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New mental health centre to open thanks to $300K donation

Last Updated Sep 24, 2018 at 2:47 pm MDT

Canadian Mental Health Association Wood Buffalo will be opening a brand-new Centre for Excellence in Recovery and Peer Support thanks to donations from the Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF), Teck Resources and Total E&P Canada Ltd.

Each organization donated $100,000 for a total of $300,000, as part of a commissioning gift to recognize the grand opening of Suncor’s Fort Hills site.

“The funding from SEF, Teck and Total greatly increases CMHA Wood Buffalo’s ability to provide prevention, promotion and early intervention supports that are proven to be effective and even transformative,” Christine Savage, Executive Director of CMHA Wood Buffalo. “We believe recovery is a journey, not a destination, and the design of the college really encourages people accessing our agency to see the potential for a richer life.”

This will be the second center of its kind in Alberta next to CMHA Calgary.  The new centre will offer a range of course co-designed by peer supporters and recovery trainers who have experience with mental health and substance challenges.

“This marks the beginning of a new era in Wood Buffalo in how people can access mental health support. Peer-led support is the heart of the Centre, which will build inclusion, support and community among those in our region reaching out,” added Savage. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring this to our community and support our friends and neighbours on their journey to mental wellness.”

The centre will open in May 2019 with courses free to the community and open to anyone interested in learning ways to improve their own mental health or stay well while supporting a loved one.