The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the fifth event in its year-long Opening Doors: End Family Violence (ODEFV) campaign will take place October 4 in Digby, Nova Scotia.
ODEFV is a series of traveling workshops aimed at providing rural areas in Nova Scotia with information and resources to better understand mental illness and addictions and their link to family violence.
Made possible by a Department of Justice Canada grant and support from Lawtons, ODEFV will visit five rural communities in Nova Scotia throughout 2015 and 2016. Chosen locations have included Pictou County, Annapolis Valley and New Waterford. Last June, ODEFV visited Millbrook First Nation.
“It’s important to bring this event to the communities where the issue of mental health is prevalent among its community members,” says Millbrook First Nation Chief, Bob Gloade. “It will provide support, assistance and direction to those who are looking for help.”
On October 4, residents of Digby and surrounding areas are invited to attend a free session at the Digby Learning Centre. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and will run for approximately 2 hours.
“We know mental health is top of mind for many of our rural communities right now,” says Starr Dobson, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President & CEO. “We hope Opening Doors: End Family Violence will bring awareness and create a forum for community members to ask questions and voice their concerns.”
The theme of the event is "Depression and Anxiety: Understanding Mental Illness" and will feature mental health expert, Dr. Gerald Gray, Child and Adolescent psychiatrist and Western Zone Psychiatry Department Head. Dr. Gray was the Medical Director of the Garron Center at the IWK for over five years and the former Psychiatry Department Chief for South Shore Health.
The evening will also feature a first voice story led by Stephanie Reidy, Clinical Research Coordinator at Nova Scotia Health Authority and freelance writer. Entertainment will be provided by Ryan Cook. The event will be emceed by Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President and CEO Starr Dobson.
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia encourages all members of the community to attend this informative and inspirational event. Together, we’re changing the way people think.
To learn more, please visit www.mentalhealthns.ca/openingdoors
Opening Doors: End Family Violence (Digby)
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Digby Learning Centre
87 Warwick Street, Digby
Free Admission
Recommended for ages 12 +
About the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of Nova Scotians living with mental illness and their loved ones. We raise funds for vital programs and services that help make this possible, province-wide.
###
Contact:
Jennifer Lewandowski, Communications Lead
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
T: 902.464.3210
E: jennifer.lewandowski@nshealth.ca