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$1.8M for Shkagamik-Kwe's mental health, addictions programs

Announcement 'a big step toward getting help to people who are overlooked,' says Thibeault
090418_Shkagamik-Kwe_Announcement
Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault visited Shkagamik-kwe Health Centre in Sudbury on April 6 to announce $1.8 million in funding for mental health and addiction support programs offered at the health centre. (Supplied)

The province announced $1.8 million in funding April 6 to provide mental health and addiction support through the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre.

The funding is targeted to urban Indigenous people living in Sudbury and the surrounding area, as well as four First Nation communities in the region.
  
The funding will support year-round, clinical and cultural counselling, land-based healing, mentorship and other healing programs.

Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre’s expanded programs will include Indigenous knowledge provided through elders, knowledge keepers and other Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre staff.

“This announcement is a big step toward getting help to people who are overlooked far too often,” said Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault, in a press release.

“It is an honour to work with Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre to improve access to care and increase the involvement of Indigenous communities in developing and delivering health services.

“This funding is about more than treatment, it is about cultural counselling, land-based healing, mentorship, and understanding that our cultures have an important role in our health care.”

Ontario’s First Nations Health Action Plan is investing up to $222 million over three years (2016-17 to 2018-19) and $104.5 million annually thereafter to ensure that Indigenous people have access to more culturally appropriate care and improved outcomes, said the press release.


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