Trauma happens every day. Trauma can have a profound negative impact on a person's physical, psychological, mental and social health and well-being. We need a community-based non-profit organization in East Hants and surrounding areas to provide counselling, support, education and resources to individuals, families and communities affected by trauma. There is a high need to have this resource available.

East Hants and surrounding areas currently do not have a community-based non-profit organization for citizens and community members affected by trauma. There are long-wait times for mental health services in the province of Nova Scotia and there are limited resources for all gender survivors of trauma. We recognize the value and importance of having a trauma resource in our community for the citizens of East Hants and surrounding areas.

The After Trauma Empowerment Network (ATEN)(www.atenns.ca) is a non-profit organization that currently provides professional counselling, support, education and resources to individuals, families and communities, in East Hants and surrounding areas, affected by trauma.

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who support ATEN and urge our government leaders to provide financial assistance and annual operational funding to ATEN to be able to provide counselling, support, education and resources to individuals and families affected by trauma in East Hants and surrounding areas.