October 10, 2023 (Dartmouth, NS) – On this World Mental Health Day, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is proud to announce it has awarded more than $1.642M to 87 initiatives throughout the province. The funding will increase access to mental health programming by supporting the delivery of community-based projects with a focus on peer support, education, and community connection.
“We are receiving more grant applications than ever,” says Starr Cunningham, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President & CEO. “As the demand for mental health funding grows so does our commitment to meet the need. Our donors, sponsors, partners, and volunteers empower us to do that.”
The funded programs will provide innovative support to individuals and their loved ones, with a particular focus on suicide prevention, youth, vulnerable populations, diverse communities, mental health education and addiction.
Mainline, a project of the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Society, was awarded $25,000. The funding will provide a navigator to support individuals with complex needs to access essential services and make improvements to their own health and living conditions. It will impact a highly marginalized and stigmatized group of Nova Scotians.
“Our clients face so many barriers to accessing services that are critical to their survival and well being,” says Jo Parker, Mainline Program Coordinator. “With the support of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, we are thrilled to have a Wellness Navigator in place.”
In addition to Community Grants, the Foundation also awarded Named Grants including the Emera Youth Mental Health Grant, the Bluedrop Training & Simulation Grant, the Scotiabank Resiliency Grant, and the Pringle Wilson Indigenous, Black and People of Colour Grant.
Applications were scored by an independent volunteer Grants Selection Committee made up of community and health leaders including Bryan Rice, Morgan Manzer, Lorna Griffin-Fillier, Barbara Hall, Dorothy Edem and Fiona Kirkpatrick-Parsons.
You can access a complete list of Second Round Community Grants and Named Grants funded here – Community Grants 2023-24 — Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia (mentalhealthns.ca)
About the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity dedicated to increasing financial support to community initiatives that provide hope and eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction. Its mission is to make a difference in the lives of Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addiction, and their loved ones by funding mental health programs and services province-wide.
For more information, please contact Monica Jordan, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia Grants Lead – monica.jordan@nshealth.ca