Paul Heinrich, President & CEO, NBRHC, Mike Harris, Honourary Chair, Bell Charity Golf Gala, Peter Minogue, President, Osprey Links Golf Club, Guido Verrillo, Chair, NBRHC Foundation, Gislain Ouellette, Crisis Intervention Worker and Case Manager, Mattawa General Hospital. Submitted photo.
Wednesday, golfers and sponsors came together at the Osprey Links Golf Gala, presented by Bell Let’s Talk, to raise more than $25,000 to support child and adolescent mental health at North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC).
“Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to support the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit at NBRHC,” said Celine Chranofsky, Director-Sales, Bell in a news release. “This program will help to improve access to mental health care for youth in the community and provide much-needed help for young people struggling with mental illness.”
Paul Heinrich, NBRHC President & CEO, shared his gratitude with Bell, Osprey Links and all the golfers who came out to support this program. “Creating this therapeutic environment costs $600,000 and is providing families with increased access to the mental health services they need closer to home. Your support is crucial for the Health Centre to be able to provide youth in Temiskaming, Parry Sound, Muskoka and Nipissing Districts with high quality specialized mental health care. Their lives depend on the services offered at our Hospital,” he added.
Gislain Ouellette, Crisis Intervention Worker and Case Manager at Mattawa General Hospital, shared his story of struggle, recovery and success. “I am passionate about my work with mental health, because not long ago, I was on the other side, seeking assistance myself,” he shared. “Like me, most patients I work with experience the onset of their mental illness during adolescence. Like any disease, recognizing symptoms early is important for diagnosis and treatment. The earlier a child can be diagnosed, the sooner he or she can go on to lead a meaningful and productive life. This is why your support today is so important,” he says.
“Thanks to Bell, Osprey Links and all the sponsors and volunteers who came out today, we are closer to our $600,000 goal and have built awareness around this important service for youth,” shared Tammy Morison, President & CEO of the NBRHC Foundation. “The therapeutic environment will provide families with increased access to the mental health care close to home.”
Mental illness in youth is one of the most disabling illnesses worldwide. It is estimated that 10 to 20 per cent of Canadian children are affected by mental illness [source]. It can be treated effectively and yet, only 1 in 5 children and adolescents that need this care receive it. NBRHC serves a population of over 42,000 children from birth to age 18 in the region of northeast Ontario. Fundraising for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit is ongoing.
