‘For youth, by youth:’ Mental health group home opens in Saskatoon

Young people in Saskatoon now have access to a second mental health group home.

The new eight-space home, called Garden of Hope, provides youth-driven therapeutic housing for young people aged 12 to 18.

The home will provide both outreach services and a safe space for young people to get help with issues including suicide attempts and self-harm while remaining in the community.

The home officially opened in Saskatoon on Friday.

Don Meikle, executive director of EGADZ, said he’s very excited to see the project come to fruition, and noted that young people have played a major role.

“This project has youth involvement from conception to completion, laying the groundwork that will assist youth well into the future,” Meikle said in a statement. “It is a true home that is for youth, by youth.”

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The project was made possible by a partnership between the provincial government and EGADZ, a Saskatoon-based organization working to improve the quality of life for youths.

The province has chipped in $1.05 million for the project, as part of a larger commitment to developing mental health group homes in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.

“Supporting this home is part of our effort to ensure that we meet the mental health needs of youth,” Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s minister of mental health and addictions, added in the same statement.

“I appreciate the great work that EGADZ is doing to provide services that can reduce self-harming behaviours and help our youth on a path to wellness.”