In a province where winter darkness stretches for months and isolated communities face unique challenges, mental health support has never been more critical. Today, VOCM and Big Land FM are stepping up with their annual “Mental Health Matters Radiothon,” transforming airwaves into lifelines for Newfoundlanders struggling with mental health challenges.
The 12-hour broadcast event, now in its fifth year, aims to raise $500,000 for community-based mental health initiatives across Newfoundland and Labrador. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., listeners across the province will hear powerful testimonials from those whose lives have been transformed by mental health services funded through previous radiothons.
“What makes this initiative particularly effective is that the money stays here, addressing the specific challenges our communities face,” explains Dr. Catherine Moreau, Director of Mental Health Services for Eastern Health. “The isolation many Newfoundlanders experience, particularly in winter months or in remote communities, creates unique mental health pressures that require tailored solutions.”
Last year’s radiothon raised a record $425,000, funding critical programs including crisis response teams in St. John’s, Gander, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, as well as expanding teletherapy services to 17 additional coastal communities.
Premier Sandra Williams, who will be participating in the broadcast at 11 a.m., emphasized the importance of these community-based initiatives in filling gaps in the provincial mental health system. “Government services provide the foundation, but these community programs reach people who might otherwise fall through the cracks,” Williams told CO24 News.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland and Labrador has seen a 28% increase in demand for mental health services since the pandemic, with particularly concerning statistics among youth and fisheries workers facing economic uncertainty.
The radiothon features celebrity guests including hometown heroes Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea and NHL player Alex Newhook, alongside mental health professionals and individuals sharing personal stories of recovery.
“What listeners might not realize is that for every call and donation we receive, there are dozens of people listening who finally feel less alone in their struggles,” says VOCM program director James Sullivan. “The conversation itself is as healing as the funds we raise.”
The programming includes special segments addressing specific mental health challenges in the province, including seasonal affective disorder, addiction services in rural communities, and youth mental health initiatives in schools.
With the funds raised today, organizers plan to launch three new initiatives: a mobile mental health crisis unit serving the Northern Peninsula, expanded trauma counseling for first responders, and a pilot program bringing mental health first aid training to every high school in the province.
“Mental health support is no longer a luxury—it’s essential infrastructure for our communities,” says Beth Porter, executive director of the Mental Health Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador, which will help distribute the funds raised. “Just as we maintain our roads and bridges, we need to maintain the mental wellbeing of our people.”
Listeners can donate by calling 1-888-MENTAL (636-8825), texting MIND to 45678, or visiting the VOCM website throughout the day.
As climate change creates more extreme weather events and economic shifts continue to transform traditional industries in Newfoundland and Labrador, how will communities adapt their mental health support systems to address these emerging challenges?
