A celebration of remembrance
Event set for today at memorial site for former Cape Breton Hospital patients
A celebration of remembrance is scheduled for today at a memorial site for former Cape Breton Hospital patients, the largest mental health facility in Cape Breton’s history.
“The significance of this quiet event is not lost on those of us who are living with mental illness or who support people who are recovering their life,” said Colleen Cann Mackenzie, program co-ordinator with Crossroads Cape Breton, one of the event’s organizers.
“So much has changed in the way we, as a community, care for, believe in and support people whose lives are touched by mental illness. It’s important to recognize the tremendous strides we have made in how we look at mental illness and wellness and how we honour one another’s lives and experiences.”
The Ach-Na-Sith property in Sydney River means “field of peace” and is considered a space of deep meaning and importance.
In 1999, the site was commemorated by the Mental Health Services Charitable Foundation, a group of volunteers committed to improving the lives of people affected by mental illness.
The charitable foundation also made a donation in 2011 to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation’s campaign to support local mental health and addiction services.
The hospital foundation now supports Ach-Na-Sith’s upkeep through the employment of people living with mental illness.
The property was owned by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality until fall 2016 when ownership passed to Breton Ability Centre.
The centre has long ties with the site and maintains the property in partnership with Crossroads, Pathways To Employment and the regional hospital foundation.
Today’s event will include comments from representatives with the health authority’s mental health and addiction services, the hospital foundation, Breton Ability Centre and Crossroads.
A tree will also be planted at the site. “Ach-Na-Sith is an incredible example of what is possible when we work together and keep a vision of people working and living full, satisfying, hopeful lives at the centre of our efforts,” said Cann Mackenzie.
This celebration begins at 2 p.m. at 163 Keltic Drive in Sydney River. Site entrance is located behind Walmart.