Youth Mental Health Day — a day adults stand together to tell children and youth: you matter, you are loved and we care about you.”

Discussions about mental health reduce stigma for those dealing with such issues and encourage help-seeking behaviours, the minister noted, adding they also bring important opportunities to share with children, youth and their families that quality, evidence-based and caring support is available.

These Manitoba government investments have led to enhancements of three children and youth mental health programs or services that will improve access to youth-centred, family-connected supports.

Huddle NorWest in Winnipeg recently celebrated its grand reopening at a new, larger location that can provide increased mental health and addictions services, enhanced training and education opportunities and expanded community programming. The Department of Mental Health and Community Wellness has provided $600,000 to support the new location of Huddle NorWest, in addition to ongoing annual funding of $385,000 for this Huddle facility.

Huddle sites across Manitoba are an innovative initiative that provides a continuum of mental health, substance use and addictions services, primary care, Indigenous programming, peer support and social services on a walk-in basis for children and young adults aged 12 to 29 with no referral required. These services are provided in an accessible, inclusive, one-stop space, making it easy for youth to access the help they need, the minister said.

“Huddle NorWest is truly excited to provide a safe, bright, welcoming and culturally accessible space for youth,” said Nancy Heinrichs, executive director, NorWest Co-op Community Health. “We are witnessing a huge increase and great need for youth mental health supports in our community. Huddle NorWest provides integrated care, counselling, wellness, addictions and employment supports to reduce barriers that prevent youth from fully participating in school, work and community.”

As well, the Child and Youth Mental Health Services initiative at Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg is a multi-staged project that includes the hiring of specialized staff, construction of new physical space and development of service pathways to reduce wait times for children and youth seeking mental health supports. The Manitoba government has so far invested $4.2 million over three years in this expansion and will invest $2 million annually to support the increased services.

Children and youth aged five to 17 who present at HSC’s Children’s Hospital emergency department receive supports that facilitate assessment and matching to appropriate mental health programs and services.

The additional investment will continue to support increased capacity and reduced wait times in multiple programs including:

• Intensive Child and Adolescent Treatment Services;
• Outpatient Mental Health Services;
• Anxiety Disorders Services for Children and Youth; and
• Child and Adolescent Rapid Assessment Clinic.

“Thanks to today’s investment from the province, HSC will have improved facilities with specialized staff, which will increase capacity and reduce the wait times for children and youth in need of mental health services,” said Val Mondor, director of health services, mental health, HSC Winnipeg. “This investment is pivotal in ensuring more young patients and families experiencing challenges will have more timely access to the supports they need.”

In addition, the Manitoba government provides $600,000 annually to the Strongest Families Institute to operate its e-mental health programs for children, youth and adults across Manitoba. The Strongest Families Institute provides free, bilingual, proven skill-based programs to families of children aged three to 17 with mild to moderate mental health and well-being concerns such as anxiety, low mood/depression, disruptive behaviour and/or nighttime bedwetting, the minister noted. Also, the Strongest Families ICAN adult anxiety, depression and stress-relief program is freely available to parents, caregivers and adults. Strongest Families telephone support coaches help equip children, youth and adults with valuable coping skills.