MILDEN - The announcement of major funding towards one of the province's key facilities centered on battling eating disorders is one that those involved with the Milden location are excited to move forward on.
The BridgePoint Center for Eating Disorder Recovery will receive a funding increase in the amount of $215,000, it was revealed by Mental Health and Addictions Minister Tim McLeod, bringing the total funding to more than $815,000 annually.
These funds will allow BridgePoint to expand its virtual care programming. Known as the only program of its kind in the province, the Center offers both residential and virtual care programs that are designed to help people recover from eating disorders. The facility has helped generations of people overcome their issues since 1997, and a previous article by this reporter ('Milden facility marks 25 years of treating eating disorders' from March 16, 2023) highlighted the celebration of reaching such a milestone, as well as the work being done with people suffering from issues with food and perceived body images.
Eight residential spaces at the Center offer people 24/7 support, while three spaces are dedicated towards a mixture of combined in-person & virtual programming.
"Our government is pleased that we can support Saskatchewan residents who need treatment for eating disorders to help them heal and recover," McLeod said in a media release. "This funding helps BridgePoint expand their virtual programming, which will make their services more accessible and can save lives."
BridgePoint is located in the small community of Milden, but its reputation has a significant reach across the province and beyond with people who've needed its services.
It's said that the Center's virtual outpatient treatment provides a more flexible option for people who have work, school and family responsibilities while receiving treatment, and it can also be more easily accessed by people across Saskatchewan.
The facility's 2023-24 Annual Report highlights showed that 345 individuals were helped discretely, while 315 attended one or more virtual programs. As well, 66 people attended programming onsite. These numbers don't reflect many people who were supported through telephone, email, or online self-paced programming.
In addition, the average age of those who use BridgePoint services is 36 years old.
Carla Chabot, BridgePoint's executive director, says the new funding will allow the facility to evolve and expand its virtual care programming, fine-tuning support to the needs of people that may be unique in nature.
"As we navigate the complexities of eating disorders, accessible and low-barrier access to specialized support is paramount," she said. "This funding positions us to continue and enhance our virtual care programming, offering vital support to individuals and their caregivers embarking on the path to recovery."
BridgePoint has also been working on a documentary film titled, 'RecoverED', with plans to premiere the film in Outlook later this fall.
