It's a topic that often goes undiscussed and also underfunded but not this time. Last week Canada Post presented a substantial donation for mental health and all of the dollars will stay in Yorkton.
On Monday a cheque for $61,572 was given to the Yorkton Mental Health Centre and it will be used to both enhance current programming as well as to open up new opportunities for local individuals coping with mental illness.
In 2008 the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health was established and since that time Canada Post employees have helped to raise nearly $5million nation-wide to be disbursed to non-profit organization across Canada to enhance mental-health programs in every province of the country. This year, for the first time, Yorkton received a portion of the more than $2 million that was raised.
The Yorkton Mental Health Drop In Centre, in partnership with Partners in Employment applied to the annual program and wound up being one of the 47 groups across Canada to be selected this year. Ken Chillog, local area superintendant for Canada Post, says it's only fitting that Canada Post should champion a cause that touches nearly every Canadian.
"Mental illness can be a devastating disease. Many of those who are diagnosed with a mental illness also face the added challenge of an all-too-pervasive stigma.
"As part of Canada Post's campaign to heighten awareness of mental illness, it has issued a mental health fundraising stamp in each of the last four years."
A 10 cent surcharge from the sale of each stamp is then donated to the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. To date more than $800,000 has been raised through these sales.
