Starr Cunningham and Morgan Manzer presenting Cecilia McRae and Gladys MacDougall with a Vision Award at the AGM (Photo: Stoo Metz).

July 3, 2025

The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia released its 2024-2025 Community Report at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, highlighting a year of making connections to improve the mental wellness of Nova Scotians.

Funding community mental health

In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, $4 million was awarded through the Foundation’s five grant programs. The generous support of individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, community groups, and continued partnership with the Nova Scotia Office of Addictions and Mental Health contributed to this record-breaking achievement.

The Foundation awarded a total of 375 grants to mental health and addictions organizations, community groups, and healthcare providers in the province, demonstrating the continued need for investment in community-based mental health initiatives.

The Foundation’s flagship Community Grant program provides funding for education, support, and service projects that address the unique needs of the communities they serve. The impact of our grants ranges from learning to recognize the signs of a mental health injury, to connecting people with peer support, counselling or circles of caring, to system-enhancing skills development and community access.

“This record-breaking investment demonstrates our commitment to fostering a collective, forward-thinking community of hope,” says Starr Cunningham, the Foundation’s President and CEO. "Our donors strengthen the hope, our grantees bring it to life, and we tie everyone together. It’s an intentional alliance designed to build a province where more people feel seen, heard, supported and connected.”

Welcoming new Board Trustees

New Board leadership and Trustees were also appointed at the AGM.

New Trustees include:

Caroline Blair-Smith, Vice President Human Resources – Nova Scotia Power
Christy Breed Barkhouse, Owner/ Operator – Down East Hospitality Inc/ Tim Hortons

“During my first year as Chair, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the incredible impact of our donors, partners, staff, and grantees,” says Morgan Manzer, returning Board of Trustees Chair. “Our Board is united by a shared belief: that mental wellness is shaped in community, and that every act of giving is an investment in a stronger, healthier Nova Scotia.”

Vision Awards

The Vision Awards celebrate individuals and organizations who share the Foundation’s vision of mental wellness for all Nova Scotians. Every year at the AGM, the Foundation honours recipients who’ve made a significant contribution to changing the way people think about mental wellness, mental illness, and addictions.

2024-2025 Vision Award Winners include:

Partners in Our Vision – St. John Ambulance NS/PEI

A unique partnership with our friends at St. John Ambulance NS/PEI has been improving the mental health knowledge of Nova Scotians since 2016. The St. John Ambulance Mental Health Literacy Grant provides successful applicants with free access to Mental Health and Wellness training. Hundreds of Nova Scotians now have an enhanced understanding of how to respond to a mental health crisis thanks to this successful collaboration.

Outstanding Volunteer – Alan Archibald

Alan Archibald has been volunteering on our Finance & Audit Committee for virtually as long as anyone can remember! Throughout his almost two decades of attending meetings, approving financials, and reviewing budgets, his keen eye and inquisitive manner have never wavered. We thank Alan for always keeping us on our toes and providing us with a reason to smile while crunching the numbers. You’re one in a million, Al.

Outstanding Achievement – The Bright Smiles Project

Bright Smiles is a one-of-a-kind project that provides dental services for low-income adults living with mental illness. The project, spearheaded by mental health advocate Cecilia McRae, and supported by volunteers Clarence Deyoung and Gladys MacDougall, launched in 2017 through the Pictou County Mental Illness Family Support Association. Since then, it has improved the smiles and changed the lives of hundreds of Nova Scotians. This client testimonial says it all:

“Two things I was not expecting – a sore face and back from smiling so much and standing up taller!”