News release

New Integrated Youth Services Coming to Yarmouth

Office of Addictions and Mental Health
Action for Health
mental health
NOTE: The full list of community organizations involved with the Yarmouth site follows this release.

Yarmouth will soon be home to one-stop mental health and social services for youth and those who support them.

This is the eighth integrated youth services site announced for the province. The sites will bring together health, social and employment supports and services under one roof for young people aged 12 to 25.

“Youth struggling with their mental health or substance use need to be supported within their communities, by people and organizations they know and trust,” said Nick Hilton, MLA for Yarmouth, on behalf of Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. “We are proud to work with IWK Health, community organizations and philanthropic partners to make it happen from one end of the province to the other.”

In Yarmouth, BGC Yarmouth (formerly the Boys and Girls Club) will be the host site, partnering with the Youth Wellbeing Network, SHYFT Youth Services, Southwest Employment Services and Tri-County Restorative Justice. The other locations in the province, announced last April, are Amherst, Bridgewater, Eskasoni (serving youth from six Mi’kmaw communities) New Glasgow, Sydney and Halifax (two 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; primary healthcare; employment and training supports; and social services such as housing and income assistance.

The government is investing $8.4 million over the next several years to set up the eight sites. Philanthropic partners have committed an additional $10 million.

Integrated youth services has been identified as a solution in Action for Health, the Province’s plan to improve healthcare, and another way the Province is working to deliver universal access to mental health and addiction care to all Nova Scotians.

Quotes:

“The IYS site will have life-changing programs and relationships where youth will be able to build healthy, supportive relationships with caring adult role models, which in turn can positively influence the life path they choose. It will provide youth with the opportunity for a game changing, bright future.”
— Jodie Pothier, Executive Director, BGC Yarmouth

“We are thrilled to work alongside partners to establish an IYS site in Yarmouth. This initiative addresses key needs identified in our 2023 Wellbeing Report, such as reducing barriers to mental wellness, creating a community hub, engaging youth in decision-making and fostering resilience. This funding is a catalyst for youth in Yarmouth County and beyond, with strong collaboration among youth-serving organizations enhancing the impact.”
— Tanya Bain, co-Chair, Youth Wellbeing Network

“We are so excited to have Yarmouth join the other integrated youth services sites. As part of the application process, applicants are asked to demonstrate how they and their partner organizations in the community would work together and pool their skills, talents and expertise to jointly create, design and develop a model of care that will address the needs of youth, caregivers and communities. Individually, each of these sites and their partners are impressive and dynamic. Collectively, they are a dream team, and we are honoured to be working together to support youth in their community with such passionate and dedicated Nova Scotians.”
— Daphne Hutt-MacLeod, Director, Integrated Youth Services Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

  • the first sites are expected to open in the spring
  • the integrated youth services model in Nova Scotia was co-designed with lead agencies, community organizations, youth and caregivers and is constantly evolving
  • the integrated youth services model of care is a best-practice approach nationally and internationally

Additional Resources:

News release – Youth Mental Health Sites Announced: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/04/10/youth-mental-health-sites-announced

Action for Health: https://actionforhealth.novascotia.ca/

IWK Health’s overview of integrated youth services: https://iwkhealth.ca/iys

Organizations involved in integrated youth services in Yarmouth:

  • Aidaen’s Place Youth Wellness Center
  • BGC Yarmouth
  • ÉcolesPlus – Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
  • Juniper House Women’s Shelter
  • Parents Place Family Resource Centre
  • Portal Youth Outreach Association
  • Resilient Life Coaching
  • SHYFT Youth Services
  • Sound Affects West Nova Music Society
  • Southwest Employment Services
  • Split Rock youth outreach program
  • Tri-County Restorative Justice
  • Tri-County Women’s Centre
  • Wellstream: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use
  • Youth Wellbeing Network

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