Investing in Mental Health Research and Supports for Ottawa
Posted on Monday, April 27th, 2015
Algonquin College receives over $650,000 in support of a Harm Reduction strategy to enable the development of a campus wide, comprehensive Harm Reduction Strategy related to drug and alcohol use.
As part of the 2015 Ontario Budget, Ottawa’s Liberal MPPs on Friday announced an investment of $657,225 over two years in a new project at Algonquin College.
This investment will improve student access to high-quality mental health services, that will feature specialized targeted support for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. Algonquin College, in partnership with local organizations, is working together to develop and implement an awareness, education and harm-reduction strategy focused on drug use and abuse. It will help ensure that students at Algonquin College in Ottawa can obtain the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
The College partnered with community service providers Rideauwood Addictions and Family Services, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, and Tungasuvvingat Inuit to submit a proposal to the province’s Mental Health Innovation Fund, resulting in this funding.
The proposal includes awareness, risk, and harm reduction strategies, substance abuse treatment resources, and Algonquin employee training. The emphasis is on creating digital resources to ensure the sustainability of these programs beyond the two years.
The province additionally announced a $2 million grant to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre’s Institute for Mental Health Research towards the purchase of a Positron Emission Tomography – Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET-MRI) Brain Imaging System.
“Through this harm reduction initiative, Algonquin College’s goal is to further raise awareness, and provide outreach to current and incoming students with addiction and related mental health challenges. We thank the Ontario government for their support of our students’ well-being.”
– Cheryl Jensen, President of Algonquin College
“The Government of Ontario is committed to innovations in mental health care. The top-flight research carried out by The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) and this new support for Algonquin College will go far in bringing light and hope to people living with mental health issues.”
– Bob Chiarelli, MPP, Ottawa-West Nepean