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Sun Life has donated $10,000 to Foundry Kelowna’s mobile health and wellness unit after learning COVID-19 has negatively impacted the mental health of young people in Canada.
A Sun Life survey from the summer found that 68% of young Canadians, between the ages of 18 and 34, say their mental health has been negatively affected by COVID-19. The number was higher in B.C., registering at 71%.
“We are excited to be working with the Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna, a very important United Way partner and operator of Foundry Kelowna, a wellness centre where young people can find hope, help and support when and where they need it,” Sun Life’s Kelowna district director Craig Pelletier said in a press release. “Working closely with advisors every day, I see first-hand the impact that the pandemic is having on young Canadians.
“By working together, we’re helping to remove barriers and accessibility gaps for youth and their families so they can access the mental health supports they need.”
Foundry Kelowna’s mobile health and wellness unit provides primary care, mental health counselling, and youth navigation and peer support services to young people and their families in West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Lake Country. Every dollar helps the unit succeed in its mission.
“Working together with Sun Life will ensure that we have the financial resources we need to provide a sustainable and reliable opportunity for youth to have safe, non-judgmental care and support,” CMHA Kelowna executive director Shelagh Turner said. “Providing mobile mental health and health care services to youth where they are—in their space—is a significant undertaking, and Sun Life is helping us make it possible.”
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