The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to highlight a new e-mental health program to be piloted this fall in Newfoundland and Labrador by the Strongest Families Institute.

Strongest Families is an award-winning charity, endorsed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Governor-General of Canada, which leverages technology and skilled coaches to deliver evidence-based programs across the country to children, youth, adults and families.

Approximately 800 children and families here will benefit from the Parents Empowering Kids – The Early Years program. The program is designed to promote positive parenting skills and prevent behavioural challenges in early childhood for children ages three to 12.

Funding of $520,000 for the program, which is free for interested parents, was provided to Strongest Families from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Mental Health Promotion Innovation Fund. For more information, visit the Strongest Families website, Bridge the gapp, or call toll-free 1-866-470-7111.

Through Towards Recovery, since 2017, the Provincial Government has secured $1.1 million annually through the Federal Health Accord for e-mental health programs. This includes annual funding for Strongest Families.

Increasing access to evidence-based services via technology has made Newfoundland and Labrador a leader in e-health and a prime test ground for expanding these kinds of solutions.

We appreciate the work of Strongest Families and our ongoing partnership. Good luck with the program. We look forward to hearing the results.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.