The Power of Peer Support
Living with a mental illness can make you feel isolated. Peer support is emotional and practical support between two people who share a common experience, such as a mental health challenge or illness. CMHA NS is a leader in peer support in the province.
Peer Support Canada and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) joined together in early 2018 in an effort to expand peer support in this country. Both CMHA and Peer Support Canada value and believe in the power of community-based mental health services that include increased access to peer support where people live, work and play. Learn more about Peer Support.
Our peer support groups are held in safe and respectful spaces, are confidential and accessible. CMHA NS offers two ongoing two core peer support groups, our Men’s Peer Support Group and Circle of Friends. Throughout the year we offer peer support groups to targeted populations and partner with a range of community groups throughout the province to deliver these groups.
Past Peer Support Groups have included:
- Fill Yer Boots
- Parents Supporting Parents
- Membertou First Nation Youth Peer Support Group
- The Other Guys
- The Women’s Empowerment Squad
Our Peer Support Group Partners
- Community Cares Youth Outreach The Other Guys, Women’s Empowerment Squad]
- Membertou First Nation [Membertou First Nation Youth Peer Support Group 2022]
- The Membertou Men’s Society
- Farm Safety Nova Scotia [Fill Yer Boots]
About CMHA NS Peer Support Groups:
- All peer support groups are held in a safe and respectful space
- All discussions are confidential and private
- There is no fee to attend
- People can attend any meeting
Interested in collaborating with CMHA NS to offer a peer support group?
Contact Keith Anderson | Peer Support and Community Suicide Prevention [CAST] – Provincial Lead
Email: keith.anderson@novascotia.cmha.ca
Ongoing Peer Support Programs
Currently CMHA NS Division runs two regular peer support groups. These groups are facilitated by CMHA NS employees and volunteers and take place in a virtual setting or in-person (based on COVID Safety protocol.)
Men’s Peer Support Group 
Unrealistic expectations based on gender and a lack of suitable mental health options can prevent those who identify as men from honouring their mental health and reaching out for support when they need it. The Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division is here to help.
Our virtual Men’s Peer Support group provides a safe, confidential space for those who identify as male to connect without judgement. Sessions are weekly. Newcomers are welcome!
Topics of discussion can include, but are not limited to:
- Relationships
- Family challenges
- Employment challenges
- Housing challenges
- Food and music
Details: This program combines emotional support as well as practical information.
- Schedule: Weekly | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. AST
- Where: This is a virtual program held over Zoom.
- Eligibility: This program is open to adults 19 years and older who identify as male.
- Fee: No fee.
- Facilitators: The program is led by experienced CMHA NS peer support facilitators, Keith Anderson and Glenn Rodgers.
This group is:
- Confidential
- COVID Safe
- Non-Judgemental
- Non-clinical
What does non-clinical mean? Non-clinical services are therapeutic, but relate to providing resource information, education, screening, and support until a professional health care provider can make appropriate referrals (if necessary) to primary care or formalized health care services.
REGISTER for the Men’s Peer Support Group
Circle of Friends 
About:
DID YOU KNOW connection is an important part of supporting our overall wellness. We are social beings and our well-being depends strongly on our connections with others.
Connections are important for overall mood enhancement and can help us through ‘blue’ periods as well as during times of isolation.
If you’d like to improve your communication skills and improve your ability to connect or just broaden your circle, join Circle of Friends!
This guided peer support group will help you learn about yourself, what you say, the way you act, and how your actions can affect relationships with others. Focusing on these aspects, helps us gain confidence in our relationships and we will be more likely to achieve our friendship goals.
CMHA Circle of Friends offers a safe, confidential place for peers to connect and share their journeys as they offer peer support to one-another. Sessions are weekly starting September 7, 2022. Newcomers are welcome!
Details: This program combines emotional support as well as practical information.
- Schedule: Weekly | Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. AST
- Where: This is a virtual program held over Zoom.
- Eligibility: This workshop is for everyone.
- Fee: No fee.
- Facilitators: The program is led by experienced CMHA NS peer support facilitators Keith Anderson and Dawn Scott.
This group is :
- Confidential
- COVID Safe
- Non-Judgemental
- Non-clinical
What does non-clinical mean? Non-clinical services are therapeutic, but relate to providing resource information, education, screening, and support until a professional health care provider can make appropriate referrals (if necessary) to primary care or formalized health care services.
REGISTER for Circle of Friends
Women’s Empowerment Squad
About:
Join a dynamic and engaging group of women seeking to gain perspective and insight into the unique, shared experiences of of those who identify as women. PLEASE NOTE: This group meets in person [following COVID safe protocol]
About:
We are in a world where there is a lot of pressure on women.
Many feel more disconnected than ever.
Connections are a key component of wellness. It is through a foundation of strong connections that we can gain the confidence and skills we need to overcome barriers and reach our goals.
The Women’s Empowerment Squad is a safe, confidential place for who identify as female to connect, offer support to one another and gain confidence.
This is more than a support group; it’s an empowerment squad.
Topics of discussion are flexible and based on the needs of the group but may include:
- Self-esteem
- Friendship
- Family dynamics
- Caregiving
- Parenting
- Body Image
- Emotions
Details: This group meets at 55 King St., Sydney Mines, NS. on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for 8 weeks beginning September 27, 2022.
Eligibility: This program is open to those who identify as female over the age of 18.
Fee: No fee.
This group is:
- Confidential
- COVID Safe
- Non-Judgmental
- Non-Clinical
Questions? contact Samantha Bonnar at sambbccyo@gmail.com
Becoming a Peer Support Group Facilitator
CMHA NS Division periodically reaches out to communities seeking individuals with lived experience to help us offer a peer support group to a targeted population. These relationships are key to ensuring that CMHA is meeting the mental health needs of all Nova Scotians. Facilitators are responsible for guiding a group with a focus on ensuring groups are a respectful and safe space to discuss mental health challenges.
What does a peer support group facilitator do?
Peer support group facilitators have lived through similar experience to those who attend the group, and is trained to support members of the group. Facilitators are responsible for guiding groups with a focus on ensuring groups are a respectful and safe space to discuss mental health challenges.
What we look for:
- Community facilitator experience
- Comfortable with Public Speaking
- Lived experience with mental health
- Engaging and encouraging personality
- Credibility within the community
- Ability to lead
- Leadership experience
- Organizational skills
- Willingness to commit to the agreed upon schedule
What you gain from this role:
Being a peer support group facilitator with CMHA NS is a big commitment but it’s also a deeply rewarding one. Facilitators often build on their leadership and facilitation skills while building strong connections to their communities. CMHA provides training, along with an honorarium.
Visit the News section of our website to view any current listings for a peer support group facilitator.
Questions?
Contact Keith Anderson at keith.anderson@novascotia.cmha.ca