Building a Mental Health & Addictions Ecosystem

Children and youth make up 25 per cent of our population, but 100 per cent of our future. That’s why the IWK is leading the creation of a first-of-its-kind Ecosystem for Child & Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions. This Ecosystem will connect mental health and addiction services for young people and their families, ensuring they can access the support they need when and where they need it most.

One key piece of the Ecosystem is Anchor Youth Space, formerly known as Integrated Youth Services-Nova Scotia.

Group of young people holding a red banner that reads 'anchor youth space cumberland' at a YMCA event, with balloons and flags in the background.

In communities across Nova Scotia, Anchor Youth Spaces provide free, walk-in health and wellness services for youth aged 12 to 25 and their caregivers. Led by local organizations and supported by IWK Health, these welcoming spaces offer support for mental health, addictions, housing, employment, life skills, and more.

What makes Anchor truly special is the involvement of youth and caregivers through provincial Youth and Caregiver Advisory Councils, comprised of young people aged 12 to 25 and caregivers with lived experiences. These councils offer input on the design of the sites and the services they offer, ensuring they reflect community needs.

Anchor Youth Space

Several members of the Youth and Caregiver Advisory Councils at the opening of the first Anchor Youth Space in Cumberland County.

Young woman standing on a wooded path with trees in the background, smiling at the camera. She is wearing glasses, a rainbow-colored knitted cardigan, a black t-shirt with colorful drink illustrations, and a pink crossbody bag.

“Growing up, it was hard to know where to go for mental health support. Having one location for information and programming would have made it less confusing. If I had some of the Anchor services and programs in my youngest years, maybe it would have helped prevent some of the struggles I eventually faced.”

– Jenna, member of the Youth Advisory Council

The IWK Foundation is proud to work with philanthropic partners and donors to raise $10 million to help establish eight Anchor Youth Spaces across Nova Scotia with a total of five sites open by the end of 2025.

Group of people posing for a photo in front of a black curtain with the IW K Foundation logo during an event. The group includes men and women dressed in formal attire, standing on a decorated stage with colorful streamers on the floor.

The Garron family at the IWK in September 2024.

In September 2024, Myron and Berna Garron announced a catalyst $25 million commitment to support another essential piece of the Ecosystem—a reimagined therapeutic environment for Intensive Services—for children and youth who are very sick but do not require inpatient care. These patients may require intensive rehabilitative interventions, over longer periods of time, beyond what can be offered in an outpatient clinic.

Thank you, Myron and Berna, for believing in the IWK and for investing in the future of mental health care for Maritime children and youth.

Read the press release here