Revolutionizing Mental Health
and Addictions Support
The IWK is proud to be creating the first Ecosystem for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions in the world. Your support helps ensure that, no matter where children and youth are on their mental health journey, the IWK will be there to help them navigate the care they need, when and where they need it.
Learn more by visiting iwkfoundation.org/ecosystem
From Surviving to Thriving: Brooke’s Story
When Brooke began experiencing anxiety at 13, she was initially worried about ‘the small stuff’. But when the Millbrook, Nova Scotia, teen began losing weight and self-harming, her mom, Mandy, knew she needed urgent help.
Mandy encouraged Brooke to contact the IWK’s Central Referral toll-free number for mental health support, which led to an appointment with a mental health clinician. From there, it was recommended that Brooke be admitted as an inpatient to the Adolescent Intensive Services (AIS) program.
AIS is a day and inpatient program for youth ages 13 to their 19th birthday with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Care teams offer specialized treatment services to best meet the needs of the youth who attend.
During her three-month stay at AIS, Brooke spent time in therapeutic groups and received individual and family therapy focused on treatment goals that helped her move forward. She also spent time engaging in life skills, recreation, and leisure therapy.
Today, Brooke is thriving and is grateful for the mental health support she received from the IWK. In August, she modelled for Halifax Fashion Week and also hosted a beading workshop during the We’kopekitk Pageant.
A catalyst gift from Myron and Berna Garron will support a reimagined therapeutic environment for IWK mental health and addictions intensive services in the community.
Brooke, IWK patient
Bringing Mental Health Care Closer to Home
The Anchor Youth Space North End Halifax team host a Breakfast Club every Thursday morning, where youth can enjoy a warm, nutritious meal, and connect and build relationships with peers and supportive staff.
Young people are facing pressures and stress like never before.
With 1 in 4 Canadian youth affected by mental health or substance use challenges, demand for mental health and addictions services continues to grow.
At Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia, youth aged 12 to 25 years can access free, one-stop, rapid access to mental health care, addiction support, primary care, vocational services, housing support services, and more. Led by the IWK in partnership with local community organizations, sites connect youth with the right support, at the right time, closer to home.
Youth Advisory Committees have guided the development of Anchor Youth Space every step of the way. Robust engagement and feedback also ensure the voices of local youth are at the forefront of all Anchor Youth Space work.
Anchor Youth Space Cumberland celebrated their one-year anniversary with a community dinner that welcomed over 100 people from across Cumberland County.
Since opening in 2025, Anchor Youth Space sites in Cumberland (Amherst), Sydney, and North End Halifax have served over 600 youth across 6,600 visits, including drop-ins, counselling support, and structured programming. This impact will grow even more when sites in Bridgewater and Spryfield open in 2026, with Pictou County, Eastern Zone Mi’kmaq Communities (Eskasoni), and Yarmouth sites following in 2027.
The IWK Foundation is proud to work with the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada, philanthropic partners, and donors to help establish eight Anchor Youth Space sites across Nova Scotia.
“It’s like a second home. No matter what I need, I know I can get help here.
If you need resources, come to Anchor. If you need to be alone, come to Anchor.
If you want to meet people, come to Anchor. No matter what, you will always be welcomed.”
— Youth Supported at Anchor Youth Space Sydney
National Recognition for the Garron Centre
The Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, made possible thanks to donor support, has earned the prestigious Certificate of Special Recognition from the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CACAP)—a national award for meaningful, lasting contributions to child and adolescent mental health.
“This recognition speaks to the dedication, passion, and expertise of the entire team,” says Dr. Sabina Abidi, Interim Chief of Psychiatry IWK Health. “It’s a wonderful acknowledgement of the difference the Garron Centre team is making, as individuals and, collectively, as an organization.”
(L–R): Dr. Alexa Bagnell, former IWK Chief of Psychiatry, Dr. Kyle Godden, a psychiatrist with the Garron Centre team, and Dr. Sabina Abidi, Interim Chief of Psychiatry, accepted the honour at the CACAP annual conference in St. John’s, NL.