Gift from Bell Supports New Youth Outreach Program at Ontario Shores

WHITBY, ON, Oct. 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health (Ontario Shores Foundation) is pleased to announce a generous donation of $150,000 from the Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative to support the expansion of youth and adolescent care. The Bell Canada Youth Mental Health Clinic at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) will open this winter and provide outreach services to adolescents in need of specialized treatment.

"Ontario Shores Foundation is honoured to receive such a wonderful donation from Bell," says Neil Hannam, Executive Director, Ontario Shores Foundation.  "Bell shares our commitment to expand treatment and improve the mental health and well-being of our youth."

As part of Bell Let's Talk, Bell will donate $150,000 over two years, enabling the clinic to provide specialized treatment and intensive outreach for youth with complex mental health issues who may be reluctant to access services or require significant support for reintegration. In addition, it will provide intensive clinical support to patients in their natural setting and may include such interventions as outreach, psycho-education, medication monitoring, social skills training and establishing linkages to longer term supports. The clinic team will also provide intensive support for inpatient care such as medication monitoring, support for reintegration to their school community or alternative programming.

"Bell is very pleased to offer our support for a program that will make such a difference for young people coping with mental illness in the region," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "Taking care into the community is crucial not only in improving access but also in fighting the stigma that keeps so many people from getting the treatment they need."

As part of Ontario Shores' approach to outreach, an inter-professional team consisting of a nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist, and child & youth and social workers work together to provide enhanced care for youth.  Staff incorporate Ontario Shores' recovery model of care in all programs and services, develop individualized care plans and promote collaboration with staff, patients and families.

"With only one in five youth with mental health issues receiving care, this new outreach program will help increase access to specialized care so more youth receive the treatment they need," says Glenna Raymond, President and CEO, Ontario Shores "It is through collaboration and support from partners and leading organizations like Bell Canada that we will be able to provide enhanced treatment and care to youth and their families."

A key role for Ontario Shores is to provide assistance, teaching and support for community treatment teams who provide mental health care for youth and their families.   Ontario Shores will provide consultation to community support teams, assist with the development of individual care plans and provide ongoing mental health teaching.

For more information about the Clinic or to make a referral, please contact the Centralized Intake Department at 877.767.9642.

About Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health:
Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health (Ontario Shores Foundation) was created in 2009 to raise funds to support Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and its care, services, programs and support for patients and families.

Ontario Shores Foundation's fundraising is driven by the belief that Ontario Shores' mental health care, treatment, programs and services fill a key need in today's society. Community support is crucial to funding Ontario Shores' ongoing innovation, research and teaching, mental illness awareness and stigma reduction programs and mental health promotion as well as the renovation and building of recovery-focused spaces. Our donors are helping address mental health issues on local, provincial and national levels.

About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences:
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a leader in mental health care, providing a spectrum of specialized assessments and treatment services for people living with complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care, built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to advance the mental health care system.

About the Bell Let's Talk Initiative
The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let's Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs: Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV, Canada's #1 television network, and the country's most-watched specialty channels.

Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For Bell product and service information, please visit Bell.ca. For Bell Media, please visit BellMedia.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit BCE.ca.

SOURCE: BELL CANADA

Andrea Marshall
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences 
905-430-4055 ext. 6581
Cell: 905-439-0224
[email protected]

Albert Lee
Bell Media Relations
1-855-614-6604
[email protected]
@Bell_News