Community Mental Wellness Services
Programs & Activities
Contact Number: 902-831-2711
Contact Email: angela.baker@lennoxisland.com
Location: Lennox Island Health Centre
Community mental wellness services are available to all Band members living on and off-reserve, including counselling with a counselling therapist or psychologist. Elders are also available to assist in your mental wellness journey and are an important part of our team.
Please contact our Medical Office Assistant or Angela Baker, our Mental Wellness Lead, to make a referral for yourself, your child, or a loved one.
Your therapist or psychologist will meet with you and develop a counselling plan that works best for you.
Lennox Island Band members also have the opportunity to meet with therapists registered under the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. Please contact Angela Baker to assist you with a referral or reach out to one of the NIHB providers.
Please choose a topic below or scroll down to learn more
Play Therapy →
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Group →
Emergency Mental Health Supports →
Weekly Psychologist Clinic →
Cultural Teachings →
Mind Medicine and Y Mind →
Play Therapy
Contact Number: 902-831-2711
Contact Email: angela.baker@lennoxisland.com
Location: Lennox Island Health Centre
Play therapy is a treatment approach specifically developed to help children between 3 and 12 years old.
A trained mental health professional, called a play therapist, works with a child to explore and resolve problems through the therapeutic use of play. The child and therapist work together in a counselling space equipped with specially chosen toys that encourage the safe expression of feelings and support the development of healthier behaviors.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Group
Contact Number: 902-831-2711
Contact Email: angela.baker@lennoxisland.com
Location: Lennox Island Health Centre
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a form of therapy that focuses on changing unhelpful ways of thinking and learning other emotional management skills.
DBT is an effective treatment for people who have a hard time regulating their emotions and/or have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Each winter, the LIHC hosts a weekly DBT Skills group. Group members learn strategies related to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness from a skilled facilitator. The goal is to help participants manage their emotions, problem-solve, and cope with challenges more effectively.
Emergency Mental Health Supports
There are three emergency mental health hotlines available to you and your loved ones.
Canada’s Mental Health Hotline | Call or text 988
If you or someone you love is having a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 for support and suicide prevention services.
This hotline is available in all provinces and territories 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free of charge.
The Hope for Wellness Help Line | Call 1-855-242-3310
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer immediate support and crisis intervention.
Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.
Kids Help Phone | Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text 686868
Kids Help Phone’s mental health services are available across Canada for kids, teens, and young adults. They offer e-mental health services 24/7 and a hotline for kids to have a confidential conversation with a real person.
Call their free help line at 1-800-668-6868, text 686868, or connect to chat online at www.kidshelpphone.ca.
Weekly Psychologist Clinic
Contact Name: Medical Office Assistant (MOA)
Contact Number: (902) 831 2711
Contact Email: Melissa.clements@lennoxisland.com
Location: Lennox Island Health Centre
Dr. Neil McLure is available at the Lennox Island Health Centre weekly on Wednesdays. He offers therapy sessions, assessments, and diagnoses for on-reserve community members.
Please contact our Medical Office Assistant (MOA) to schedule an appointment with Dr. McLure.
One-On-One Mental Health Support For Adults
Contact Name: Angela Baker
Contact Number: 902 831 2711
Contact Email: Angela.baker@lennoxisland.com
Many members of our team provide one-on-one support to help community members improve their overall mental health. We can also assist you in finding additional support if needed.
If you are struggling with stress or anxiety or feeling alone, please reach out to one of our team members or Angela, and we will make sure you are supported.
Cultural Teachings
Contact Name: Tracy Maclennan
Contact Number: 902-831-2711
Contact Email: tracy.maclennan@lennoxisland.com
Location: Lennox Island Health Centre
Connecting with our shared culture is important to maintaining mental well-being. At LIHC, we offer various opportunities for community members to learn, share, and practice cultural traditions including Traditional Tuesdays (drop-in), Weaving Wednesdays, and one-on-one sessions.
Please contact Tracy Maclennan for more information and to book a one-on-one session.
Living Life To The Full
Contact Name: Drake MacDonald
Contact Number: (902) 831-2711
Contact Email: drake.macdonald@lennoxisland.com
Living Life to the Full is a self-help program designed for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. This fun and interactive course will help you understand your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and what to do about them! You’ll learn new ways of dealing with what life throws at you, how to feel more confident, and how to worry less.
The program takes place in a group setting every week over 8 sessions and is offered several times a year.
Mind Medicine and Y Mind
Contact Name: Angela Baker
Contact Number: 902 831 2711
Contact Email: angela.baker@lennoxisland.com
We offer Mind Medicine and Y Mind to youth attending Hernewood Intermediate School and Westisle Composite School.
These programs are group-based, early-intervention mental wellness programs developed to help Indigenous youth who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or stress. The programs help young people build coping skills such as mindfulness and provide an opportunity to connect with others who are dealing with similar experiences.
The programs are offered to Westisle students in the fall and Hernewood students in the spring.
Men’s Groups
Contact Name: Drake MacDonald
Contact Number: 902 831 2711
Contact Email: drake.macdonald@lennoxisland.com
Location: The Building Next to Health Centre
The Men’s Group offers support and socializing in a safe and relaxed space, where you can be yourself without fear of judgement. Drop in whenever you can; there’s no need to RSVP or make a long-term commitment.
Hang out with other men who share similar experiences and/or interests. Talk about what’s on your mind or just listen to others; it’s totally up to you. Get support and encouragement from guys who understand what you’re going through. Our hope is that you’ll leave feeling heard, supported, and maybe even a little wiser.
The Men’s Group meets in the building next to the Lennox Island Health Centre. Contact Drake MacDonald to learn more.
Contact Name: Blair Creelman
Contact Number: 902-831-2711
Contact Email: creely@hotmail.com
Location: Out in community
Times Offered: November to April
The Men’s Group runs from November to April each year. Any male band/community member in need of additional support is encouraged to participate. The group is casual and provides opportunities for participants to have fun and socialize with other men from the community. Activities include, but are not limited to: archery, playing pool, going to the movies, etc.
Youth Life Skills Group
Contact Name: Stacey Bishop
Contact Number: (902) 831-2711
Contact Email: Stacey.bishop@lennoxisland.com
Location: LIHC
The Youth Life Skills Group is a safe and supportive space for young people to develop essential life skills, build confidence, and connect with others. Topics may include:
- Goal setting and achievement
- Time management and organization
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
- Healthy relationships and boundaries
- Stress management and mental wellness
- Independent living skills and self-care
Benefits of attending the Youth Life Skills Group include:
- Developing practical skills for everyday life
- Building positive relationships with peers and mentors
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Learning to navigate challenges and setbacks
- Enjoying fun, interactive activities