Laura Clark (Mental Health Foundation ) and Mario Rolle (Nova Scotia Brotherhood) accept a $10,000 donation from Ana + Zac owners, Anna Gilkerson and Zac Barkhouse.
December 17, 2020 (Dartmouth, NS) - The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is proud to announce its newest funding initiative in partnership with the Nova Scotia Brotherhood. The Foundation has created the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Fund to raise money to enhance the programming currently being provided by the Brotherhood.
"We are incredibly pleased to help increase financial support to this innovative program," says Foundation President & CEO Starr Cunningham. "This fund will allow us to advocate for the Brotherhood as allies and enhance the creative ways NSBI is engaging and supporting Nova Scotian men of African descent to access mental health programs and services throughout the province."
Thanks to fundraising efforts over the past six months by local retailers Ana + Zac, the Brotherhood Fund will be bolstered with a $10,000 donation upon launch.
"Mental health is an integral part of healthcare and for the well being of society as a whole," say business owner Anna Gilkerson. "After such a difficult year for Nova Scotians we wanted to give back and in particular to Black Nova Scotians who too often get left behind. We are proud of our community and thank everyone who has helped us raise these funds for the Nova Scotia Brotherhood.”
The funding will support the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative's culturally specific health programming for African Nova Scotian men. Adapted from the successful Project Brotherhood in Chicago’s South Side, the initiative works to address health disparities often faced by males of African descent. Research shows that black men face a higher risk for mental illness and addiction, and often face barriers to accessing health care because of various issues including socio-economic status, racism or under-employment.
"The Nova Scotia Brotherhood takes a holistic approach to black men’s health based on the social determinants of health. We are really pleased to be selected for support from the Foundation," said Mario Rolle, Team Lead, Nova Scotia Brotherhood, Nova Scotia Health. "This grant will help us to expand our work on mental health initiatives for Black men."
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is proud to support the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative and is actively seeking further opportunities to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour who live with mental illness and addiction. Nova Scotia Brotherhood is an initiative of Primary Health Care, Nova Scotia Health. To learn more and contribute to the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative Fund visit mentalhealthns.ca/nsbi.
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The Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative is a free program for Black men to access health care in the community to improve overall health and wellbeing. A team of health care professionals provide culturally-appropriate primary medical care plus health and wellness services for men of African descent across Halifax Regional Municipality. Health and wellness services include mental health services, primary medical care, health promotion and wellness education, chronic disease management, navigation to community resources, and a variety of free health and wellness programs including the Men's Health League and Black Men's Health Conference.
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The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity that works to increase financial support to community initiatives throughout Nova Scotia while providing hope and eradicating the stigma around mental illness and addiction. Since 2006, the Foundation has provided more than $5.5 million in funding to programs and community organizations who support those living with mental illness and addiction.
Media Contact:
Jill Chappell
Marketing & Communications Lead
jill.chappell@nshealth.ca
902.717.5981