DARTMOUTH, April 27, 2022 – The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia announced today that $1.26 million in grants has been awarded to 58 community-based programs and 50 Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Program initiatives. These projects align with the Foundation’s mission to eradicate stigma and will provide hope to Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addiction, and their loved ones. Funded organizations include those that support Nova Scotians who face insecure housing, poverty, racism and discrimination, violence, trauma, abuse, and social isolation.
According to Mental Health Research Canada, the pandemic continues to impact the mental health of Nova Scotians. Levels of mental illness remain at an all-time high with a quarter of Nova Scotians living with anxiety and depression and many of those struggling report symptoms of moderate to severe psychological distress.
“As Nova Scotians continue to be impacted by the effects of the pandemic, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is committed to the urgent creation of more mental health support, says Starr Cunningham, President & CEO. “We are proud to distribute this record-setting amount of funding to improve, establish, and expand programs that will empower Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addiction, and their loved ones through treatment and recovery.”
Last month, the government provided a one-time $3 million investment to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. Funding will be distributed through the Foundation’s Community Grants program starting in July. Priority will be given to organizations that serve Indigenous communities, members of 2SLGBTIQ+ communities, African Nova Scotians, newcomers, and people with disabilities. Organizations and individuals undertaking projects that will benefit the mental health of Nova Scotians are encouraged to apply.
“The isolation of [mental illness] makes you become a different person— a person who suffers alone,” says Payton Lewis, Online Support Program participant. “Without the support of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, I don’t want to think about what my world would look like. The life I am cultivating now with support is the only one I want to live. Thank you for ensuring that people like me have the supports that they need.”
Organizations like the Halifax Refugee Clinic and Eating Disorders Nova Scotia are using the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia funding to expand existing programming to address the unique needs of marginalized and racialized Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addiction.
“With support from the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, we’re connecting refugees and migrant survivors of trauma, war, and torture with vital psychological counseling and therapy,” says Julie Chamange, Halifax Refugee Clinic Executive Director. “The counseling is helping them heal from past persecution and deal with the process of preparing for their refugee hearings, which are highly personal, intrusive, and potentially re-traumatizing procedures.”
A complete list of the organizations receiving grants and the programs they will be implementing can be viewed here. The application process for the second round of Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia Community Grants will open on July 7, 2022.
About Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
Dedicated to increasing financial support to community initiatives that provide hope and eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity committed to funding more mental health support now. In the last year alone, the Foundation has partnered with more than 100 organizations throughout the province including hospitals, community service providers, retirement communities, schools, and universities to expand, enhance and establish programs that support Nova Scotians living with mental health and addiction, and their loved ones.
Media Inquiries:
Jill Chappell
Marketing & Communications Lead
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
902-717-5981