Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia Receives Mental Health Grant

Parents recovering from addiction will get help strengthening their relationships with their children, thanks to a mental health grant from the province.

MLA David Wilton, on behalf of Leo Glavine, Minister of Health and Wellness, announced the $45,200 grant to Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia for its Connect Parent Program today, Oct. 6.

"Mental illness and addiction can have a profound impact on families," said Mr. Wilton. "Children whose parents struggle with addiction are at much greater risk of emotional and behavioural issues. This grant will provide early intervention to these families, helping parents who are recovering from opiate use rebuild their relationship with their children."

The Connect Parent Program is a 10-week program with one-hour weekly group sessions, based on proven psychological techniques. This funding will be targeted to helping parents who are recovering from opiate use.

"Our program helps parents develop the skills to identify, understand and respond to their children's needs, and build a strong and secure relationship," said Nancy MacDonald, executive director, Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia. "We're helping parents build on their strengths."

Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization that has been providing supports across Eastern Nova Scotia since 1969. They offer a wide-variety of services including counselling, workshops, drop-in programs and camps for youth, mentoring, and a men's health centre.

This grant is part of a series of community mental health and addictions grants to be awarded over the coming weeks. In total, the province will award 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 independent review board.