RBC announces $600,000 donation to children’s mental
health “first aid” program
Largest gift to date under RBC's Children's Mental Health Project will support a three-year, early intervention campaign
TORONTO, May 6, 2010— To commemorate National
Child and Youth Mental Health Day tomorrow, RBC is pleased
to announce its largest gift to date through the RBC Children's
Mental Health Project: a $600,000 pledge to support the "Healthy
Minds - Healthy Families" program offered by Healthy
Minds Canada (HMC), formerly known as the Canadian Psychiatric
Research Foundation.
"Healthy Minds - Healthy Families" is a three-year
program designed to help reduce the stigma associated with
mental health issues in children by educating and training
young people, families and communities. RBC's funding will
go toward developing and delivering "Mental Health First
Aid" training for adults who work directly with young
people to improve their ability to identify and respond to
signs and symptoms of mental health problems. HMC is partnering
with Boys
and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) to provide this important
training to 200 of BGCC's youth-serving staff across the country.
"I would like to thank RBC for its leadership and dedication
to improving the mental health of young people across this
country," said Michael Howlett, HMC Chair and Past President
and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada(MHCC). "This
important partnership with RBC will help us educate those
in a position to support children and youth at a crucial time
in their lives."
"Every day, caring staff at Boys and Girls Clubs across
the country work with young people to help them deal with
a range of complex challenges," said Pam Jolliffe, President
and CEO, BGCC. "Thanks to RBC's commitment, our staff
will receive this important "Mental Health First Aid"
training to better assist our children and youth in handling
these challenges, so they can grow up healthy and achieve
their dreams."
One-in-five Canadians will experience mental illness during
their lifetime, with many of these disorders beginning in
childhood or adolescence.
"Families are often reluctant to seek treatment if children
need mental health services because of the social stigma,
but if the signs of mental illness are recognized and addressed
early on, many children can lead normal, productive and happy
lives," 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. "The cost of
mental illness to our healthcare system is in the neighbourhood
of $8 billion, but the emotional strain on families is incalculable.
That's why RBC's support to help kick-start this critical
program is so significant."
RBC Children's Mental Health Project is a multi-year philanthropic
commitment to support early intervention and public education
programs in Canada. Launched in 2009, RBC has already donated
more than $3 million to 69 community-based and hospital programs
that are committed to improving the health and well-being
of Canadian children. Applications for funding are accepted
throughout the year.
About RBC
RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and
environmental leaders and is listed on the 2009-2010 Dow Jones
Sustainability World Index and the DJSI North American Index.
RBC has been named one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one
of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most
Socially Responsible Corporations and one of the Best Workplaces
in Canada. As one of Canada's largest corporate donors, RBC
supports a broad range of community initiatives, through donations,
sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2009, RBC
contributed more than $105 million to community causes worldwide,
through donations of more than $52.6 million, and an additional
$52.5 million in sponsorship of community events and national
organizations.
About Healthy
Minds Canada
HMC is a national charity that funds mental health research
and helps to improve service and support systems for the millions
of Canadians affected by mental health problems by education
families, teachers and service providers about mental health
research outcomes and best practices. HMC operates at arm's
length from the Mental
Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).
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Media contact:
Gillian McArdle, RBC Media Relations, 416 974-5506
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