Let’s Keep Talking presented by Bell Let’s Talk takes place virtually Friday, October 8th
June 15, 2021 (Dartmouth, NS) – The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is pleased to welcome Nova Scotia mental health advocate, Allison Garber as the keynote speaker for this year’s Let’s Keep Talking proudly presented by Bell Let's Talk on October 8, 2021. The business owner, communications professional, and mother of two is a vocal advocate for mental health having most recently appeared on CTV’s ‘In their Own Words: A Bell Let’s Talk Day Special.’
In October 2018, Allison recognized and accepted that she had a problem with drinking, realizing that in the previous few years her consumption had dramatically increased as a form of self-medication for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She found the daily cycle an exhausting battle filled with shame, guilt, anger and overwhelming sadness – ironically, making managing her mental illness dramatically worse. Somewhere in the midst of it all, she found the courage to get help, and now 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.
“Quite simply, sobriety is the reason I am still here today," confides Allison. "I will be forever grateful that I was able to dig in and fight my way out of that place, and I’m grateful for the people who showed up to make sure I didn’t have to do that alone. I know others aren’t as lucky or privileged to have access to the resources and supports I had available. I want to help change that.”
“Nova Scotians have reported an increase in turning to alcohol to cope with the mounting stress of the pandemic,” says Starr Cunningham, President & CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. “We hope people will join us on their lunch break to hear Ally's personal story, explore the widespread issue of substance use disorder, and take the time to reflect on their own relationship with alcohol.”
Presented by Bell Let’s Talk, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s 7th annual Let’s Keep Talking will be hosted once again by CTV Atlantic’s Paul Hollingsworth. The online event takes place during Mental Illness Awareness Week aiming to provide hope and eradicate the stigma surrounding mental disorders while encouraging an ongoing conversation about mental health. This year it will be held virtually over the lunch hour to extend the dialogue to all Nova Scotians, regardless of the location.
“Bell Let’s Talk is very pleased to continue our support of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s Let’s Keep Talking event and this year’s keynote speaker Allison Garber,” said Glen LeBlanc, Bell’s Vice Chair, Atlantic. “Let’s Keep Talking is an important event and I’m sure Allison’s brave journey will resonate with many and encourage those who need help to ask.”
Let’s Keep Talking will also recognize dedicated Nova Scotians in five different categories: Outstanding Youth, Outstanding Senior, Outstanding Healthcare Provider, Outstanding Individual, and Outstanding Caregiver. The award recipients will be honoured for inspiring others while facing their own challenges living with or supporting others with mental illness or addiction. The Foundation is now seeking nominations online at mentalhealthns.ca/lkt/nominations. The deadline for all nominations is September 3, 2021.
Let’s Keep Talking is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor, Bell Let’s Talk: Keynote Sponsor, The Carleton; and Award Sponsors, Dalhousie Department of Psychiatry, J & W Murphy Foundation, and Nova Scotia Power. Tickets are free and can be reserved at mentalhealthns.ca/lets-keep-talking.