RBC Foundation donates $300K for mental health initiatives at Seneca

Seneca and RBC collaborate to champion mental health in York Region

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Last night Seneca announced and celebrated a $300,000 gift from RBC Foundation for mental health initiatives at its King Campus.

RBC Foundation has pledged $150,000 to fund the bi-annual RBC Royal Bank Mental Health Symposium at Seneca over the next five years, and $150,000 for mental health community outreach, including a capstone project for students in Seneca's new Mental Health Intervention graduate certificate program, which will result in an RBC-supported workshop to be delivered to community partners.

The symposium will serve as an opportunity for community and social agencies across York Region to congregate at Seneca's King Campus and discuss best practices, research and emerging trends in mental healthcare and emotional well-being for children and adults. The symposium will be held at Seneca every other summer starting in 2016, and guests will include community agencies, government, medical professionals, and RBC representatives. It will also offer a platform to celebrate the achievements of mental health advocates in the classroom and in the community, with an award sponsored by RBC.

The RBC Foundation's gift will also establish the RBC Mental Health Community Outreach Program. This will provide an opportunity for students in Seneca's new Mental Health Intervention graduate certificate program to visit partner organizations and facilitate workshops on best practices in mental health and wellness. This first-of-its-kind program launched at Seneca's King Campus in May 2015.

"RBC's contribution will help the symposium become a signature King Campus event," said Joy McKinnon, Seneca Vice-President, Academic. "The donation will also provide students with more opportunities to network with industry and community leaders while creating a platform to discuss, promote and facilitate mental health initiatives across the region."

Industry and government partners, along with Seneca students and faculty, were on hand to witness last night's announcement at Seneca's King Campus. Guests also had the opportunity to browse Seneca's Applied Research Showcase event, during which students, faculty and industry partners presented 25 collaborative research projects.

"As many as two million Canadian youth struggle with mental health issues or addiction, but only one in five received specialized treatment," said Rina Pillitteri, Regional Vice-President, Vaughan and King Township, RBC. "We are proud to support Seneca College and the crucial work they do to support mental health and with this donation we hope to do our part in our communities and enable conversations to help break down any barriers between needing help and getting help."

ABOUT RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 38 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2014, we contributed more than $111 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $76 million and $35 million in sponsorships.

ABOUT SENECA
With campuses in Toronto, York Region and Peterborough, Seneca offers degrees, diplomas, certificates and graduate programs renowned for their quality and respected by employers. It is one of the largest comprehensive colleges in Canada, offering nearly 300 full-time, part-time and online programs. Combining the highest academic standards with work-integrated and applied learning, expert teaching faculty and the latest technology ensure Seneca graduates are career-ready.

Find out more at senecacollege.ca.
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SOURCE Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology

Image with caption: "RBC Foundation announced a $300k donation for mental health initiatives at Seneca's King Campus. (Photo courtesy of Seneca College) (CNW Group/Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151106_C4039_PHOTO_EN_538622.jpg

For further information: Lisa Pires, Media Relations and Public Affairs Specialist, Seneca College, 416.491.5050 ext. 77018, [email protected]; Ciaran Dickson, Manager, Communications and Marketing, Greater Toronto Region, RBC Royal Bank, 416.313.7947, [email protected]