Eskasoni Mental Health
Service Overview
Eskasoni Mental Health and Social Work Service (EMH&SWS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. EMH & SWS is not-for-profit organizations established in 1991. Over the years the organization has continued to evolve and grow with help of the community and a variety of funding sources. We have grown from a staff of one, to a staff of eleven offering a range of programs. EMH & SWS is a safe, confidential, place where community members can come to address the wide variety of issues confronting them.
Governance Structure
EMH & SWS staffs are employees of The Eskasoni Band Council and are accountable to Chief and Council. EMH & SWS comes immediately under the Eskasoni Health Director. We are currently funded through three contribution agreements.
Agency Mandate
The mandate of the Eskasoni Mental Health and Social Work Service (EMH&SWS) is to provide services directly to the people of Eskasoni. Utilizing the idea of “meeting people where they are”, EMH&SWS delivers the services that are culturally appropriate, timely and accessible to the people. We believe that access to essential services and culturally appropriate programs is a right and not a privilege; it is this fundamental principle that the services are developed and provided.
Agency Goals and Objectives
- Provide a continuity of service
- Improve the community’s capacity to mobilize and respond to crises
- Maintain community-based, family oriented programs based on prevention, treatment and evaluation
- Provide relevant services – to “bridge the gap” between families and agencies outside the community
- Design programs that are holistic in scope and nature
- Design programs that are culturally sensitive
- Network with other agencies and services within the community to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and prevention
- Develop long term strategies which enable individuals and families to make healthy life choices
- Identify individuals at risk
- Mobilize available resources to assist those at risk
- Evaluate our Agency by means of worker evaluations, statistical recording, analysis of data and community feedback
- Promote a balanced lifestyle conducive to a playful spirit
- Expand and enhance services currently provided by our agency, with a particular emphasis on youth
- Provide clinical counselling services to the community
Agency Services
- Groups
- Liaison
- Outreach
- Special Projects
Counselling for Individuals, Couples, and Families:
- Grief
- Crisis Counselling & Intervention
- Sexual Abuse/Assault
- Suicide Intervention/Prevention
- Family Break-up
- Trauma
- Residential School Issues
- Depression
- Family Violence
- Addictions
Special Projects/Programs
Community Therapeutic
