News release

Expanding Mental Health Supports in Yarmouth Area

Health and Wellness

More support will be available to teenagers and young adults dealing with mental health issues in the Yarmouth area.

Laing House in Yarmouth has received $165,536 in government funding to support programs for individuals aged 16-29.

“We want to ensure young people are able to access the help they need when they need it,” said Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Zach Churchill, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey. “I’m very pleased that we’re able to provide Laing House with funding to offer support for people who need help.”

Laing House provides programming and supports for young people living with mental illness and challenges such as mood and anxiety disorders. The not-for-profit organization has broadened its criteria to ensure those who have yet to receive a diagnosis can still get the support they need to continue to thrive and grow. This pilot project will allow the organization to work with community partners and youth to identify what youth need and the best way to meet those needs.

“To have funding to expand programming in Yarmouth is critical to helping youth in this part of the province,” said Hilary Rankin, executive director for Laing House. “We know more and more youth are facing mental health challenges, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. With this funding, we’ll be able to offer more drop-in programming for youth and we’ll work with community partners to roll-out peer support and peer support training which is an essential component to mental wellness and recovery.”

This funding will also allow Laing House to:

  • focus on delivering consistent, quality programming for youth
  • work with other youth organizations on positive mental health programs for vulnerable youth
  • deliver drop-in programs specific to those that self-identify as having mental health challenges
  • work with community partners to form a support group for families to better support their children
  • improve supports for Yarmouth staff such as referral and intake processes
  • improve evaluation and monitoring practices for all Laing House sites

Laing House opened its doors in Halifax in 2001. It started offering programming and support in Yarmouth in 2018.

For more information visit https://www.lainghouse.org/get-support/laing-house-yarmouth.html .