(TORONTO) 18 May 2020 – A group of Enactus students from the University of Ottawa developed a mental health curriculum for Ottawa-based schools and community groups to help youth affected by anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses better cope and access resources.

University of Ottawa has been awarded The Co-operators Youth Mental Wellness Project Accelerator Best Project award at the 2020 Virtual Enactus Canada National Exposition Opening Ceremony.

Five-hundred youth attended the Project FLY workshops provided by Enactus UOttawa and 300 youth gained access to mental wellness resources.

“In the aftermath of COVID-19, the need for mental health supports for young people is more critical than ever,” says Paul Hanna, Executive Vice President, Member Relations, Governance and Corporate Services. “The Co-operators is very proud to support positive mental health initiatives that strengthen the resiliency of Canadians and their communities. We congratulate the team from the University of Ottawa for creating a sustainable and inspiring solution that provides support to young people facing mental health issues in their community.”

The Co-operators Youth Mental Wellness Project Accelerator, launched in 2018, is designed to empower Enactus teams with the resources needed to identify, create and deliver projects that decrease the severity of mental health concerns amongst young people, and/or; and increase the mental health resiliency of youth (i.e., their ability to effectively manage their mental health and support peers who may be struggling).

The Enactus Canada National Exposition unites 1,500 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs to enable progress by supporting entrepreneurial action through competition, recognition and education.

For competition updates, visit enactus.ca. All event results will also be published on enactus.ca/events/national-exposition.

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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, a national charity and the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 3,400 post-secondary students led 267 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 50,000 lives.

As a global network of 37 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.

ABOUT THE CO-OPERATORS: The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $47.3 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies, it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is ranked as the Corporate Knights’ #1 Best 50 Corporate Citizen in Canada and listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Kincentric (formerly AON). For more information, visit www.cooperators.ca.

Media Inquiries:
Jennifer Falzon
Vice President, Programs & Marketing
Enactus Canada
jen@enactus.ca | 416.304.1566 x222 | 416.315.2099

MEDIA@cooperators.ca