The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York Region South Simcoe welcomed a $15,000 donation from York Region firm McIntosh Perry today that will go toward increasing access to programs for youth and underserved communities.
“We really rely on partners like McIntosh Perry to support our initiatives to raise awareness about mental health issues,” Rebecca Shields, CMHA York Region South Simcoe CEO, said at the Newmarket branch office today.
McIntosh Perry, a Vaughan-headquartered engineering consulting firm with more than 600 engineers, project managers and technicians across the country, provided the proceeds of its annual client golf tournament, $12,000, and raffle, $3,000, to CMHA.
According to Greg Devine, manager of business development and marketing for McIntosh Perry, the company invites staff to submit their suggestions each year for a worthy organization that should receive the donation.
CMHA York Region South Simcoe was selected because of the broad range of mental health services it provides in local communities, Devine said.
More than 200 “very generous” clients provided the donations at the tournament held last June at Glen Eagle Golf Club in Bolton, he added.
As well as working to ensure better access to mental health care for youth, including in schools, another key goal of CMHA is to increase services and awareness about mental health issues among ethno-cultural groups, including Chinese, Persians and Tamils, Shields said.
There are still barriers preventing timely access to care, which can exacerbate mental illnesses — as it does with any illness or injury, she added.
“People are slipping through the cracks,” Shields said. “They need support when they need support.”
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