WELCOME From New Executive Director Karn Nichols

Welcome to the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division (CMHA NS), the oldest community based mental health and addictions charitable organization in the province.

Every day, we are proud to collaborate with communities across the province to meet the mental health and wellness needs of all Nova Scotians.

CMHA NS provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental ill health, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Nova Scotians to flourish and thrive.

One of the unintended consequences of this pandemic is that it has allowed us to lean into difficult discussions. To meet each other where we are. To normalize conversations around our collective mental health. To support each other more compassionately and without fear of stigma.

And while I know there is a long way to go, I believe that it is this moment in history that highlights a significant 'crack' in our conversations. The crack that will allow CMHA NS staff to amplify the good work that they do every single day.

Through our program, we improve community integration, build resilience, renew hope, and create pathways to recovery. It is this work that energizes and drives our passionate and dedicated team to provide meaningful community-based resources and education. Programming that has been designed to meet our communities exactly where they are.

As a natural connector, collaborator and team builder, I believe that it is our solid partnerships with the people throughout Nova Scotia that will serve as the foundation to our important work going forward. There has never been a better time for mental health conversations, and it is a privilege to be a part of this journey.

The time is now. Our communities are ripe with both need and opportunity. Together, it's time to elevate and amplify the good work we are all doing to create the conditions to achieve our mission of 'mentally healthy people in a healthy society.'

Stay Strong. Love Community. Be People.

Karn Nichols, Executive Director CMHA NS

The Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division acknowledges that we are in Mi’kima’ki , the ancestral and territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet people first signed with the British in 1725. The treaties didn’t deal with the surrender of the land. It established the rules for an ongoing relationship between nations.

We are also in HRM which was settled and built by people of African ancestry in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. These people were formative in the building of our communities in meaningful ways and have contributed to the development of Nova Scotia as we know it today. We must not forget that we are all treaty people.

We have responsibilities to each other and this land.

Stay strong. Love community. Be people.