Nova Scotia opens first integrated youth services site in Amherst

Anchor Youth Space Cumberland in Amherst, N.S., is pictured. (Source: Nova Scotia Government)

A new integrated youth services (IYS) site has opened in Amherst, N.S.

Anchor Youth Space Cumberland is the first of eight sites set to open in Nova Scotia that will provide health and social services to youth in the area aged 12 to 25.

The site will be home to services like counselling, peer support and help with housing.

“This is what building universal access to mental healthcare looks like. It’s more access to more services for more people,” said Brian Comer, minister of Addictions and Mental Health, in a news release.

“I’m proud of the work being done in the public health system, with private providers, in post-secondary education facilities and at the community level to make universal access a reality in this province. The new IYS site in Amherst is one more way Nova Scotians can access care, at no cost, with walk-in services close to home.”

The Nova Scotia government committed to universal access to mental health care in 2021 and will spend $8.4 million to set up the eight sites over the next several years. Those sites will be located in:

• Bridgewater
• Eskasoni (serving youth from six Mi’kmaw communities)
• Halifax (two sites)
• New Glasgow
• Sydney
• Yarmouth

The government says the IYS model was created with input from agencies, community organizations, and youth and caregivers and philanthropic partners have committed $10 million to the province’s eight sites.

“Community organizations will deliver the services at each site, with IWK Health providing leadership and oversight. Services will include mental health and substance use support such as counselling and peer supports; employment and training supports; and social services such as help with housing and income assistance,” reads the release.

In Nova Scotia’s Action For Health plan, the province has identified integrated youth services as part of the solution to improving health care.

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