October 5, 2021 (Dartmouth) – Five outstanding individuals are being honoured by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia for their inspirational contributions to the mental health community. The awards will be presented Friday, October 8th at noon during Let’s Keep Talking with Allison Garber presented by Bell Let’s Talk. The annual event takes place virtually and is free to attend thanks to the support of Bell and Keynote Sponsor, The Carleton.
“The Mental Health Foundation is delighted to award five Nova Scotians who are inspiring others with their dedication to mental health and wellness,” says Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President & CEO Starr Cunningham. “We invite you to join us to celebrate their contributions and listen to Allison Garber’s incredible story of resilience to help us mark Mental Illness Awareness Week.”
The 2021 Let’s Keep Talking awards will be presented to:
Shirin Mehrpooya, Outstanding Youth (Sponsored by IWK Mental Health & Addictions Program)
Shirin Mehrpooya is co-founder of AMPLIFY NS, a grassroots organization that empowers youth to safely and freely share their needs and concerns with local mental healthcare providers. The 3rd Year Dalhousie Medical Sciences student is involved in numerous mental health initiatives on campus and currently serves on the Mood Disorders Society of Canada Youth Advisory Council.
Jacqueline Coulson-Clements, Outstanding Senior (Sponsored by The Berkeley)
Jacqueline Coulson-Clements is an 80-year-old resident of the Annapolis Valley who uses her lived experience with Dissociative Identity Disorder to provide hope and support to others. Jackie is an active community volunteer through CORAH, the Center of Rural Aging & Health.
Mario Rolle, Outstanding Healthcare Provider (Sponsored by Dalhousie Department of Psychiatry)
Mario Rolle is a champion for health equity. He actively works to dismantle systemic racism by increasing access to culturally appropriate mental health supports and services. Presently the Team Lead for the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative, Mario recently teamed up with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia to create the Brotherhood Fund, a grant that enhances the mental health programming of the Brotherhood Initiative.
Steven Deveau, Outstanding Individual (Sponsored by J&W Murphy Foundation)
After a childhood shaped by trauma, years of mental illness, addiction, crime and incarceration, Steven Deveau now uses his lived experience and training to support others through anger and addiction recovery to make positive changes in their own lives.
Nadine Léger de Blois, Outstanding Caregiver (Sponsored by Nova Scotia Power)
Nadine Léger de Blois is the caregiver for a family member living with an Operational Stress Injury (OPI) and a Family Peer Support Coordinator for family members of individuals living with OPIs. Nadine advocates for better care and services for families impacted by OPIs, and develops valuable programs, educational opportunities to support families in their recovery.
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s 7th annual Let’s Keep Talking will be hosted by CTV Atlantic’s Paul Hollingsworth. The online event aims to provide hope and eradicate the stigma surrounding mental disorders while encouraging an ongoing conversation about mental health. It will feature keynote speaker and proud Nova Scotian, Allison Garber. The business owner, communications professional, and mother of two is a vocal advocate for mental health. She shares her story to help others who may be struggling and to combat the “wine mom” culture, a narrative that fuels the message that alcohol is self-care for women.
Let’s Keep Talking with Allison Garber is made possible by the generous support of presenting sponsor Bell Let’s Talk; keynote sponsor The Carleton; award sponsors: Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry, IWK Mental Health & Addictions, J&W Murphy Foundation, Nova Scotia Power, and The Berkeley. Funds raised will support mental illness and addiction programs across the province.
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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 addictions.
Let’s Keep Talking was launched in 2014 as part of Clara’s Big Ride. Since then the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia has kept the conversation going featuring notable Canadian mental health advocates including Margaret Trudeau, Lieutenant-General the Honourable Roméo Dallaire, Michael Landsberg and Steven Page.