The Nova Scotia Health Authority in partnership with the Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia has announced a new initiative in support of people living with mental illness and addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Be the Link campaign opened on April 7 and funds raised will be used to provide clients with no access to phone or Internet the means to communicate .
Leslie Anthony-Clark, manager of Outpatient Mental Health and Addictions Services for the South Shore, said they are very excited about the initiative and are in the process of collecting information on the number of clients on the South Shore who meet this requirement so they can provide the needed equipment to them.
“15 people have been identified so far but we expect that number to rise as we reach more people. This is a great project because we need to keep people connected and we are working on the logistics of getting those things into their hands” she said.
Jill Chappell, Marketing and Communications Lead with the Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia, said that the initiative is crucial in supporting those living with mental illness and addiction, especially during this time of social distancing and self isolation as people find themselves cut off from important support networks that are necessary for recovery.
“Often these community members are some of our more vulnerable members and they might not have a cell phone, or Wi-Fi, or an iPad to be able to connect with loved ones or a counsellor so we are asking Nova Scotians to be the link to help make that connection,” she said.
1 in 5 Nova Scotians live with mental health issues or addiction.
Donations will be matched by Canada Helps and Gore Mutual Foundation as part of COVID-19 fundraising efforts.
