Today, the CMA Foundation (CMAF) and Jack.org, the only Canadian charity training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health, announced they will bring much-needed digital mental health education to young people across Canada. The CMAF’s $250K contribution will allow Jack.org to develop and disseminate online mental health education to Canada’s youth, who are facing increased isolation and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the key programs the CMAF’s funding will assist include Be There, Virtual Jack Talks, Virtual Jack Summits, Virtual Jack Chapters and Do Something. It will also help grow Jack.org’s Digital Education Library with the development of new awareness and education materials.
“COVID-19 is proving challenging for so many Canadians, including our young people who may find themselves isolated and struggling with mental health issues,” says CMAF President, Allison Seymour. “We are extremely pleased to support Jack.org and the important work they do in the delivery of key programs and resources that will support young Canadians today and into the future.”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack.org has shifted all of its in-person programming to engaging digital formats, reaching more than a million young people through resources like Be There, Virtual Jack Talks, and their COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub built in partnership with Kids Help Phone and School Mental Health Ontario. Digital education can help significantly with addressing Canada’s current mental health crisis. It can also contribute to a comprehensive, long-term solution that helps young people understand how to take care of their own mental health, look out for one another, access further support, increase resiliency and reduce potential suicides.
“Digital education is a key component in ensuring young people have access to the resources they need to build the skills required to better support their own mental health and look out for their peers and loved ones,” says Jesse Hayman, Vice President, Jack.org. “With funding and support from the CMA Foundation, Jack.org can continue working to ensure that young people are prepared to take care of themselves and look out for one another during this time of crisis, while also propelling us into the new future for youth mental health.”
For more information or to learn more about Jack.org’s digital mental health education programs, please visit Jack.org.