Young people in Nova Scotia will soon have greater access to mental health services thanks to a $10 million federal investment to expand Integrated Youth Services (IYS) across the province.
Ministers joined IWK President and CEO, Dr. Krista Jangaard, in Halifax Tuesday to announce the funding, which will support the growth of Anchor Youth Space, a network of youth-friendly centres offering mental health, wellness, and community resources.
Three locations are already operating in Amherst, Halifax, and Sydney.
Dr. Jangaard said the investment “reflects a shared commitment to improving how young people experience care, ensuring that they can access the right support at the right time in their communities where they feel safe.”
Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, Brian Comer, said five additional sites are planned for Bridgewater, Eskasoni (serving youth from six Mi’kmaw communities), Halifax (second site located in Spryfield), New Glasgow, and Yarmouth.
The expansion is expected to improve access to services for Indigenous youth, those living in rural areas, and other underserved communities.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, said nearly two-thirds of mental health disorders emerge before age 25, while one in four young Canadians had received a mental health diagnosis in 2022.
Health Canada said the project is funded through the Youth Mental Health Fund (YMHF). The centres provide young people aged 12 to 25 and their families with access to services ranging from primary care and mental health supports to substance use, education and employment services.
While the program is still in its early stages, Dr. Jangaard said the three existing sites have already recorded thousands of visits and are receiving positive feedback from youth.
When asked whether young people need a parent or guardian to access services, Comer said youth can often walk in on their own and that “there’s no wrong door.”
“You don’t need a referral from any kind of clinical healthcare provider, which is great,” said Comer. “You would probably touch base with one of the staff members to do an intake process. Then, we’d have options to kind of guide you in the proper direction.”
Chi said, “every young person deserves the opportunity to look to the future with hope and know that support is available when they need it.”
