First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC) is excited to share the announcement of a significant investment in youth mental health services. The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, announced a $59 million investment in the Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net) to enhance and expand integrated youth service networks. This funding includes $9 million over five years for provincial and Indigenous networks, $21 million to broaden IYS-Net’s reach, and $18 million for a data platform to improve service delivery.
FPWC is one of many partners involved in this work and we are pleased to participate and increase access to youth mental wellness services for First Nation, Inuit and Métis. We join our partner Thunderbird Partnership Foundation as well as other Indigenous scholars who are committed to improving mental wellness in FNIM youth in Canada.
This model of care hopes to transform how youth-focused mental health and substance use services are delivered across the country. FPWC recognizes the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing the challenges facing our youth today. Together, we can create stronger networks and communities equipped to support the next generation.
For full details and to learn more about how this impacts our communities, read the full release here.
Quotes:
“Supporting the mental health and well-being of everyone in Canada is a priority for the Government of Canada. Every person must have access to mental health and substance use resources where and when they need it. With this investment, we are building on the work, knowledge, and advice of youth, researchers, and service providers to build a support system for youth that can adapt to their needs for generations to come, right across the country.”
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
“This is an investment into the organizations and initiatives that meet Indigenous Peoples where they are, that are culturally relevant. It will help provide Indigenous youth a fair chance to succeed in life. It also brings us closer to a world where everyone can reach their full potential and fully participate in society.”
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services Canada
“When youth, families, care providers, researchers, and decision makers all work collaboratively, health care can be transformed: this is the principle at the heart of IYS-Net. These investments enable IYS networks to continuously learn from one another and optimize urgently needed functions to support youth directly in their communities. All Canadians will benefit when young people secure equitable access to the mental health, substance use, and health and social services they need.”
Dr. Tammy Clifford
Acting President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
“Improving engagement, experience and access to mental health and related services for youth, no matter where they live, is at the core of Integrated Youth Services. By investing in IYS-Net we are investing in youth and supporting enhanced collaboration across provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities. Together with our philanthropic partners we look forward to continuing to support IYS initiatives across the country, helping young people achieve their best possible outcomes.”
Ian Boeckh, President
Graham Boeckh Foundation
