Mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional and social well-being. Consequently, it impacts how we feel, think and behave each and every day. Hence, taking care of one’s mental health is just as important as being mindful of our physical wellbeing. With approximately 1 in 5 Canadians affected by mental health issues, and increasing childhood mental health challenges, supporting pediatric care in this field is crucial. Thanks to a recent partnership between Hospitals of Regina Foundation and Henderson Insurance, access to mental health care in southern Saskatchewan has improved significantly.

Henderson Insurance is no stranger to supporting the community they work in, including Regina’s hospitals. In 2020, they supported Regina’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in our Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care, at Regina’s General Hospital. Henderson Insurance has now committed $30,000 in support of the Foundation’s investment in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowships. The Foundation’s Medical Fellowship Program provides financial support to doctors while they undertake sub-specialty training, in exchange for a commitment to practice in Regina for a number of years. The hope is to retain the sub-specialists permanently once they put down roots and make Regina their home. Dr. Kristen Edwards and Dr. Fiyin Peluola are two beneficiaries of our Medical Fellowship Program; they have both completed their specialty training in child psychiatry and are now practicing in Regina.

“We are proud to build partnerships in the community that benefit the mental and physical health our employees and our customers. Working together with Hospitals of Regina Foundation is a win-win for everyone!” says David Reidy, president and CEO of Henderson Insurance.

Regina’s Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit, located at Regina’s General Hospital, employs a multi-disciplinary team of specialists to assist those requiring care. Additionally, Dr. Edwards and Peluola provide outpatient care through their office practices. With the addition of these specialists through our Medical Fellowship program, the unit is seeing significantly shorter wait times for kids to receive the care they need. This increase in the level of care available to children requiring mental health care would not have been possible without partners such as Henderson Insurance.

“We are honored to partner with Henderson Insurance once again for such an important cause,” says Dino Sophocleous, president and CEO, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “Their ongoing support allowed us to secure the specialist care the children of southern Saskatchewan need.”