agm report 2013-2014 - nova scotia division...working towards educating nova scotians today for a...

201320132013---2014 Annual Report 2014 Annual Report 2014 Annual Report Educating Nova Scotians Today for a Safer Tomorrow

Table of Contents

Board Chair & Executive Director Message ....................................................................................... Page 2

AGM Presenters, CMHA NS Division Staff ....................................................................................... Page 4

About CMHA NS Division .................................................................................................................. Page 5

CMHA NS Division Projects & Initiatives ......................................................................................... Page 6

Communities Addressing Suicide Together ....................................................................................... Page 6

Socially and Emotionally Aware Kids ................................................................................................ Page 8

Training & Education ......................................................................................................................... Page 10

Gambling Awareness & Peer Support ................................................................................................ Page 11

CMHA NS Division Board of Directors ............................................................................................. Page 12

CMHA NS Division Staff & Volunteers ............................................................................................. Page 13

CMHA NS Division Activity ............................................................................................................... Page 14

CMHA NS Branches ............................................................................................................................. Page 15

CMHA NS Branch Activity .................................................................................................................. Page 16

Statement of Financial Position ........................................................................................................... Page 18

Statement of Revenue & Expenditures ............................................................................................... Page 19

Supporter, Partner & Network Thank You ........................................................................................ Page 20

Educating Nova Scotians Today for a Safer Tomorrow

2 Educating Nova Scotians Today for a Safer Tomorrow

Educating Nova Scotians today for a safer tomorrow is a meaningful and significant theme for the

Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia [CMHA NS] Division’s 2013-2014 Annual General

Meeting. The focus of mental health education and awareness has been at the forefront of CMHA NS

Division activities this past year, with CMHA NS Division defining itself as one of the ‘go to’

organizations for mental health education in the province.

It has been an exhilarating year for CMHA NS Division, with the development of new partnerships,

opportunities for networking across sectors and continued support from the community. Dedicating our

work to improving our current programs and initiatives, as well as exploring new pathways for growth

has been the focus of CMHA NS Division. Concentrating on a health promotion approach, we are

working towards educating Nova Scotians today for a safer tomorrow by assessing the needs of

communities and helping them build their own capacity to enable each individual to live healthier lives.

CMHA NS Division staff have been involved in various committees, attended conferences, participated

in evidence-based training sessions, etc. We welcome the opportunity to sit at tables with experts in the

mental health field at the community, regional and national levels in order to build our expertise and

exchange knowledge.

The Communities Addressing Suicide Together [CAST] initiative continues to build suicide-safer

communities across the province. This past year has seen tremendous growth in the CAST department,

with website development, new training opportunities, and preparation for our 2014 Provincial CAST

Conference slated for November 1st, 2014. CAST has been working to build new coalitions in

Guysborough-Antigonish and Southwest, and has been promoting new materials created such as the

Survivors of Suicide Postvention Resource Manual and Suicide Awareness Help Cards.

Continued on next page...

Educating Nova Scotians Today for a Safer Tomorrow

New to CMHA NS Division is the development of our Training & Education department. CMHA NS

Division staff have been busy providing information displays, Mental Health in the Workplace work-

shops, and Mental Health First Aid, safeTALK and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training [ASIST]

sessions to the larger community. The need for mental health education and awareness initiatives was

identified by CMHA NS Division through an increase in requests for information and resources from the

community. CMHA NS Division continues to provide tailored education opportunities to all areas of

Nova Scotia, with a growing focus on the youth and senior populations.

Continued work on the Socially Emotionally Aware Kids [SEAK] Scaling Up initiative has resulted in the

development of an Atlantic core working group made up of key decision makers across the Atlantic

Provinces. The CMHA NS Division SEAK Project has developed a comprehensive strategy to influence

policy to support social and emotional learning [SEL]) in Atlantic Canada. The diligent work and interest

of the Atlantic SEL Scaling Up Advisory Committee members to advance the reach of the CMHA NS

Division SEAK project will ideally culminate with the advancement of SEL on the agenda of the Council

of the Federation meeting of the Premiers in summer 2014.

In closing, we would like to thank our partners, volunteers, community members, Branches, funders,

Board of Directors, staff, and all those who have continued their support in the promotion of good

mental health. CMHA NS Division is enthusiastic regarding the future direction of the organization and

looks forward to continued community engagement in mental health education and awareness

initiatives.

