THUNDER BAY – Bell Let’s Talk Day has paid off for a local charity.
Our Kids Count on Thursday announced it is the recipient of a $25,000 Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund grant, which will be used to provide additional group counselling in Thunder Bay. Among those the charity intends to target with the windfall are groups for men, post-natal parents, youth, as well as those experiencing loss and in need of suicide loss support.
It marks the second time the organization has received the community fund grant, which is paid for by money raised on the popular Bell Let’s Talk Day.
They received their first grant in 2019 to help cover costs associated with the Our Kids Count Let’s Talk walk-in counselling service.
“Our Kids Count participants have clearly identified the need for mental-health supports,” said Kathryn Hughes, executive director at OKC.
“Our Kids Count is thrilled to be receiving its second Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund grant, which allows our very important partnership with (the) Catholic Family Development Centre’s team to meet those needs in a variety of ways. During a pandemic we are exploring new ways to continue to serve those who need support.”
Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let’s Talk, in a release said the money is going to a worthy outlet.
“The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund supports a diverse range of mental health organizations in all regions of Canada, like Our Kids Count, that are taking action to improve access to mental health care and working to make a positive difference for people living with mental illness and their families,” Deacon said.
The walk-in counselling service is on hold during the pandemic, but virtual and phone sessions are available.
And it’s clearly needed, said Jack Cleverdon, executive director at the Catholic Family Development Centre.
“There has been an increase in the number of people calling to access counselling services and to avoid having people on waiting lists, we’ve hired more staff to meet the need,” Cleverdon said, adding about 60 per cent of the calls they receive deal with anxiety, depression and isolation during the COVID-19 era.
“We’re also seeing an increase in calls concerning grief including loss of jobs, not being able to attend post-secondary courses, and calls from people struggling with the loss of pre-pandemic everyday routines and activities. The group sessions will focus on addressing these and other mental health topics.”
The grants will also help create coping kits, a link for support until counseling sessions can begin. They’re aimed at children and youth as well as adults, and include colouring paper, pencil crayons, mints, candles, a stress ball, a journal, meditations and positive affirmations.
“(It’s) something to stimulate and relax all your senses,” said Margaret Hajdinjak, a program manager at Our Kids Count.
Counselling services will also be offered to participants of the Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds in-school mentoring program for girls aged 11 to 14, providing answer to questions mentors might not be trained to answer.
“Many questions regarding family relationships, mental health and friendships have come up during Go Girls! Sessions and having a counsellor available within the program will help these young girls get the answers they need,” said Kimberly Russell, Our Kids Count’s Big Brothers Big Sisters co-ordinator.
Bell Let’s Talk Day is Thursday. Bell donates five cents each time #BellLetsTalk is used on social media, users watch the official video or company customers send a text or make a phone call during the day.
