Fort McMurray Public Schools (FMPSD) will be receiving a $30,000 grant from the RBC Foundation on Friday Jan. 9, 2015, at 10:00 a.m, at Ecole Dickinsfield School.
The grant is being put towards the FRIENDS program which provides students all of the districts elementary schools with access to mental health services.
FRIENDS helps students deal with issues such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and/or post-traumatic stress disorders. Through the grant from the RBC Foundation, FMPSD becomes the only district in the province that is able to provide FRIENDS to every elementary school.
RBC Regional Vice-President Dwain Karissa will present the cheque on behalf of the RBC.
“Kids are our future and they deserve our full commitment in supporting their health and well being,” Krissa says. “Children’s mental health is a critical social issue and we are proud to get behind programs like this that provide early intervention, increase awareness and help to reduce stigma.”
“With the generous support provided by RBC Foundation, all Fort McMurray Public Schools have a program to promote mental health and wellness,” says Dr. Brenda Sautner, FMPSD superintendent of Education and Administration. “The FRIENDS is the only anxiety prevention program endorsed by the World Health Organization based its effectiveness for children and youth. Our program help children and youth cope with feelings of anxiety, worry, depression and fear by teaching coping skills – in the classroom and in the school. FRIENDS is being used in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Mexico, South Africa, The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Finland, Norway, The United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Now the program can continue in every school in Fort McMurray Public School District with the support from RBC Foundation”.
Karina Webb – Ecole Dickinsfield school councillor “A major benefit of the FRIENDS program is that students learn a wide range of emotions. They are taught to see how their thoughts affect their feelings, which in turn affects their actions. They learn that they can change their thoughts, which can change their feelings, which in turn changes their actions, resulting in a more positive outcome,” said Karina Webb, Ecole Dickinsfield school councillor.