Charles Bruce, Interim Board Chair, CMHA NS Division

*Please note, Gail Gardiner has recently moved on from her role as CMHA NS Division Executive Director. The CMHA NS Division Board of Directors and staff wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

CMHA NS Division Annual Report 2013-2014 3

AGM Presenters, CMHA NS Division Staff

Welcome & Introduction Carolyn Lawrence, Administrative Assistant - What does CMHA NS Division do? Resource Hub Advocacy Educate

Communities Addressing Suicide Together [CAST] Mike Price, CAST Director Katelyn Bessette, CAST Program Manager Leah Sutherland, CAST Coalitions Manager - Coalitions - CAST 2014 Provincial Conference - Upcoming events

Socially and Emotionally Aware Kids [SEAK] Pamela Magee, SEAK Project Manager Carlye Higgins, SEAK Project Coordinator Blaise Theriault, SEAK Communications Officer Carolyn Lawrence, SEAK Administrative Assistant - Project Progress Update - Sustainability Planning - Scaling Up Vision

Training & Education [TE] Sue Marchand, Education & Event Coordinator - Tailored Presentations - Mental Health First Aid - Gambling Awareness & Peer Support [GAPS] - Special Events


About CMHA NS Division

The Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia [CMHA NS] Division is the founding member

of one of the first nation-wide voluntary organizations in Canada. Established in 1908, CMHA

promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing

mental illness to achieve its vision. CMHA engages in advocacy, education, research, and program and

service delivery; we serve more than 100,000 Canadians each year through the combined efforts of

more than 10,000 volunteers and staff in over 135 Canadian communities.

To achieve our vision of ‘mentally healthy

people in a healthy society’, CMHA NS

Division’s mission is to promote the mental

health of all Nova Scotians, recognizing

cultural diversity. CMHA NS Division

believes in social justice, individual and

collective responsibility, access to

appropriate, adequate resources and

supports, self-determination, and

community integration of persons with

disabilities.

CMHA NS Division is always looking at

new and innovative ways to involve

community members. If you would like to

learn more about ways you can support

CMHA NS Division, please visit our

website: www.novascotia.cmha.ca


Communities Addressing Suicide Together

Communities Addressing Suicide Together [CAST] has continued to grow

both locally and nationally as an expert on evidence- based, effective

examples of community suicide prevention. The 2013 rebrand of CAST, combined with our refocus

on the importance of resiliency and community connections, have allowed us to become an influential

voice at various tables and within numerous organizations.

CAST launched our first website in November 2013 with a great deal of positive feedback:

www.communitysuicideprevention.ca. CAST’s social media presence also continues to develop, with

‘likes’ and ‘follows’ increasing on both Facebook and Twitter.

Our Coalitions continued to grow and develop in 2013-2014. A new Coalition was established in

Cumberland County that completed a community plan to address suicide. The beginnings of a Halifax

Regional Municipality and Yarmouth Coalition began in the fall of 2013, with conversation still

ongoing with Port Hawkesbury and Antigonish. Fall also included the establishment of a Coalition

Navigators Network for networking and strategizing opportunities among Coalition leaders.

A great deal of work has gone into streamlining the Coalition development process with the release of

an evidence-based review of the Coalition model titled Why the Coalition Model Works. This

document has been since used by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to develop the

#308Conversations campaign.

CAST consulted with a number of groups in 2013-2014 seeking guidance on safety and safe messaging

for events and programming. This includes the National Kids Help Phone, Annapolis Valley Health

Authority, local media and CMHA National.

In conjunction with the British Columbia Crisis Centre, Choices 2: Reaching Out (youth suicide


Communities Addressing Suicide Together


alertness training) has been widely presented. With an agreement from the school board, Reaching

Out is now offered to all grade 10 students in Pictou County. Negotiations are underway with

Annapolis and Cumberland school boards to enact the same strategy. 2013-2014 has also been a year

of training growth, with more ASIST, safeTALK and Reaching Out trainings provided than in 2012.

World Suicide Prevention Day [WSPD] was a great

success in 2013, with hundreds of community

members attending events across the province,

including the Halifax WSPD Walk. Walks in honor of

WSPD were also facilitated by CAST Coalitions in

Colchester, Pictou and Cumberland. CAST’s Annual

International Survivors of Suicide Day was also

well-attended, with a broad range of participants from diverse backgrounds.

