Supporting Sackville and area youth with mental health care, close to home

Laing House receives Medavie grant.

Sackville, NS – Laing House is receiving a $50,000 grant from Medavie to provide youth in Sackville, Bedford and Fall River with access to mental health support and a positive, non-judgmental space to come together, close to home. Serving youth aged 15-19, the Laing House Sackville program is run in partnership with IWK Bedford/Sackville Community Health Team and the Cobequid Youth Health Centre. This funding brings Medavie’s support of Laing House to over $300,000.

Through our Foundation, Medavie supports community-based programs aligned with child and youth mental health, post-traumatic stress, and type 2 diabetes. Since late 2011, Medavie Health Foundation has committed over $13 million to single and multi-year grant and partnership programs.

Quick Facts

  • Laing House Sackville is part of HRM Parks and Recreation’s Sackville Youth Centre, located in the Acadia Centre at 636 Sackville Drive.
  • A crucial component of recovery from mental illness, peer support programs help people develop the skills they need to take charge of their lives, while also helping alleviate pressure on the healthcare system by reducing the need for hospitalization.1
  • It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.2

This funding was announced last evening at Laing House Sackville with partner and stakeholders in attendance.

“As a not-for-profit health solutions partner, Medavie is committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. Through investments in programs and innovative solutions, we help people live well and enable easier access to quality health care in our communities. Providing youth with access to community-based mental health care aligns with our Foundation’s belief that all Canadians, especially young Canadians, should have access to the tools and supports they need to live their best lives.”

Bernard Lord, CEO, Medavie

“We are thrilled to have Medavie as a partner in this project. Access to early intervention programs and services, located in a fun support environment, for youth dealing with mental health issues is essential to their future success as adults. We know the challenges with public sector funding. Partnering with Medavie is one way of leveraging support so our youth have a better chance of fostering positive relationships and developing good life skills.”

Hilary Rankin, Executive Director, Laing House

Associated Links

Laing House
1 Mental Health Commission of Canada
2 Canadian Mental Health Association

About Laing House

Laing House is a peer support organization for youth with mental illness where members can embrace their unique gifts and find their way in a caring and supportive environment. Laing House youth are between 16 and 30 years of age and have a diagnosis of mood disorder, psychosis and/or anxiety disorder. Laing House Sackville and Laing House Yarmouth work with youth with or without a diagnosed mental illness.


Our Mission is to Improve the Wellbeing of Canadians.

Medavie is a health company that oversees Medavie Blue Cross and Medavie Health Services. Together, we’re bringing Canadians better health and access to care.