Funding senior mental health, well-being initiatives
As a charity organization, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia raises money to support mental health initiatives in communities across the province. Donations support the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s community grant program, which enables projects at the grassroots level to deliver crucial services, supports, and education relating to mental health and wellness, mental illnesses and addictions.
Projects funded through the community grant program take on many forms. Some offer free counselling sessions to those in need while others highlight the power of creative therapies.
“Once a month, I receive oneon-one music therapy,” says a community grant-funded program participant. “I get to choose and select the music we sing. I feel happier and more at peace, as the music helps to alleviate negative thoughts.”
Earlier this month and with the support of the Nova Scotia Office of Addictions and Mental Health, the Foundation awarded $1.8 million in community grant funding to 87 community-based projects — many of which aim to serve vulnerable populations such as seniors.
One such initiative aims to address the social isolation commonly reported among older adults. The BOLD Centre in Baddeck, Cape Breton, developed the Better Together project to create intergenerational learning opportunities that bring together youth and seniors living in the community.
Another community grant awarded to the Flourish 55+ Healthy Activity Society in Bridgewater, N.S., will enable the creation of support groups for those who find themselves in caregiving positions and for people struggling with the loss of a loved one.
In Chester, the Shoreham Village Senior Citizens Association will use a community grant to continue its Between the Mountains Music Therapy program for residents of their long-term care facility.
These are just a few of the projects supported by the latest round of community grant funding, with another round set to be awarded later this year.
To donate to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, visit mentalhealthns.ca.