For people with mental illness, finding and maintaining meaningful work can be difficult, a struggle one Maritime organization is aiming to make a little easier.

The Crossroads Cape Breton Clubhouse in Sydney is one of about 330 clubhouses like it in the world. Their goal is to help those with mental illness develop new skills and see a new world of opportunities.

Colleen MacKenzie is a Crossroads coordinator. She says the format of the clubhouse helps people rebuild their lives one step at a time

“It allows people to start feeling positive about themselves. To build feelings of self-worth, that they have skills and talents and strengths to bring to the table,” says MacKenzie.

Kyle Cantwell works on updating the Crossroads Cape Breton website. He’s always had the technical skills for that type of job, but like many people, his struggle with mental illness has made keeping a job difficult at times.

“I had come to a point where I couldn't work anymore with my social anxiety, anxiety, and depression,” says Cantwell.

That was three years ago. Today, thanks to the education and employment programs at Crossroads, Cantwell is working full-time and volunteers for the organization which helped him get back on his feet.

“I find coming in here gives me a sense of accomplishment. I still come here to, it's part of my recovery, but it's also to help the clubhouse,” says Cantwell.

With the help of a $10,000 grant through the Bell Let's Talk program, Crossroads has started a media training program, teaching members the skills to use different kinds of digital technology.

“I've got a great teacher teaching me how to use all the software and hopefully one day I'll be able to do it all on my own,” says clubhouse member Donnie Wambolt.

The group has used their new skills to put together an anti-stigma video that they hope will be widely shared.

“If we can get into the schools and let the students know that there is help out there for them,” says Wambolt.

“They might identify with it, ‘oh I have this condition’, or ‘someone I know has this condition’ or ‘maybe I shouldn't be mocking someone because they have this condition,’” says Cantwell.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Sarah Ritchie