CRCC Receives $20,000 Grant From Bell Let's Talk For Therapy For Trauma Survivors

The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund has given a grant of $20,000 to The Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) to provide therapy for trauma survivors.

Photo courtesy of the CCRC.

Types of therapy used for treatment include the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) to help people cope with a variety of psychological issues, particularly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related symptoms. Developed in the late 1980s, EMDR has been used effectively to help those impacted by distressing symptoms of PTSD.

“CCRC sees a lot of clients presenting with symptoms of PTSD, many of whom have no other option for professional counselling services,” said Kirsten Armbrust, CCRC executive director. “Support from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund allows us to see these clients sooner, getting them the help they need quickly.”

“Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to provide a $20,000 Community Fund grant to CCRC to support people in Peterborough suffering from trauma,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund supports organizations that are working to create positive change to improve access to mental health care, supports and services for more Canadians in communities around the country.”

Funding from this grant has allowed the CCRC to reallocate our EMDR trained counsellors to those who would most benefit from EMDR treatment.

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CMHA Calling For Funding Increase Towards Mental Health and Addictions On Bell Let’s Talk Day

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is calling on Ontario for a substantial, immediate and ongoing base funding increase for the mental health and addictions sector on this Bell Let’s Talk Day announced on Tuesday.

One in Four Ontarians have sought mental health support during the pandemic. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Bell Let’s Talk Day — on Wednesday — is focused on committing to significant action to create positive change in mental health and addictions care according to a press release. Ontario’s CMHAs are calling for a base budget increase from the government to improve the community mental health and addictions sector.

“We need critical infrastructure investments to maintain the highest quality of care for the individuals we serve,” says Mark Graham, CMHA HKPR CEO. “But decades of underfunding and the increased need for service are having devastating impacts on how we can best support people in need.”

CMHA says every branch needs at least an eight per cent increase or roughly under $30 million total to meet the current and growing demand for mental health and addiction services.

The funding aids CMHAs in operating costs (that increase annually), provide more services and reduces wait times according to their press release.

“CMHAs reorganize resources and redeploy staff, but struggle to meet increased demand in service with our current budget allocations,” said Graham. “We simply can’t do more, or provide even the same level of service, when we aren’t resourced properly.”

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Tweet & Text-Up: Fleming College Promoting Mental Health Awareness Through Bell Let’s Talk

Staff and students at Fleming College will promote the importance of mental health awareness through the Bell Let’s Talk initiative on Wednesday, January 28th.

The Counselling department, along with faculty and students in the college’s community services programs, are inviting students and employees to join in the conversation about mental health at a special tweet and text-up that will take place at the Sutherland Campus.

Bell will donate five cents to mental health initiatives for every tweet, text, email or long distance phone call made through the Bell network. All who would like to participate at Fleming are invited to wear a blue shirt and stand in the main foyer at 11:55 a.m. for two minutes of texting and tweeting.

“We would like to raise money for mental health awareness," says Fleming Counsellor Anita Arnold. "Myths about mental illness contribute to stigma so awareness is critical to dispel those myths and end stigma. Be aware of the language we use to describe mental health issues. Be kind to those who struggle with or have been affected by mental illness. Listen, ask questions and, most importantly, talk about it."

For more information on Bell Let's Talk Day, click here.

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Art For Awareness Special Screening Of 'Erasing The Stigma' On Bell Let's Talk Day

This Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 pm at Market Hall, Art For Awareness will be screening the DVD of their recent, original multimedia dance production Erasing the Stigma for local organizations. Art for Awareness (AFA) is a group of dedicated people committed to producing high-quality theatre with a social message. Erasing the Stigma addresses depression, anxiety disorders, postpartum depression, schizophrenia, addiction, eating disorders, the culture of technology/social media, suicide, the justice system, coping mechanisms, support workers, medication, and building hope through the use of real testimony via video clips, live music, original choreography and spoken word. The show seeks to normalize the struggles faced by people living with mental health issues in an educational, entertaining, and compassionate way. For more info on Art For Awareness and Erasing the Stigma DVD, email here. We covered Erasing the Stigma last year here.

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