RBC recognizes Mental Health Week with $1.5 million commitment
TORONTO, May 5, 2009 — To commemorate Mental
Health Week in Canada, RBC today launched the RBC Children's
Mental Health Project, a multi-year philanthropic commitment
to support early intervention and public education programs
in Canada. In 2009, the company will donate $1.5 million to
community-based and hospital programs that will improve the
health and well-being of Canadian children.
"One in five Canadians will experience mental illness
during their lifetime, and many of these disorders begin in
childhood or adolescence," said Dr. David Wolfe, RBC
chair in Children's Mental Health at the Child Youth and Family
Program at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. "If
the signs of mental illness are recognized and addressed early
on, many children can lead normal and productive lives. That's
why funding dedicated to early intervention, such as that
being offered by RBC, is so important."
"It is unacceptable that many Canadian children who
need mental health services never receive them, and that it's
often the social stigma associated with mental illness that
prevents family members from seeking treatment," said
Gordon M. Nixon, RBC president and CEO. "The cost of
mental illness to our healthcare system is in the neighbourhood
of $8 billion, but the emotional toll it takes on families
can be incalculable. We are determined to help reduce the
stigma of mental illness through the programs that we support."
So far in 2009, RBC has funded 15 community-based and hospital
programs across Canada dedicated to early intervention and
public education, totalling just over $1 million. The remaining
$500,000 in grants will be announced in October 2009, and
applications for funding are welcome.
RBC believes in building prosperity by contributing to the
communities in which we live and work. As one of Canada's
largest corporate donors, RBC supports a broad range of community
initiatives, through donations, sponsorships and employee
volunteer activities. RBC contributed $99 million to community
causes worldwide in 2008, through donations of more than $51.5
million, and an additional $47.5 million in sponsorship of
community events.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Jackie Braden, 416-974-2124
|
