The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia was pleased to host its 5th annual Let’s Keep Talking on May 8 at the Spatz Theatre in Halifax, during Mental Health Week. Steven Page was the keynote speaker and he spoke and sang about his experiences with mental illness.
After the success of its inaugural event, Let’s Keep Talking for Clara’s Big Ride in 2014, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia has continued the tradition, calling on notable Canadian mental health advocates to keep the conversation going.
The event was emceed by Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia Board of Trustees member Paul Hollingsworth and featured Ashton Rodenhiser of Minds Eye Creative who produced a graphic representation of Steven Page’s keynote address.
Let’s Keep Talking honoured five Nova Scotians who have impacted the mental health community in our province. Outstanding Youth, Chris Southwell; Outstanding Senior, Clark Paul; Outstanding Healthcare Provider, Dr. Linda Courey; Outstanding Individual, Juanna Ricketts; and Outstanding Caregiver, Bev Fletcher were honoured for their efforts to spread mental health awareness and eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction.
“We are so excited to have brought Steven Page to Let’s Keep Talking and to have had him share his story during this celebration of outstanding individuals,” says Starr Cunningham, President & CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. “It was an amazing opportunity for deserving Nova Scotians to share the stage with a singer and storyteller who is truly dedicated to changing the way people think.”
Each award winner spoke poignantly about the importance of opening up a conversation around mental health in an effort to eradicate the stigma that surrounds mental illness and addiction.
“Mental Illness and those suffering from it can’t just be swept under the carpet,” said Outstanding Senior Clark Paul.
Steven Page spoke and sang to the audience about his experiences with mental illness and how he deals with the highs and lows of his disease.
“By standing up here and telling my story I am breaking down the stigma of mental illness,” said Steven. “Sometime the best thing you can do for someone with mental illness is to just be there and to listen.”
Steven Page received a standing ovation after his performance of his hit song ‘Brian Wilson’ and upon accepting the Let’s Keep Talking Outstanding Activist award on stage, presented to him by Kevin Fournier, Director of Sales - Nova Scotia and PEI, Bell Aliant.
The event raised funds for mental health programs and services across the province and was made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor: Bell Let’s Talk; Keynote Sponsors J&W Murphy Foundation and The Carleton; Award Sponsors: Emera, Blinkhorn Real Estate, Northwood In-touch, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine Department of Psychiatry.