November 9, 2017: The ACCESS Open Minds team in Eskasoni First Nation, Nova Scotia, celebrated the Grand Opening of their Youth Space – as well as the ongoing transformation of youth mental health services in the community – to a building of supporters from both the community and from around the country. The space, which was designed with and for Eskasoni’s youth, serves as the main hub for the Eskasoni Mental Health Services’ ACCESS OM team, which serves the community’s young people in supporting their health and wellbeing. The evening was a showcase of the space and the transformational work done undertaken by everyone participating; opening prayer, songs, remarks and speeches by Eskasoni Chief Leroy Denny, ACCESS OM team members, supporters, and others were accompanied by sharing of art, song, food, and celebrations.

Listen to this CBC Radio spot about the event and project, read coverage of the event in the Cape Breton Post, and read the CBC News article leading up to the event. You can also follow the site’s event hashtag, #AOMEskasoniYouth2017, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Eskasoni team wishes to thank their main sponsors, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, the Graham Boeckh Foundation, Mi’kmaw Family & Children’s Services of Nova Scotia, the Eskasoni Band Council, the Province of Nova Scotia, and MacGillivray Law.