A new treatment center has opened on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, offering specialized support for first responders and veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, and addiction.
Located in Head of Jeddore, about 45 minutes from Halifax, the facility is operated by EHN Guardians. It is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, exclusively serving military, RCMP, veterans, and first responders.
Joe Magnet, CEO of EHN Guardians, said at the grand opening, “If you spent your life carrying the load for others, you no longer have to carry it alone. Help is here in a place built for you.”
The center features 23 bedrooms, a gym, and a detox facility, with four nurses and 24/7 mental health and addiction support. It offers a seven-week trauma program and a nine-week addiction program, with additional substance abuse treatments expected this fall.
Helen Luedee, executive director of EHN Canada, noted, “We have detox here... and they’ll see some of the rooms they’ll set up for ketamine treatment.” The aim is to set a new standard of care for first responders.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 12 to 23 percent of first responders will experience PTSD in their lifetimes.