Family Futures Inc. received $10,750 in a grant from Prince Albert and Area Community Foundation. (Joe Bexson/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Family Futures Grant

Family Futures Inc. to use grant for teen mental health

Jun 16, 2022 | 4:00 PM

When Family Futures Inc. went to a granting ceremony for the Prince Albert and Area Community Foundation, they didn’t know exactly how much money would be receiving in the grant.

They left pleasantly surprised and already with a clear plan for the funds.

As part of the granting ceremony, Family Futures Inc. received $10,750. It will prove to be a big boost for a new initiative aimed at mental health in teenagers.

“It felt amazing,” said Ashlee Schmidt, executive director of Family Futures Inc. “Definitely a need in our community, so we are super excited to get this new initiative started and think it’s going to lead into some very positive changes.”

Family Services Inc. serves upwards of 600 children a year and 200 men and women who are in need of their support. Their programing often has an emphasis on new or expectant mothers, but the grant is going to be funnelled toward some of their youth programming.

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“The initiative ultimately aims to empower youth by learning about and discussing mental health and wellness within individual, family, and culturally significant community context,” said Schmidt. “We plan on holding weekly sessions, and it will be over a 32-week total span starting in September.”

According to Schmidt, the new program will tackle a wide range of youth mental health issues from bullying to self-harm. The idea is to get ahead of the many concerns teens face in regards to mental health before they become too overwhelming.

“A lot of times in mental health we have a very reactive approach,” Schmidt said. “We are ultimately looking to sort of preserve and enhance that preventative health and empower youth to take action and be accountable for their own mental well-being.”

As a therapist herself, Schmidt has seen firsthand the need for this kind of service in the community. For many people in Prince Albert, it is literally a matter of life and death.

“Mental health is the root of a lot of issues and illnesses and disorders we see today,” said Schmidt. “We’re seeing a huge increase in teenage mental health issues, self-harm, suicidal behavior. Children are our future and we need to learn to help support them so that we do have a healthier community.”

Schmidt added tackling the root issues instead of “slapping a Band-Aid” on issues of mental health would help decrease rates of suicide and treat inter-generational trauma.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP