PROJECT HOPE SUPPORTS HEALTH PROMOTION IN CYPRESS

The Cypress Health Region will soon have new staff focusing on promoting mental health and preventing substance abuse thanks to new funding from Project Hope and Saskatchewan Health.

"People, especially our young people, need environments that support them to make informed, healthy choices," Health Minister John Nilson said. "By working with the health regions, we will ensure that prevention and health promotion activities are based on each community's unique needs."

The Cypress Health Region will receive $35,000 for the balance of this fiscal year and $70,000 in annualized funding in subsequent years.

"Our goal is to create environments that make it easy for people to choose healthy options in their lives," Cypress Health Region Mental Health and Addictions Director Peggy Skelton said. "We are pleased to have this additional funding available to continue enhancing the work being done in the area of Prevention and Promotion with a specific focus on Mental Well Being and the Reduction of Substance Use and Abuse."

"During my consultations, prevention initiatives surfaced as a need again and again," Legislative Secretary to the Premier on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Graham Addley said. "Through Project Hope, this initiative will help to fill that need, moving toward a Saskatchewan in which every child has the best possible chance of growing up free of addiction."

Health promotion and prevention are cornerstones of The Premier's Project Hope and the government's Population Health Promotion Strategy.

Healthier Places to Live, Work and Play…A Population Health Promotion Strategy for Saskatchewan challenges communities to move beyond traditional approaches to health promotion in order to create environments where people find it easier to take positive actions for their health.

Project Hope is a three-year plan to prevent and treat substance abuse. The government has committed $10 million of new annual funding for the project, in addition to the $4.7 million announced in the 2005-06 budget. This new funding is based on the 15 recommendations contained in the report Healthy Choices in a Healthy Community by Legislative Secretary to the Premier on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Graham Addley.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083

Bryce Martin Cypress Health Region Swift Current Phone: (306) 778-5117