A new specialized treatment centre has opened on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. EHN Guardians has coast-to-coast networks of treatment centres exclusively for military, veterans, and first responders who live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma and addiction. Now, EHN Guardians Atlantic is opening a “state-of-the-art” treatment centre in Head of Jeddore, N.S. “We’ve opened officially in February, but we are opening here a much larger facility,” said executive director Helen Luedee. The residential facility will offer trauma and addiction programs for military members, veterans, and first responders from Atlantic Canada. “This place, EHN, taught me that I was broken but I was still a good person, and I knew in my heart that I was a good person and I had something to work towards,” said Ron Wilson, a military member and program alumni. “I had unresolved trauma, unresolved issues that we don’t like to face. None of us do, but we all have stuff that we have to face. So, I’m lucky enough today that I get to do that.” The treatment centre boasts evidence-based programs that allow clients to connect with peers who have similar experiences and understandings in the recovery process. “We certainly are striving for some of the best treatment that any of our first responders can get,” said Luedee. “We have such a large military population with regards to some of the Navy personnel and we have a huge population that’s here of first responders. People come back and they retire here. And if so, it’s nice to be able to offer this service here in our backyard.” In addition to clinical programs and therapy, EHN Guardians Atlantic says the facility offers private and semi-private accommodations, detox and withdrawal management, 24/7 medical support, and restorative amenities such as hiking trails, meditation spaces, and a fitness centre – all designed to encourage long-term healing. “I look back and say, that part of my life doesn’t define me now and now I have this gift that I’ve been given of life, energy and understanding,” said Wilson. “I wasn’t broken, I was just getting impacted by what I was doing, and I’m back to me.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
