Integrated Youth Services site opens in Sydney

SYDNEY, N.S. – Young people living in Sydney now have more access to immediate mental health and social services at a new integrated youth services (IYS) site located at the New Dawn Centre in Sydney.

Anchor Youth Space Sydney offers walk-in support to youth aged 12 to 25, providing counselling, peer support, life skills groups and mental health and wellness services, and help with employment, education and training.

Sydney is one of three new IYS sites as part of a provincial initiative. In 2023, the Nova Scotia government committed to open eight IYS sites across the province by March 2027. The first site opened in Amherst in April, and two new sites – Anchor Youth Space Sydney and Halifax – are now open. Services vary across sites and are listed on their websites.

“This is an exciting day. Youth in Halifax and Sydney now have more access to safe spaces where they can get the help and support they need,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. “It’s important that young people and their families have a comfortable place to access services. These sites are run by people who care about their communities and who offer support without judgement. Improving access and removing barriers to these supports and services is one more way we’re strengthening universal access to mental healthcare for all Nova Scotians.”

The new sites are located at:

• Anchor Youth Space Sydney, 37 Nepean St., led by New Dawn Enterprises.
• Anchor Youth Space Halifax, 2269 Gottingen St., led by YMCA Greater Halifax/Dartmouth

In Sydney, community partners include Undercurrent Youth Society, Cape Breton Youth Project and BGC Cape Breton.

The government is investing $8.4 million over the next several years to set up the eight sites. The IWK Foundation has committed to raising an additional $10 million.

Community organizations will deliver the services at each site in partnership with other youth-focused organizations, with IWK Health providing leadership and oversight.

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

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Quotes:

“The response to the opening of Anchor Youth Space Sydney has been a mixture of joy, excitement and relief from young people, their caregivers and the community – a confirmation over the last year that these services are so needed here. Providing community based mental health programs for youth and normalizing mental health services as part of the backdrop of everyday life will change and save lives. The efforts of coalition partners, community partners, youth and caregiver advisors, New Dawn and the IWK to bring Anchor Youth Space Sydney into being reflect a community that cares deeply for its young people.”
— Erika Shea, President and CEO, New Dawn Enterprises

“The strength of Anchor Youth Space Halifax lies in integration: provincial funding ensures sustainability, the IWK provides clinical excellence and our coalition partners bring the trust, connection and community delivery that make it possible. The YMCA has a long and proud history of youth development in Nova Scotia, especially in Halifax’s north end, and we are committed to helping youth access deeper supports without barriers and reaching potential together.”
— Brian Posavad, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth

“The IWK Foundation is proud to join national and local partners to support the creation of Anchor Youth Spaces across Nova Scotia. Together with our generous community of donors, we are committed to changing the course of mental health and addictions care for children and youth throughout the Maritimes. This is a pivotal step forward in breaking down long-standing barriers and ensuring that mental health and wellness services are accessible to the children, youth and families in our region who need them most.”
— Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO, IWK Foundation

“The IWK Mental Health and Addictions Program is proud to be a key partner in the transformational integrated youth services initiative. We deeply value the collaboration, expertise and commitment of our community organizations, government partners, youth and philanthropic supporters. Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia is built on a model that reimagines how we work together by breaking down barriers, co-designing with youth, and creating connected, forward-thinking solutions that respond to the evolving needs of young people. This initiative reflects a holistic and proactive approach to youth wellness that places young people at the centre and empowers communities to deliver care that is accessible, inclusive and impactful.”
— Maureen Brennan, Director, Mental Health and Addictions Program, IWK Health

Quick Facts

• Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to commit to universal access to mental healthcare in 2021; universal access means Nova Scotians have access to a variety of care services, information and resources, regardless of their ability to pay
• there are five more integrated youth services sites planned to open across the province by 2027, in Bridgewater, Eskasoni (serving youth from six Mi’kmaw communities), Halifax (second site), New Glasgow and Yarmouth
• the integrated youth services model of care is a best-practice approach nationally and internationally
• the model in Nova Scotia was co-designed with lead agencies, community organizations, youth and caregivers, and is constantly evolving

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ardelle Reynolds
Manager, New Dawn Community Engagement
areynolds@newdawn.ca
(902) 539-9560 ext.251