Sweeping for change

Children with mental health issues need help immediately.

Right now in Thunder Bay, youth suffering from mental illness have to wait up to nine months before they can access the services of the Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay. But foundation fundraising co-ordinator Stephanie Bateman said the first Kurl 4 Kids women’s funspiel can help.

The first of what is expected to be an annual event took place at the Fort William Curling Club Friday, raising $8,300 for the foundation. Bateman said the event is about raising funds but also having fun.

"It’s to improve that access and get more programs and services running," Bateman said. "It really it doesn’t matter if you’re curling for the first time or have been for the last 25 years, everyone’s going to have a fair chance at this."

More than 60 women in 14 teams hit the ice Friday. Batemen said the foundation, which serviced more than 2,000 children in Thunder Bay last year, plans to hold the event again next year.

The foundation also has services for families affected by children with mental illness, Bateman said.

"Not only does it affect them, it affects their families as well and all the people who surround them in their lives it’s really, really important," she said.

It also has public education and prevention programs she added.

"We’re trying to eradicate the stigmas associated with mental health," Bateman said.