By: Surjit Singh Flora
MISSISSAUGA: The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced funding to Indus Community Services to support mental health for youth in Peel Region’s South Asian communities.
Kamal Khera said, “ recent years have been difficult for the mental well-being of younger people across Canada, particularly newcomers who may face barriers in accessing mental health services that are culturally sensitive. Our government is taking action by providing crucial mental health support to newcomers, international students, and refugee youth and young adults in Peel Region’s South Asian communities. We are fully committed to prioritizing and supporting mental health initiatives for all Canadians, especially those in need.”
Young people deserve access to mental health and substance use supports when and where they need them. As we work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking steps to respond to the evolving needs and concerns of youth, including young people from immigrant and newcomer communities.
Today, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $1 million in funding to Indus Community Services. The funding will facilitate the provision of mental health support to newcomers, international students, and refugee youth and younger adults in Peel Region’s South Asian communities. The project “Boost Wellness of Transitional Age Youth” aims to support approximately 1,000 youth and younger adults through education and supportive services with an emphasis on reducing isolation, fostering social connections, and promoting mental health and healing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery.
Today’s investment builds on the historic announcement the Government of Canada made in February of $198.6 billion over 10 years to improve health care services for Canadians, reduce surgical backlogs, support health workers, and improve integrated mental health and substance use services. We will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that all people in Canada have the mental health and substance use supports they need to maintain their well-being now, and into the future.
Also, Carolyn Bennett Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health said, “As we work with provinces and territories to enhance our universal health care system and improve access to mental health and substance use supports, today’s funding will help build resilience in mental health for members of Peel’s South Asian communities. This includes people who’ve been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic such as newcomers, international students, refugee youth, and younger adults.”
While Gurpreet Malhotra CEO, Indus Community Services said, “The Boost Wellness project will enable Indus to promote mental health awareness and to provide much needed culturally appropriate mental health support to racialized youth who lack access to services in underserviced Peel. In addition, International Students and refugee youth often feel forgotten by those who bring them and face enormous personal pressures. The Federally funded Boost Wellness project will enable many local transitional aged young people and their families to regain a sense of balance and move forward to the success they deserve.”
