Network of New Brunswick youth wellness hubs come together to celebrate a new identity
Saint John, NB – September 22, 2026 – Youth hubs across the province, the Government of New Brunswick, and the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick, gathered today in celebration of the launch of New Brunswick Integrated Youth Services’ (NB-IYS) identity: Forge.
Forge joins a nationwide network of Integrated Youth Services, which brings free mental health, substance use, primary care, social, and peer support services for young people ages 12-25 in communities across New Brunswick.
“Forge hubs are very important for our communities as they aim to give youth and their families easier access to services including mental, physical, sexual health, academic support, peer support, social services, substance abuse and system navigation,” said Justice Minister Robert McKee, who is also minister responsible for addictions and mental health services. “The government is very proud to be a key partner in such an important initiative and looks forward to what the future has in store for Forge sites.”
The brand launch comes at the heels of an announcement in May surrounding the federal government’s commitment to invest in mental health care for youth across New Brunswick. The announcement outlined a commitment of $10 million through the Youth Mental Health Fund, which covers support for the development of mobile and virtual mental health care, extending access to services to youth living in rural and remote areas of the province.
“Forge, Piluwawtuwicik and Mawi ’leka’temk represent more than a shared identity — they reflect how this movement has been built,” said Kristen Barnes, Director of Forge. “Forge is rooted in partnership with communities. Each community brings its own strengths, cultures, relationships and knowledge, and those must remain at the heart of how Forge grows. Across New Brunswick, we are bringing those voices together to build something stronger: a connected system where young people are welcomed, valued and supported in ways that make sense for them and for the communities they call home.”
Three Forge hubs are already operational in Moncton, Saint John, and Caraquet, which serves the Acadian Peninsula. Three more hubs are currently in development, and soon to open in Fredericton, Elsipogtog, and Neqotkuk.
Young people can visit Forge hubs across the province without a referral. Services vary between hubs, from employment services, to counselling, to recreational activities, among several others.
“We want young people to know they do not have to navigate a complicated system on their own,” said Christa Baldwin, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick, on behalf of Forge’s Oversight Committee. “What makes this work special is that we are building it together with young people, families, Indigenous communities, service providers, government and community partners.”
“There is more work ahead,” said Christa,” but Forge gives us a shared identity and a shared commitment to keep moving forward together. When we build around young people instead of asking young people to navigate around us, we create something stronger. That is what Forge is about.”
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About Forge:
Forge — formerly known as NB-IYS (New Brunswick Integrated Youth Services) — connects young people aged 12 to 25 with free services included mental health, substance use, primary care, social, and peer support through youth wellness hubs across the province. Built on the pan-Canadian Integrated Youth Services framework and the national ACCESS Open Minds network, Forge is championed by CMHA of NB, with support from the Government of New Brunswick, Graham Boeckh Foundation, Medavie, Bell, McConnell Foundation, Green Shield Canada, Skyline, and Co-operators. Forge also hold a research partnership with Université de Moncton. Forge hubs are open in Moncton, Saint John, and the Acadian Peninsula, with hubs in development in Fredericton, Elsipogtog, and Neqotkuk.