SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Northwest Territories division of The Canadian Mental Health Association received a grant of $75,000 to help with programs that deal with adolescents and mental health issues, earlier this month.

There were about 200 applicants for the grant and the Canadian Mental Health Association's Yellowknife office was one of the lucky 20 that were selected.

"We aimed high asking for the full $75,000," said Sandra Beaton, executive director for NWT division of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The money will be used to fund various programs provided by the association, including a walk-in clinic, where individuals can see a trained counsellor without an appointment, family therapy, as well as a parenting group for parents or guardians of adolescents, which runs the first and second Wednesday of each month.

The association was also able to contract Ray Pidzamecky, their only social worker who works out of the Yellowknife office located on 50 Street. He provides counselling and also does diagnostic assessments to help understand a problematic child's functioning and also help with treatment.

The grant money was given to the Canadian Mental Health Association's NWT branch, in partnership with the Centre for Northern Families.

The Centre will not receive funding, but will benefit through the programs hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The grant comes from the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health, which raised over $1 million for the cause. John Abbott, the post manager for NWT and Northern Alberta, presented the cheque on Nov. 3.

The money was mainly raised by post office clerks simply asking for donations.

"The general assumption is that the money we collect disappears to Toronto or Ottawa," Abbott said.

"It's significant that we were able to deliver the money back to the Northwest Territories."

Abbott said another campaign is under way this month with clerks asking for donations at Canada Post outlets across Canada.