CAST has also been invited to several tables as an expert on community suicide prevention, including

CAST co-leading a working group with CMHA National to coordinate suicide prevention activities

for CMHA’s across the country. CAST is also heavily involved in the Canadian Distress Line Network;

the CAST Director now co-chairs the Single Number Access Protocol [SNAP], with the goal of

developing a single number for distress and suicide-related calls country-wide, while also continuing

his work as the Vice President of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention [CASP].

CAST and the Nova Scotia Strategic Framework to Address Suicide Steering Committee continues to

develop a revitalized mandate for the CAST initiative. The Community Suicide Prevention and

Resiliency Research Project, launched in the fall of 2013, will serve as a guidepost to plan next steps

for the initiative.

Participants walk down Spring Garden Road at the Halifax World Suicide Prevention Day Walk on September 10th, 2013

Socially and Emotionally Aware Kids

The Socially and Emotionally Aware Kids [SEAK] Project continues to

support its provincial partners’ implementation of Social and Emotional Learning [SEL] in the schools

(n=15) and work on Phase III Scaling up in Atlantic Canada.

A comprehensive literature review on theories

and principles of Scaling Up was conducted in

summer 2013. The literature informed the

development of a scaling up model and was

used in discussions during the September

meeting on sustainability and Scaling Up, and

the February Think Tank meeting. The literature also informed a briefing note which resulted in

subsequent meetings and presentations on SEL to the Nova Scotia Departments of Education and

Health in September 2013 and the Newfoundland Ministers of Education and Health in October 2013.

Throughout the year the literature was used to direct and inform planning conducted by the Atlantic

Advisory Committee and Core Working Group on SEL Scaling Up.

The Core Working Group has been meeting regularly since February 2013 on the development of the

Scaling Up Vision document. The Core Working Group is made up of representatives from New

Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and

Newfoundland Departments of Education, as well as

members of the SEAK team.

The SEAK team actively presented on the initiative

Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies [PATHS] at

multiple events (n=7) throughout the year, including: the


Grade Primary students at Northwest Field Elementary do the Turtle pose to work through their problems in the school hallway.

The SEAK team presented on the PATHS initiative at the 26th Atlantic Crime Prevention Conference in PEI in 2013.

Socially and Emotionally Aware Kids

26th Atlantic Crime Prevention Conference in Prince Edward Island. The SEAK researchers presented

on the SEAK Project and PATHS at the European Network of Social and Emotional Competence

[ENSEC] and PATHS conferences in Croatia in July 2013.

A new table top display was created in August 2013 that has

proven to be a great promotional tool. A variety of

promotional activities (n=10) took place over the course of the

year such as news articles (Truro Daily News “New Partner-

ship Encourages Emotional Education in Schools”), website and

blog articles, and SEL awareness pieces on social media platforms.

The SEAK team coordinated regular teleconference meetings

with their school site partners (NS, MB, and AB n=16 ) and site

visits took place in the South Shore and the Strait Regional School

Boards in Nova Scotia. During one of the visits the PATHS

Curriculum video was developed showcasing a PATHS Primary

class. The video was filmed at West Northfield Elementary

School in the South Shore of Nova Scotia and was successfully launched on the SEAK website in 2013.

SEAK continues to receive funding from the Department of Economic and Rural Development and

Tourism with the Student Career Skills Development Program which funds Mount Saint Vincent

University Public Relations students throughout the year. The Public Relations students maintain the

role of Communications Officer, continually updating the project’s website and social media

platforms, as well as finding new and creative ways to market the project to a broad range of

stakeholders and audiences.

SEAK table top display developed in 2013.

South Shore PATHS lesson.


Training & Education

The need for mental health education has seen an increase in the larger Nova

Scotia community, with many individuals, groups and organizations requesting

more training and education. In response to this gap within our community,

CMHA NS Division’s Training & Education department was established.

CMHA NS Division offers a suite of mental health training and education opportunities for all age

groups and sizes. CMHA NS Division offers three basic educational presentations : 1) Mental Health

for All; 2) Youth Mental Health and; 3) Mental Health in the Workplace. Each presentation is an hour

in length, and can be tailored to the specifics needs of the audience. Currently, Mental Health in the

Workplace presentations have taken centre stage with a large network of organizations and

businesses identifying mental health as an important aspect of overall workplace health.

