New Fund to support Mental Health and Addictions patients in Cape Breton

The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation is proud to launch a new fund aimed at supporting Mental Health and Addictions patients at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital (CBRH) who are experiencing financial need.

The Mental Health and Addictions Patient Care Fund will help cover costs for items such as prescriptions not covered by insurance, comfort items (i.e. winter clothing), travel for the purpose of healthcare, recreational therapy initiatives, dental work and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred while being treated and cared for by Mental Health and Addiction Services within the CBRH or associated community programs.

“As someone who has worked as a nurse in the department of mental health and addictions, I understand the tremendous need in our communities for programs like this,” says Brian Comer, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “I commend the Foundation for their work in coordination with healthcare experts for launching this new initiative for the people of Nova Scotia Health’s Eastern Zone.”

The new Fund is modelled after the Foundation’s successful Cancer Patient Care Fund, which supports more than 45 Cape Breton cancer patients in financial need each month. The goal of each Fund is to ease financial burden so for patients and their families, during recovery so that they can better focus on their health.

“We are grateful for the Foundation and it’s donors for creating this important Fund.” Says Nadine Wadden, Director, Mental Health and Addictions Eastern Zone (NSH). “Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Eastern Zone makes more than 75,000 patient contacts to 10,000 unique individuals each year” she says, explaining that a contact could be an inpatient admission or outpatient visit. ”We recognize the impact COVID-19 has had on our communities and this funding from the Foundation will greatly support our patients and families in need of Mental Health and Addictions care going forward.”

Since launching in May 2021, this new fund has provided prescriptions, musical instruments, gym passes, outdoor recreational sport equipment, dental work and more, to Cape Breton patients in need.

“Mental Health and Addictions is an important part of healthcare here in Cape Breton,” says Paula MacNeil, CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. “The new Mental Health and Addictions Patient Care Fund will allow donors to directly support and positively impact the lives of Cape Breton patients, when they need it most.”

Those wishing to give to the Mental Health and Addictions Patient Care Fund can do so by visiting cbrhfoundation.ca/donate.