Together, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Government of Ontario, Peel Children’s Centre, Peel District School Board, Peel Public Health and Trillium Health Partners, Project Now was founded to address the fact that, despite best efforts too many children and youth attempt suicide and die by suicide in our community.
Project Now has received $3 million in funding from the Government of Ontario, and which will be matched by up to $6 million in philanthropic support, for a total of $9 million. To date, Project Now has received over $3 million in donations from The WB Family Foundation and other leaders in our community.
Project Now will focus its work in three primary areas:
HOPE: To foster hope and resiliency to reduce the likelihood of child and youth suicide in our community. Increase suicide prevention awareness and encourage children, youth and families to seek support when needed. Build and strengthen self-regulation and resiliency in children, youth, and families to support suicide prevention. Engage and empower our community to recognize children and youth at higher risk to enable identification.
HELP: To work with children, youth and families, to create a coordinated system of support that meets their needs. Provide easy to access support for all children, youth, and families at all times. Ensure evidence-based interventions are available. Provide treatment for suicidality and related risk factors including mental health issues, substance use, trauma, and family communication.
HEALING: To better connect as a community to support all touched by suicide. Build community connections to make transitions seamless for children, youth, families, and support networks. Promote continuous learning among community partners to improve outcomes for all. Support people and community to enable healing following a death by suicide.
