How Just Us and Kennebec Manor are supporting seniors' mental health
At Kennebec Manor, a long-term care home in Saint John, a new partnership is helping to bridge a serious gap in seniors’ mental health care. Through a collaboration with Just Us, residents are now receiving free and low-cost therapy on site — support that’s been long needed and deeply appreciated.
Every other Friday, counselling intern Gabby Donovan visits the facility to meet one-on-one with residents in need of mental health support. For many, it’s the first time they’ve had a safe, consistent space to talk about the challenges of aging, isolation and long-held emotional pain.
“Being in a nursing home is difficult for them,” Gabby shares. “They don’t have a lot of mental health resources, and they often feel stuck, so they welcome any opportunity to talk to someone.”
Gabby, who also works part-time in a hospital neuro unit and is familiar with the senior population, was selected for this role because of her natural empathy and experience. Since April, she’s been counselling two residents, each with unique stories and emotional needs — one battling loneliness and depression, and another navigating complex mental health history and physical limitations.
“Talking with someone really helps,” Gabby says. “When it comes to mental health, people tend to forget about the older generation. But there’s a real want and need there.”
For Gillian Miller, Director of Care at Kennebec Manor, the impact has been undeniable. “One of the residents in counselling was in desperate need, and we had no resources left to offer her until Just Us came in,” Gillian says. “Since this resident started seeing Gabby, it’s been like night and day with her. I was amazed at the outcome. Having Gabby to talk to consistently has done a world of good.”
Access to mental health care in long-term care is often sporadic, and seniors are frequently overlooked. “We struggle daily to get any type of resources in here,” Gillian explains. “Mental health is underfunded and there just aren’t enough services to meet the need.”
The partnership began when a member of Kennebec’s leadership team heard about Just Us and reached out to see if they could receiving free counselling on-site. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with staff noting major improvements in residents’ well-being.
“There’s a lot of shock for residents when they lose their independence and ties to the community,” says Gillian. “Many come to us with undiagnosed mental health issues and no history of treatment. It would be amazing if every nursing home had a counsellor on site.”
While the service is partially subsidized—residents pay a nominal fee after the first three sessions—those with no financial means are still able to access support, thanks to the commitment of both Kennebec and Just Us.
As Gabby’s internship concludes in August, the hope is to continue and even expand the service. With 70 residents at Kennebec and a growing waiting list, the need is clear.
For now, these quiet sessions offer more than just therapy—they restore a sense of dignity, connection and care that every person, regardless of age, deserves.
If your organization is interested in partnering with Just Us, get in touch today!