‘We eat, we laugh, we play, we cry:’ Lucasville, N.S., mental health program brings families together

A youth mental health initiative in Lucasville, Nova Scotia helps break silence and barriers for Black youth.

A youth mental health initiative in Lucasville, N.S., is breaking silence and barriers.

Since last spring, The Wallace Lucas Community Centre has transformed into a vibrant hub where students and their parents have meaningful conversations about mental and physical wellness.

“We all have challenges, whether it be challenges with family, with peers, with attending school, whether that be anxiety, periods of feeling sadness or going through depression or any sort of thing that is related to mental wellness,” says mental health nurse, Cynthia Jordan.

“So, this program actually offers young folks skills to carry through their life span, which is a really essential part of coping, throughout life.”

The program started with about a dozen junior-high students, with some parents eventually tagging along.

“It was a great opportunity for my son to be involved in this, where it gave him a chance to be open minded and to ask questions or to hear where to go to for resources, if he doesn’t want to come to me for information or answers about certain questions that could be embarrassing,” says parent, Kayleena Willis.

Jaden Hampden, a participant in the program says its provided a safe space for him to grow.

“I feel that it’s a good way for us to learn how to express ourselves and talk about our emotions instead of just keeping to ourselves,” says Hampden.

Cindy Parsons, the chairperson for the Lucasville Education Committee, says having those conversations in a community familiar to the participants, was an important piece for the success of the project.

“We eat, we laugh, we play, we cry. This is our community, and we want to be strong in our community,” says Parsons.

Janelle Oliver-Harris, a mentor in the program, says it’s a reminder of the importance of representation, especially where mental wellness is concerned.

“When I started my mental health journey, I was a victim of racialized bullying. So, when I was going in and I was talking about some of the things that were being said to me, it was kind of difficult for somebody who didn’t really look like me to understand where I was coming from and how deeply hurtful it could be. So, programs here where we’re going in and I’m seeing people that look like me, it just makes them feel so much more comfortable talking and sharing their experiences,” she says.

The initiative is still in its early states, but those involved want to see it expand.

“I would love to see more funding opportunities, donations of any sort… It helps to build trust within health care systems and build those partnerships, and it helps community and individuals to build their capacity to be able to navigate these challenging situations in these challenging times,” says Jordan.

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