October 7, 2026
Every year at Let’s Keep Talking, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia recognizes inspiring mental health champions who are creating meaningful change in communities across the province. Through advocacy, lived experience, leadership, and connection, Let’s Keep Talking Award recipients are helping to change the conversation around mental health, strengthen supports, and create more compassionate communities where people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Meet the 2026 Award Recipients
KEONTÉ BEALS (he/him)
Keonté Beals is a legacy leadership speaker, author, entrepreneur, and award-winning artist from North Preston—the largest historic Black community in Canada. Through his company, KBeals Entertainment Inc., he builds cultures of mentorship, belonging, and leadership that create lasting impact.
Through keynotes such as Passing the Torch: The Art of Legacy Leadership and initiatives like The I Am Experience, Keonté has inspired more than 50,000 students, educators, and leaders across North America. He is co-author of the bestselling children’s book, I Am Perfectly Me, which encourages readers to embrace their identity and recognize their inherent worth. His connection to mental health is deeply rooted in his personal journey and the community members who helped to shape him.
ANNE MARIE COOLEN (she/her)
In 2009, Anne Marie’s daughter faced a severe eating disorder. Navigating the fear and isolation that came with seeking treatment changed her forever, inspiring a promise that no other parent in Nova Scotia should walk through that darkness alone. Over the past decade, Anne Marie has dedicated herself to supporting families.
She has served on the Board of Eating Disorders Nova Scotia, provided parent peer support, lobbied politicians for more services, contributed to national CIHR research studies, and advised provincial health teams on expanding low-barrier, early-intervention self-help tools. Anne Marie has also authored a resource on supporting teens living with anorexia that is now used nationally. Her focus remains on sharing empathy, dignity, and providing real hope.
LOUANN LINK (she/her)
Louann Link is a community leader and suicide prevention advocate from Clark’s Harbour. Louann and her husband, David, founded the “Let Your Light Shine Jevon Link Society” in memory of their son, Jevon, who died by suicide in 2021. Through her personal experience, Louann has become a trusted source of support and connection in her community.
She is a safeTALK trainer, has supported community members to become ASIST trainers, and organizes an annual World Suicide Prevention Day walk in Barrington. She also creates safe spaces for people experiencing grief, fundraises, coordinates a weekly addiction support group, and helps community members navigate the system. Louann’s compassion, openness and commitment have made her a trusted person in her community.
MARG MURRAY (she/her)
Marg Murray recently retired from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Halifax-Dartmouth Branch after 37 years as Co-Executive Director and Building Bridges Manager. Although Marg volunteered for a help line during university, her own experience with anxiety and growing up with a sibling who lived with mental illness instilled a “healthy cynicism” in her. However, her career at CMHA ended up being one of the most profound experiences of her life.
Marg advocates for universal mental health and substance use care, the need to end stigma, and the value of connection. By walking alongside resilient individuals who live with mental illness, she has reaffirmed her belief that we must treat each other with dignity, kindness, and respect.
EVAN TREFFLER (he/him)
Evan Treffler is a mental health advocate and Medical Sciences student at Dalhousie University who advances awareness, earlier help-seeking and access to support. He serves as Dalhousie’s first Wellness Champion across all Halifax campuses, Chair and Chapter Lead of Jack.org Dalhousie, and a Jack Talks Speaker.
Reaching hundreds in-person and tens of thousands online each month, Evan works across community, provincial and national settings through research, harm reduction, and public education. Last December, he won a Human Rights Award for mental health advocacy from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. Evan reduces stigma while bringing student and community perspectives into national action, grounded in the belief that accessible support and meaningful connection help people and communities thrive.
THANK YOU to our presenting sponsor, Bell Let’s Talk; Gold Sponsor, Medavie Foundation; and our Award Sponsors, Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry, IWK Health, Nova Scotia Power and Scotiabank, for continuing to support an evening that celebrates people making a difference for mental health across Nova Scotia.
SPECIAL THANKS to Stoo Metz Photography, St. John Ambulance, and Paul Hollingsworth for their ongoing support of this event.
The conversations and connections celebrated at Let’s Keep Talking continue long after the event.
Your support helps make community-based mental health and addictions projects possible across Nova Scotia.