Yesterday, in a presentation at the Confederation Building, the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, awarded the St. John’s Status of Women Council’s Managed Alcohol Program with the Council of the Federation Award for Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions Care.
Caitlin Urquhart, Chair, Board of Directors; Lisa Faye, Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Centre; and Rebecca Fleming, Managed Alcohol Program Coordinator were in attendance and were acknowledged for their hard work and dedication in mental health and addictions programming and services.
The Managed Alcohol Program is a pilot that began in 2021 and assists women and non-binary people who experience risks and harms related to alcohol use. The program’s harm reduction approach provides participants with a safe and stable supply of alcohol, along with social and health care support. The team works with Eastern Health to assess participant eligibility, determine a safe dose of alcohol and provide ongoing reassessment and primary health care services.
Premier Furey was joined at this presentation by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, and the Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality.
Presented for innovative initiatives that make positive impacts in mental health and addictions care in each province and territory, the Council of the Federation Award for Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions Care recognizes individuals and organizations excelling in these fields.
Each award recipient receives a certificate, signed by the Premier of their province or territory, as well as a $5,000 prize to advance the awarded initiative and foster further innovation.
The Council of the Federation comprises all 13 provincial and territorial Premiers. It enables Premiers to work collaboratively, form closer ties, foster constructive relationships among governments, and show leadership on important issues that matter to Canadians.
Quotes
“Our government is committed to providing mental health and addictions support to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and recognize the importance of programs like this one. We are pleased to celebrate the important work of the St. John’s Status of Women’s Council and their Managed Alcohol Program with this meaningful award.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“It is so important to see the talented stakeholders get recognized for the important work they do in our communities. Their harm reduction approach provides participants a safe and stable supply of alcohol, along with social and healthcare support, which align with our province’s mental health and addictions programs and services.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
“The St. John’s Status of Women works every day to support people in our communities who are facing challenges. The work of our Managed Alcohol Program changes lives – it builds a community of support with people who face challenges related to their drinking. It takes away the judgement that people face and helps them build the future that they want for themselves, to reach their own goals. Receiving this award, seeing this recognition of our hard work and innovation is very much appreciated.”
Lisa Faye
Executive Director, St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Centre
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Learn more
Award for Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions Care
St. John’s Status of Women Council
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
Number
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 727-0341
laurathomas@gov.nl.ca
Lisa Faye
Executive Director
709-753-0220
lisa@sjwomenscentre.ca