TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - In a new and exciting partnership, investment dealer Raymond James Ltd., is now Presenting Sponsor of Umind.ca (Umind) – an international online community dedicated to helping child and youth mental health professionals, educators and student learners expand their expertise, collaborate and grow in their profession. Umind accomplishes this through its vast library of resources, practical tools and online training opportunities for professionals in the mental health space. Developed by Kids' Health Links Foundation (KHLF), in collaboration with Umind's clinical partner Lutherwood, and supported by its academic partner Mohawk College, this unique platform breaks down resource silos to build a virtual community globally connected in their commitment to improve the lives of children and youth and their families living with mental health issues. Umind's registered members include frontline and administrative child and youth mental health staff, health care professionals, educators, post-­secondary students and other professionals working with children and families, representing over 300 organizations within Canada and internationally.

Raymond James' partnership will help expand the Umind Webinar Series, which was created in 2014 in response to an expressed need by mental health professionals for more accessible and practice-­specific professional development opportunities. In 2018, Umind webinars will include such critical topics as, 'How to Support Children and Youth Questioning Their Gender Identity', 'Legalization of Marijuana and the Impact on the Mental Health System', and 'Grief and Trauma in Mental Health'. Raymond James' sponsorship dollars will also help Umind continue to grow its online collection of over 950 practical tools, promising interventions and valuable resources developed by children's mental health treatment centres across Canada.

"We are very excited about our partnership with Umind," says Peter Kahnert, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Marketing, "We look forward to working with the Umind team to grow this important resource to support children and youth living with mental illness and those professionals reaching out to help make a difference in the lives of many."

According to the World Health Organization, 20 percent of the world's children and youth have mental health disorders or issues. This partnership comes at a time when the need for child and youth mental health information and resources has never been greater.

Kids' Health Links Foundation Chairman and Co-­founder, Basile Papaevangelou says, "It's because of the heart and vision of companies like Raymond James that programs like Umind have a chance  to  fulfill  their  potential  and  make  their greatest impact. Bridging business and social enterprise, this partnership is an example of what's possible when companies step-­up to the plate and partner withsocial services to help support the well-­being of the communities in which they serve."

About Umind
Umind is a dynamic online community where mental health professionals access information, connect and share practical tools, knowledge, and training to help improve the lives of children and youth and their families living with mental health issues. It is an initiative launched and supported by Kids' Health Links Foundation (KHLF) and its clinical partner, Lutherwood. For more information, visit www.umind.ca.

About Lutherwood
For nearly 50 years, children, youth and their families have trusted Lutherwood's mental health services to support them as they cope with serious behavioural, emotional and psychological challenges. The agency provides residential treatment and assessment, community and school-based support, counsels families, and operates a shelter for youth at risk of being homeless. For more information, please visit www.lutherwood.ca.

About Kids' Health Links Foundation
Kids' Health Links Foundation was founded by Basile Papaevangelou and his daughter Christina to foster initiatives focused on alleviating the stress, isolation and loneliness for kids and teens undergoing medical care so that they might be better able to overcome traumatic medical experiences. For more information about Kids' Health Links Foundation please visit www.kidshealthlinks.org.

About Raymond James
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing wealth management for individual investors and families, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 7,300 financial advisors in 3,000 locations throughout Canada, the United States and overseas. Total client assets under administration are US$693 billion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.ca.