Hope for Mental Health

01/03/2026

45 to go! Thank you all so much for helping us grow and get the word out about who we are and what we do. We missed hitting our goal of 2000 followers by the end of December, but that’s not going to stop us. Let’s keep it going!
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We have set a goal to be at 2000 followers by the end of the year and we need your help. We are confident that with your help we can get there! 🙂 Please take a minute to share our page or invite friends and family you feel could benefit from our programs.

12/29/2025

The holidays—Christmas, New Year’s, and the weeks around them—can be especially hard for people supporting a loved one with mental illness and/or addictions. What can feel like a season of joy for others often brings heightened stress, unmet expectations, fatigue, social pressure, and emotional strain. Watching someone you care about struggle with symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance use, or other challenges can leave you feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn, even as supports around you seem focused on celebrations.

If you’re in Nova Scotia, there are supports available online and by phone that can help both those living with mental health or addiction challenges and the people who care for them:

Nova Scotia’s Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line is available 24/7 for people in crisis and for loved ones who are worried about someone’s safety or wellbeing — call 1-888-429-8167 anytime.

Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service helps connect you with ongoing supports, treatment options, and programs — call 1-855-922-1122 or explore services online through Nova Scotia Health.

The Peer Support Phone Service offers non-crisis emotional support from people with lived experience (not just clinicians), which can be really comforting when you feel alone in what you’re going through — call 1-800-307-1686.

Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
Free single-session counselling through Access Wellness can provide a safe space to talk about stress, grief, or overwhelm — appointments can be booked by phone or online.

Online and digital tools such as e-mental health programs, peer-to-peer communities, and self-guided support modules are also available through the Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions website.

For family and friends, organizations like the Hope for Mental Health Society offer online support groups and educational programs specifically for those supporting someone with mental illness and addiction — spaces to share experiences and learn coping strategies.
hope4mentalhealth.ca

Reaching out for help—whether it’s crisis support, peer connection, counselling, or a group of people who understand—is a strong and important step. You deserve support too, especially during times that can feel heavy or lonely

Hope For Mental Health formerly The Schizophrenia Society Nova Scotia, (SSNS) was established in 1982 to support individuals living with Schizophrenia and their families/friends.

12/25/2025

12/23/2025

“While the holiday season fills some with joy and excitement, for some, it’s a time that challenges mental and emotional well-being. Whether due to separation from loved ones, personal grief, the pressures of gift-giving, economic hardship, challenging interactions with family members, or shorter days, this time of year can bring unique behavioral health challenges.

If you experience added stress during the holidays, there are strategies to help:” Canadian Mental Health Association - Nova Scotia -

While the holiday season fills some with joy and excitement, for some, it’s a time that challenges mental and emotional well-being. Whether due to separation from loved ones, personal grief,...

12/18/2025

Hope for Mental Health will be closed for the holidays from December 19, 2025, and will reopen on January 5, 2026.

As we move into the holiday season, we want to acknowledge that this time of year can bring a mix of emotions. While many people experience joy and connection, others may find the holidays overwhelming, lonely, or especially difficult. For individuals and families living with mental illness or addiction, this season can add extra layers of stress, pressure, or vulnerability.

Even though our doors will be closed during this period, you are not alone. Support is still available. If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs immediate help, please contact 911 or reach out to your local mental health crisis line. There are caring professionals ready to listen and provide assistance whenever you need it.

We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year and continuing to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and hope.

Support for addictions and mental health is available across the province. You never have to struggle alone. If you need help finding supports near you, call 211, visit YourHealthNS.ca or download the YourHealthNS app.

Access Wellness https://accesswellness.lifeworks.com/nova-scotia-en

Free one-hour counselling sessions with mental health professionals are offered to adults and families through the Access Wellness service. Your session can be delivered in-person, online, or by phone at 1‑833‑691‑2282.

Provincial Intake Service https://mha.nshealth.ca/en

If you need support with a mental health or addiction concern, Nova Scotia’s Mental Health and Addictions Intake team is here to help at 1-855-922-1122.

Crisis Supports https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/services/provincial-mental-health-and-addictions-crisis-line

If you are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis or concerned about someone else, call the Provincial Crisis Line toll free at 1-888-429-8167 to speak to a trained clinician or visit your nearest emergency department.

Su***de Prevention Line https://988.ca/

If you or someone you love is thinking about su***de, call or text 9-8-8 for judgement-free support.

12/16/2025

This time of year can be joyful — but it can also be hard.

We’re thinking of everyone carrying grief, anxiety, loneliness, or stress during the holidays.
This holiday season, let’s look out for one another.

