The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the fourth event in its year-long Opening Doors: End Family Violence (ODEFV) campaign will take place September 26 in New Waterford, Cape Breton.
ODEFV is a series of traveling workshops aimed at providing rural areas in Nova Scotia with information and resources to better understand mental illness and addictions and their link to family violence.
Made possible by a Department of Justice Canada grant and support from Lawtons, ODEFV will visit five rural communities in Nova Scotia throughout 2015 and 2016. The first two events took place in Pictou County in October 2015 and Annapolis Valley in March 2016. Last June, ODEFV visited Millbrook First Nation.
“It’s important to bring this event to the communities where the issue of mental health is prevalent among its community members,” says Millbrook First Nation Chief, Bob Gloade. “It will provide support, assistance and direction to those who are looking for help.”
On September 26, residents of New Waterford and surrounding areas are invited to attend a free session at the Carmel Centre. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and will run for approximately 2 hours.
“We know mental health is top of mind for many of our rural communities right now,” says Starr Dobson, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President & CEO. “We hope Opening Doors: End Family Violence will bring awareness and create a forum for community members to ask questions and voice their concerns.”
The theme of the New Waterford event is "Addictions and Youth" and will feature mental health expert, Jessi Roper, a Clinical Therapist from the Addictions Intensive Treatment Team in Cape Breton. Roper has experience working with youth and adults with various mental health disorders as well as youth and adults involved in the sex trade. For the past six years she has specialized in working with youth with substance use disorders.
The evening will also feature a first voice story led by Kurt MacLennan and entertainment by Aaron Lewis and Kimberley Fraser. The event will be emceed by Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President and CEO Starr Dobson.
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia encourages all members of the community to attend this informative and inspirational event. Together, we’re changing the way people think.
The next Opening Doors: End Family Violence workshop will be held at the Adult Learning Centre in Digby on October 4, 2016.
To learn more, please visit www.mentalhealthns.ca/openingdoors
Opening Doors: End Family Violence (Cape Breton)
Monday, September 26, 2016
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Carmel Centre, 3208 Mount Carmel Avenue
New Waterford, NS
Free Admission
Recommended for ages 12 +
About the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of Nova Scotians living with mental illness and their loved ones. We raise funds for vital programs and services that help make this possible, province-wide.
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Contact:
Jennifer Lewandowski, Communications Lead
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
T: 902.464.3210
E: jennifer.lewandowski@nshealth.ca