Mental wellness help expanded for central Newfoundland students

Students in central Newfoundland schools struggling with mental health issues will have a place to go thanks to a boost in funding.

On Monday, former chief of Canada's defence staff General Rick Hillier presented a cheque for over $17,000 to the South and Central Health Foundation.

Hillier currently chairs the Telus Community Board.

The money will be used to expand The Wellness Cafe, an informal drop-in program for junior and senior high students living in central Newfoundland.

Once set up, the cafe will provide a meeting space in various schools where students can talk about mental wellness with a health care worker.

Sue Rodgers, the health promotion liaison consultant with Central Health, said the money will be used to boost the program significantly.

"This is going to allow us to open [The Wellness Cafe] to the entire central region, which is 65 schools," said Rodgers.

"We're hoping to hit 50 plus, and we actually had an Eastern District school contact us," she added, noting that it would be up to her co-workers from across Newfoundland and Labrador to get the program expanded province wide.

Currently, The Wellness Cafe operates in three schools.