2020 RBC Race for the Kids raises $628K for youth mental health services at CHEO
Posted Oct 20, 2020 09:02:00 PM.
Local services for young people suffering with mental health issues are getting a boost, thanks to the 2020 2020 RBC Race for the Kids.
The CHEO Foundation says 1,250 people participated in the virtual RBC Race for the Kids, and together with sponsors, raised $628,789 to support children, youth and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area, who will benefit from mental health programs.
Specifically, the following two CHEO programs are expected to benefit from the money raised: CAPA (Choice and Partnership Approach) and the One Call/One Click initiative.
CAPA decreases wait times and improves the mental health care CHEO delivers using methods taken from best business practices to streamline service delivery, as well as empower patients and families to be the stewards of their own mental health. Donor support for this program will help CHEO reach its goal of being able to see patients for their first and second appointments within weeks, not months, ensuring they receive the most effective and efficient care possible.
One Call/One Click, is a new initiative that will help Kids Come First create a single point of entry to Eastern Ontario’s system of care for mental health and addictions. The Kids Come First Health Team includes CHEO and 20 other providers of mental health and addiction services for children and youth in the region, as well as families and youth partners. One of its major goals is to create an integrated system that delivers faster, easier and better access to services and enables physicians and community pediatricians to focus on seeing children and youth in a timely manner. One Call/One Click does exactly that and is slated to start up in the spring of 2021.
The pediatric health and research centre says it's seeing more children and young people struggling with their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic meant runners and walkers couldn’t gather together, but hundreds were out last weekend for the first RBC Global Virtual Event.
From September 14 to October 18 people were encouraged to be active and fundraise to improve youth mental health services around the globe. RBC Race for the Kids in Ottawa is one of 17 charitable races around the world. This past weekend, more than 26,000 participants took part in the Race. Together, they raised $5-million for 36 charity partners and the youth they support.
