Mental health heroes deserve recognition

Do you know someone who inspires you as they face their own challenges living with or supporting others who face mental illness or addiction? If so, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia wants to hear from you.

Applications are now open for the sixth Let’s Keep Talking Awards, presented by Bell Let’s Talk. This annual event inspires, entertains, and educates while encouraging people to talk openly about mental illness and addiction. Award recipients are selected through a province-wide nomination process and reviewed by a selection committee of Let’s Keep Talking Award recipients, health-care professionals, community stakeholders, and Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia representatives.

The awards are handed out at Let’s Keep Talking, which takes place online this year on Friday, Oct. 8 in recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week.

The Let’s Keep Talking Awards are presented in five categories. The first three are designated for Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addiction who inspire others with their perseverance, resilience, and passion for ending stigma.

Outstanding Individual

- recognizes a Nova Scotian who lives with mental illness and inspires others with their openness about their lived experience. This individual is committed to helping others who face mental health challenges and works to better the greater community through education and awareness. Outstanding Youth - presented to a Nova Scotian younger than 18 who is living with a mental disorder and is passionate about mental health. They share their personal story to improve the lives of others and go out of their way to support others in their school community who are struggling. They are actively involved in activities that work to eliminate stigma.

Outstanding Senior - presented to an individual living with mental illness or addiction, over the age of 60 who actively promotes good mental health in their community. That may be through sharing their personal experience to help others, supporting their peers, or actively working to educate others about psychiatric disorders, and mental health.

The final two awards are dedicated to recognizing health-care professionals and caregivers who support those living with psychiatric disorders.

Outstanding Healthcare Provider

- recognizes a health-care professional who works with clients living with mental illness or addiction. This dedicated frontline worker goes above and beyond to improve the lives of their clients. This person is a leader who encourages other health-care workers to build a strong network of support for those who need it while working tirelessly to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction.

Outstanding Caregiver

given to an individual who acts as a steadfast caregiver and support system for someone living with mental illness or addiction. This person is exceptionally dedicated to improving the lives of those living with mental illness and actively works to build a strong circle of support for those who need it.

The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia invites you to take a moment and consider those in your community who deserve recognition for the difference they’ve made in the mental health of all Nova Scotians. Then go online to nominate them for one of the awards before Sept. 3 at mentalhealthns.ca