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By Corey Fischer
Society Dissolves But Programs Continue

Society Dissolves But Programs Continue

Apr 3, 2019 | 9:53 AM

Programs to help families with mental illness will be maintained in the Vernon area.

The group that runs the Mental Illness Family Support Centre has decided to dissolve the society which has been around for nearly 20 years, but the Canadian Mental Health Association has agreed to continue operating the programs for local families, using the same staff.

“So we’ll make sure that Kids in Control and Farm Friends and the support to families is still happening in our community, even though that society is no longer running,”  Julia Payson, executive director for CMHA Vernon, told Beach Radio News.

The family support office will continue to run its services out of The People Place.

“It is important for families who are experiencing unsettling life changes to know that they will continue to have the same supports in the same familiar environments, with the same staff who have been working with them,” says Payson.

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MIFSC was named the recipient of the Beach Radio Community Airtime Award in February, which provides a non-profit organization with $35,000 in airtime over a six-month period.  With the dissolution of MIFSC, CMHA has been designated as the recipient of the award.

“CMHA is excited and grateful for the opportunity to share our message with the community to help understand mental health, to break down mental health stigma, to take part in educational opportunities, and how to support families and those living with mental health challenges,” adds Payson.

by Corey Fischer

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