Grants to Help With Mental Health, Addictions

NOTE: A list of organizations announced today, March 14, receiving grants follows this release.

Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addictions will get help from a number of community organizations receiving new provincial grants.

Twenty-three organizations will receive funding from a community grant program that is part of Together We Can, the province's mental health and addictions strategy. The grants total nearly $1 million this year. Most were announced today, March 14. The rest to be released next week.

"Community support plays a crucial role in helping people living with mental illness, substance abuse and gambling problems get the help they need so they can take charge of their lives," said Gary Ramey, ministerial assistant for Health and Wellness. "These community grants are funding programs and services in communities to meet the varying needs of people with mental illness."

Brian MacQuarrie is with Halifax-based comedy troupe Picnicface, which is getting a grant. The group teaches classes in improvisation, stand-up comedy and sketch comedy.

"I noticed how our classes for the general public benefit the mental wellbeing of participants, and I decided to propose a program for people in the mental health community," said Mr. MacQuarrie. "The idea is to provide a safe, healing space where participants can build their self-esteem through improv, stand-up and sketch comedy. We want to eliminate stigma, one laugh at a time."

The South Shore Improving Partnerships Advisory Committee is getting money to build a community health network to meet the needs of older adults with complex behavioural issues.

"This project will bring together people and resources to improve the network of care, service delivery, education and research for seniors and their care providers," said Bernice Theriault, committee member. "Through advocacy, collaboration, education and innovation, we will use this grant to help improve the quality of care for people with dementia, addictions and mental illness, and support their families and caregivers."

Grants are available for community organizations to create and run programs for youth, aboriginal and diverse communities, mental health and addictions promotion, community supports, reducing stigma and discrimination, people with disabilities, the workplace, substance abuse and gambling.

Organizations can apply for one-year or three-year grants. This year, grants range from $10,000 to $100,000.

The following organizations are receiving one-year grants:

• Picnicface Productions, HRM, $13,000
• South Shore Improving Partnerships Advisory Committee, Bridgewater, $45,000
• East Hants Adult Learning Centre, Truro, $36,000
• Maggie's Place Family Resource Centre, Amherst, $25,000
• Eastern Shore Mental Health, in Partnership with Old School Community Gathering Place, Musquodobit Harbour, $57,000
• The Doppler Effect Production Society, HRM, $10,000
• Autism Nova Scotia, HRM, $50,000
• Nova Scotia Sea School, HRM, $49,000
• AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia, HRM, $23,000
• Kids Help Phone, Bedford, $100,000

The following organizations are receiving the amounts listed each year for three years:

• Split Rock Learning Centre Association, Yarmouth, $29,000
• Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association, Berwick, $30,000
• Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services, Halifax Regional Municipality, $73,000
• Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, HRM, $60,000
• Self-Help Connection, HRM, $49,000
• Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, HRM, $35,000
• Chebucto Connections, Spryfield, $23,000
• St. George's YouthNet Society, HRM, $45,000