Individuals and organizations looking for more extensive training regarding mental health have found

Mental Health First Aid training to be an invaluable resource in their personal and professional lives.

Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or

experiencing a mental health crisis. Please visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca for more information.

February 2014 has seen the commencement of CMHA NS Division’s A Community Mental Health

Education Series. With funding support from the Dartmouth Community Health Board, CMHA NS

Division was able to provide Mental Health First Aid and safeTALK to the Dartmouth community at

no cost. In working with Community Health Boards across the province, CMHA NS Division hopes

to continue A Community Mental Health Education Series into the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

For more information on the education and training opportunities CMHA NS Division offers,

tailoring a presentation to fit your organization's needs, and upcoming sessions, please visit our

website: www.novascotia.cmha.ca


Gambling Awareness & Peer Support


In September 2013 CMHA NS Division, with funding

support from Gambling Awareness Nova Scotia, began its

Gambling Awareness & Peer Support [GAPS] project. The

goals of the three-year education/peer support-based project are to:

Educate and support individuals with lived mental health experience who are at risk for gambling-

related harm and providing individuals with resources and tools to enhance their overall mental

health.

Build community capacity to support participants, as well as bridge gaps between services.

Increase CMHA NS Division capacity to be able to properly deliver similar services and build upon

previous work.

In January 2014 GAPS began its 12-month education/peer support pilot program with individuals

living within Halifax Regional Municipality. GAPS sessions are held once a month for one hour and

have covered such topics as gambling addiction, mental health, peer support, financial management,

therapeutic recreation, etc.

Throughout the length of the program, we have gathered valuable information that will contribute to

the development of a peer support network, a community helping tree, a resource & supports binder

and a curriculum for future facilitators. Participant feedback has been extremely positive and as the

program comes to a close as of December 2014, CMHA NS Division is exploring options for program

funding and sustainability.

For more information regarding the GAPS project, please visit our website:

www.novascotia.cmha.ca

CMHA NS Division Board of Directors

Melissa Ruginski .................................................................................................................................. Past Board Chair

Charles Bruce ............................................................................................................. Interim Board Chair & Treasurer

Aileen McGinty .................................................................................................................................... Member at Large

Colleen Fennell ..................................................................................................................................... Member at Large

Dr. Jaqueline Kinley ............................................................................................................................. Member at Large

Ruth Fraser ........................................................................................................................................... Member at Large

Shelia Wildeman .................................................................................................................................. Member at Large

Hayden Laltoo ................................................................................................................ CMHA Branch Representative

Marilyn Hebb ................................................................................................................. CMHA Branch Representative


CMHA NS Division Staff &Volunteers

Gail Gardiner ...................................................................................................................................... Executive Director

Keith Anderson .......................................................................................................................... SEAK Project Manager

Mickie Bowe-Blagden ........................................................................................................... SEAK Project Coordinator

Melanie Brister ................................................................................................. SEAK Multimedia Project Coordinator

Anastasia Knyazeva .......................................................................................... SEAK Communications Officer (04/13)

Rebecca Vorstermans ...................................................................................... SEAK Communications Officer (09/14)

Adam Murphy .................................................................................................. SEAK Communications Officer (01/14)

Mike Price ................................................................................................................................................. CAST Director

Katelyn Bessette ................................................................................................ CAST Program Coordinator (on leave)

Jessica MacMaster .............................................................................................................. CAST Program Coordinator

Dave Whalen ......................................................................................................................... CAST Coalitions Manager

Sue Marchand .............................................................................................................. Education & Event Coordinator

Carlye Higgins .................................................................................................................................... Program Assistant

Carolyn Lawrence ................................................................................................................... Administrative Assistant

Alan Miller ...................................................................................................................................................... Bookkeeper

Mike Morrissey ..................................................................................................................... GAPS Project Coordinator

Tanya Taylor White ...................................................................................................................................... Volunteer

Kelcey DeCoste............................................................................................................................................... Volunteer


CMHA NS Division Activity

Staff at the opening ceremony to proclaim Access Awareness Week at the Nova Scotia Legislature in June 2013. Gail Gardiner, Executive Director was presented with the Mel Hebb Community Action Award. Congratulations Gail!

Walmart Bedford Sackville Supercentre raises funds in support of CMHA NS Division programs and services. Walmart (Terry Miller) presents CMHA NS Division (Gail Gardiner & Sue Marchand) a cheque for $3,700!


