Municipality of Richmond County Receives Mental-Health Grant

Older adults in the Strait-Richmond area will soon have improved access to mental-health and addictions support.

Minister of Energy Michel Samson announced a $120,000 community mental-health and addictions grant to the Municipality of Richmond County on behalf of Leo Glavine, Minister of Health and Wellness, today, Jan. 23.

"We know that mental health and addictions impact many Nova Scotians and that older adults are at a risk of being isolated from the programs they need," said Mr. Samson. "This grant will provide a targeted approach to those at risk in our community and ensure they are connected with the appropriate supports."

The grant will go toward the municipality's Body, Mind, Spirit Program which reaches out to older adults to ensure they have access to mental-health and addictions resources if they need them.

"Our project will involve multiple partners and initiatives," said Josette Marchand, director of Recreation, Leisure and Community Relations. "It's a unique project that will create ongoing collaboration and address the mental health of our seniors."

This grant is the last of a series of four community mental-health and addictions grants worth more than $30,000 each. There were also six community mental-health and addictions grants awarded, each worth less than $30,000.

In total, the province has awarded more than $600,000 worth of community mental-health and addictions grants this year. All grants were awarded for specific projects for a one-year period. Grants greater than $30,000 were evaluated by independent peer reviewers, then by an expert review board outside government.