The province has announced $1.5 million dollars for a new mental health program, and some of that money will be making its way to Dauphin.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen announced the funding initiative today, which will be used to develop a new program at Winnipeg’s Crisis Response Centre, and here at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
The program called “Peer 2 Peer Connections” is being developed alongside the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society (MSS).
The unique program works like this: people who’ve experienced their own mental health or addiction issues will offer support and insight to others who may now be facing similar challenges.
The MSS interim executive director Julia Hoeppner says the initiative will positively impact both individuals and families dealing with various mental health diagnoses.
The $1.5 million works out to the equivalent of 12 new full-time individual and family peer support-worker positions to be created at the Dauphin and Winnipeg sites, plus a manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the program.
The Manitoba government will be investing the money over the course of three years.
