Government of Yukon hosts Yukon Mental Wellness Summit 2017

October 03, 2017

The Government of Yukon, in association with the First Nations Partnership Committee, is hosting a two-day 2017 Mental Wellness Summit on October 4 and 5. The event will celebrate the successes that helped to improve the mental health of Yukoners since the release of the Forward Together Yukon mental wellness strategy.

Guest speakers at the summit will include Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador Bruno Guevremont, celebrated Canadian and mental health advocate Margaret Trudeau, and Canadian writer and comedian Ryan McMahon. The summit will highlight innovative Yukon mental health projects and feature presenters sharing some of the exciting work in mental wellness being done in the Northwest Territories and other jurisdictions.

The summit will take place during Mental Illness Awareness Week, an annual public education campaign that highlights the realities of mental illness. The summit is an opportunity to further the conversation about mental health and end the stigma associated with mental illness.

Quotes

“Mental wellness must be a priority so that Yukoners can live happy, healthy lives. The Yukon Mental Wellness Strategy implemented in 2016 provides more support for mental wellness in our communities. We look forward to celebrating the current and future success of the strategy.”

–Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost

Quick facts

• Implemented in 2016, Forward Together: Yukon Mental Wellness Strategy 2016 – 2026 has piloted 24 Innovation projects in communities across the territory, implemented a pilot and evaluation of a Mental Health Nurse at the WGH Emergency Room to improve access to services and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, and delivered 48 training events to service providers across Yukon to increase skill development, with 25% delivered in communities outside of Whitehorse.
• Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from October 1-7, 2017.

Learn more:
Yukon Mental Wellness Summit 2017
Mental Illness Awareness Week

Contact:

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
[email protected]

Clarissa Wall
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-3010
[email protected]

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