Too many of our neighbours suffer in silence, and too many lose their lives to mental illness every year.

Too many of our neighbours suffer in silence, and too many lose their lives to mental illness every year.

While great strides have been made in recent years to reduce the stigma around mental health, we still have more work to do. Out of fear for being judged, many folks don’t seek the help that they need and deserve.

This has to change, and we can all do our part.

My message to anyone feeling low is this: although it may seem otherwise, there is an entire community ready to support you in you times of need, and people who sometimes feel just like you do.

Sincerely, you are not alone.

To help our youth receive the tools and support they need to support their mental health and wellbeing, I’m happy to see new initiatives come available in our communities such as Y Mind.

Y Mind is a 7-week group-based program that focuses on early intervention to help teens and young adults manage stress and anxiety by learning and practicing new methods and techniques, all while meeting their peers and making new friends.

Y Mind will soon be expanding to many more locations across Canada, including the YMCA of Pictou County, after a $7 million investment from the federal government. This program will be offered in Pictou County for teens aged 13-18 this Spring. Then, it will expand to those aged 30 and under. On completion of the program, participants will receive a free membership to the YMCA.

This will be an incredible resource that will help our youth make new connections, build confidence, and show them that a community of people who care about their future is always a phone call away.

Thank you to the dedicated staff at the YMCA for walking me through Y Mind, and for your leadership and hard work in bringing this program to our community. I know that our children and youth are in good hands, and that this will be a life-changing program for many.