Sue Marchand, Education & Event Coordinator, delivering a Mental Health in the Workplace presentation to ~100 Public Service Alliance of Canada employees in Antigonish in May 2013.

The 9th Annual Inspiring Lives Awards Luncheon co-hosted with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia in May 2013.

CMHA NS Division table top display at the Public Works and Government Services Canada Wellness Fair in October 2013.

Katelyn Bessette, CAST Program Coordinator (right) providing information and resources at the Halifax Pride Festival in July 2013.

The creation of the CMHA NS Division Youth Hypersexualization Public Service Announcement in October 2013.

Cumberland CAST Coalition members creating their Community Plan to Address Suicide in September 2013.

Susan Coldwell, Coordinator of the NSGEU Bully –Free Workplaces program presents at the CMHA NS Division AGM in September 2013.

CMHA NS Branches

Annapolis County Branch 13 Longley Mountain Rd.

RR 3 Granville Ferry, NS B0S 1K0

T: 1.902.665.2405

Cape Breton Branch 1482 George Street

Sydney, NS B1P 1P3

T: 1.902.567.7735

Colchester-East Hants Branch PO Box 1413, Truro, NS B2N 5V2

T: 1.902.895.4211

Halifax-Dartmouth Branch [Halifax] 2020 Gottingen St., Unit 100

Halifax, NS B3K 3A9

T: 1.902.455.5445

Halifax-Dartmouth Branch [Dartmouth] 12 Wentworth St., Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2S5

T: 1.902.463.2187

Kings County Branch 11 Opportunity Lane, Suite 3, Box 10

Coldbrook, NS B4R 0A5

T: 1.902.679.7564

Lunenburg-Queens Branch 450 LaHave St., Unit 17

PO Box 117, Bridgewater, NS B4V 3T2

T: 1.902.541.1153

Yarmouth-Digby-Shelburne Branch Yarmouth, NS B5A2E7


CMHA NS Branch Activity

Premier Stephen McNeil volunteers at the CMHA Annapolis County Branch Defeat Depression Event May 2013

Pre-walk warmup at the CMHA Annapolis County Branch Defeat Depression Event May 2013—an astounding $11,000 was raised!

CMHA Kings County Branch hosts a memorable 2013 Christmas Party with 80+ clients from their Employment, Shelter Me and Consumer-Participation programs.

CMHA Colchester-East Hants Branch & friends walk along the streets of Truro, NS in support of World Suicide Prevention Day September 10th, 2013.

The CMHA Colchester-East Hants Branch & The Medicine Shoppe (Truro Mall) fundraising partnership (’Tube and Token’) has contributed to their CMHA Youth Outreach Program, the Peer Support Program and their Community Outreach Program. From left to right, Chris Ripley (CMHA CEH Youth Outreach Rep.), Peter Bakes (Pharmacist/Owner), Susan Henderson (CMHA CEH Executive Director), & Geoff Alcock (CMHA CEH Peer Support Rep.).


CMHA Kings County Branch participates in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk in February 2014—They raised $950!!!

CMHA Kings County Branch hosts an Art Gala in March 2014 displaying pieces created during their Art & Wellness workshops. Lynn Swan art shown above.

CMHA NS Branch Activity


The CMHA Colchester-East Hants [CEH] Branch accepting a donation from the Willow Street location of The Medicine Shoppe that supported the CMHA CEH Branch Peer Support Program and the More Than Meds and Bloom Program. From left to right, Jennifer Gregory (CMHA CEH rep.), Lennie Walser (Pharmacist/Owner) and Geoff Alcock (CMHA CEH Peer Support Rep.).

The CMHA Colchester-East Hants [CEH] Branch hosted Clara’s Big Ride February 17th, 2014. Clara biked to the Colchester Legion Stadium where speeches and a Family Skate was held.

CMHA Colchester-East Hants [CEH] Branch hosted the 2014 Women & Wellness event on January 30th, 2014. Starr Dobson, Mental Health Foundation of NS President & CEO, was one of the four inspirational speakers to take part in the event.

Statement of Financial Position - March 31, 2014


*Year end March 31st, 2014, with comparative figures for 2013.

Statement of Revenue and Expenditures


*Year end March 31st, 2014, with comparative figures for 2013.

Thank You to our Supporters, Partners & Networks!


agm report 2013-2014 - nova scotia division...working towards educating nova scotians today for a...

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