A thoughtful message , a check-in, or a simple “How are you?” can make a difference.

If you are in need of support, there are resources available:

❄️ 9-8-8 Su***de Crisis Helpline | Available 24/7
If you are thinking about su***de, or you’re worried about someone else, there is help and there is hope. Call or text 9-8-8 toll free, any time — lines are open 24/7/365. To learn more about 9-8-8 visit their website.

❄️ Hope for Wellness | 1-855-242-3310
Resource for Indigenous people. Available 24/7 in English, French, and upon request in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.

❄️ Kids Help Phone | Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 68686
Their service is completely confidential. You do not have to give them your name.

❄️ Black Youth Helpline | 1-833-294-8650
The BYH is a Canada-wide helpline that provides professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.

❄️ Men’s, Women’s or All Genders Helpline | 2-1-1
Call 211 and ask for one of these lines. Each caller is given a 30-minute slot.

❄️ NS Peer Support Phone Service | 1-800-307-1686
This is a toll-free, non-crisis, available to all Nova Scotians 18 years of age or older.

❄️ Good2Talk | Call 1-833-292-3698 or Text GOOD2TALKNS to 686868.
Support services available to post-secondary students in Nova Scotia.

❄️ Togetherall | Togetherall.com
Togetherall is a digital mental health support service which is available online, 24/7, and is completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly.

12/16/2025

Right now, someone is struggling in silence — a parent, a spouse, a caregiver. Maybe someone you know… Maybe it’s you.

Loneliness is often one of the hardest parts of mental illness. But it doesn’t have to be part of the story.

Your donation to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia helps fund community programs that support mental health for individuals and the families who care for them.

Meet the Corbett family. With access to education and peer support at HOPE for Mental Health, they found guidance, understanding, and connection during a challenging time.

“We now feel better equipped to deal with the challenges of caring for our son.”

— The Corbett Family

Support this work by giving today or joining Team Hope as a monthly donor.

www.mentalhealthns.ca/support

[Image Description: A family stands together indoors in front of large windows with a snowy forest outside. They are dressed formally and smiling. A blue banner at the bottom features a quote about feeling better equipped to care for their son, attributed to the Corbett family.]

Hope for Mental Health

12/12/2025

Canadian winters can have a real impact on mental well‑being. Reduced sunlight and increased isolation can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the winter blues, and heightened feelings of anxiety or depression. Understanding these effects is an important step toward protecting your mental health during the colder months.

Helpful strategies include:

1. Light Therapy: Lamps that mimic natural sunlight can support mood and help regulate sleep cycles, especially for those experiencing SAD.

2. Physical Activity: Staying active—whether through skiing, snowshoeing, or simply walking outdoors—can boost energy and improve overall well‑being.

3. Social Connection: Regular meetups with friends, community groups, or social activities can help reduce feelings of isolation. 4.

4. Healthy Habits: Eating well, getting enough rest, and speaking with a healthcare professional about vitamin D if needed can all support mental wellness.

With this in mind, we want to highlight our Anchored Families One on one Peer Support program designed to help you stay connected, share your experiences in a supportive environment, and access tools that can guide you through the winter season.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this free service please use the QR code below to register or you can register on our website: Hope4mentalhealth.ca.

12/05/2025

Hello and happy Friday,

We received the following research opportunity from Allison Hancock at St. Francis Xavier University and wanted to share with you:

My name is Allison Hancock, and I am the Research Manager with the Research for Equitable Access to Mental Healthcare (REACH) Lab at StFX University. Under the leadership of Dr. Jill Murphy, Research Chair in Mental Health and Addictions, we’re working on a qualitative study to better understand what’s working—and where gaps exist—for rural Nova Scotians trying to access mental healthcare.

A key piece of making sure research and any future changes accurately reflect community needs is hearing directly from the people who have experienced the system themselves or supported someone who has. With this in mind, we are currently recruiting members for a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) to help guide this work. REACH Lab

12/04/2025

UPDATE 3 - 48 more! Please share and invite friends to like/follow our page. We are looking to hit 2000 followers by the end of the year. 🙂🙏🏼

UPDATE 2 - 50 to go!! 😍

UPDATE: 51 more to go 🎉

Almost there!! 52 more new followers needed to hit our goal of 2000 by the end of December! Share 🙂share 🙂share 🙂

With your help we are reaching more and more people who deal with mental illness in their families. We are helping to break the stigmas and shame that can accompany mental illness and addiction. You are not alone.

We have set a goal to be at 2000 followers by the end of the year and we need your help. We are confident that with your help we can get there! 🙂 Please take a minute to share our page or invite friends and family you feel could benefit from our programs.