Local musicians, youth performers and community organizers gathered in Eastern Passage this weekend for a two-day music marathon aimed at raising money and awareness for mental health initiatives across the community. The fifth annual Music 4 Mental Health fundraiser featured dozens of performers at the Eastern Passage Buffalo Club, with proceeds supporting school programs, youth initiatives, seniors groups and other local organizations focused on mental wellness. Organizers say the event was created during the COVID-19 pandemic after community members saw a growing need for more accessible mental health supports. “On the East Coast, we all love live music, and we all know that music makes us feel good,” said Maliya Parker, vice-president of the Music 4 Mental Health Association. “So, we thought, why not plan an event with live music at the centre, and then see if we could raise some money to put towards mental wellness initiatives in our community.” This year’s fundraiser expanded into a two-day event, with youth showcases, acoustic performances and full-band sets spread across multiple stages. Paisley said the event has continued to grow through word-of-mouth and community support, adding that organizers have even had waiting lists of performers in recent years. “We’ve had bands that wanted to come back, but we were already committed to other areas,” said Jaymie Paisley, president of the association. “We had three or four bands that came in at the last minute and said, ‘We want to perform, can you squeeze us in?’” According to organizers, performers volunteer their time, while donations are raised through sponsorships, raffles and community support. The organization says the fundraiser has raised more than $91,000 over the past five years. Funds have gone toward mental wellness programs in local schools and community organizations. Maliya Parker, vice-president of the association, said the openness around mental health conversations has shifted significantly in recent years. Download the CTV News App for breaking news alerts and video on all the top stories “It used to be such a ‘no’ if you mentioned mental illness or mental wellness, everybody had to hide it,” said Parker. “Now, where everything is so open, it has to be addressed, and the openness is the only way it’s going to be helped.” Local performer Tyler Salsman, who returned to the event for a second year, said music can be an important outlet for people struggling with mental health. “Music is a lot of people’s way of expressing their mental health,” said Salsman. “I think it’s a very good representation of that kind of thing.” Youth performers also took part in the fundraiser, with some saying they hope proceeds can help support school music and mental health programs. “Music brings people together and helps everybody out in so many ways,” said performer Caleb Ross. Mental health advocates at the event said the need for accessible services continues to grow across Nova Scotia, particularly in rural communities. “The need for mental health services is all over Nova Scotia,” said Jarah Gregory with Teresa Core Mental Health. “It’s being underfunded, underrepresented in rural areas.” Gregory added that private mental health care can often be financially out of reach for many people, with therapy costs ranging between $150 and $300 per session. Organizers say they hope the fundraiser continues encouraging conversations around mental health while showing community members that support is available. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page