The air in the conference room at Dalhousie University’s School of Social Work is charged with anticipation as researchers, community members, and health advocates gather on a crisp Halifax morning. Dr. Josephine Bernard, a clinical psychologist who has worked with marginalized communities for over a decade, takes a moment to straighten her notes before addressing the small crowd.
“We’ve known for generations that mental health resources aren’t reaching everyone equally,” she says, her voice carrying the weight of experience. “Today marks a beginning, not an end.“
I’m sitting at the back of the room as the Nova Scotia government announces $1.2 million in funding for mental health research specifically targeting equity-deserving communities—groups historically underserved by conventional mental health systems, including African Nova Scotians, Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.
The funding, distributed across six research projects, represents a significant shift in how the province approaches mental health. Rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions, these initiatives acknowledge that mental health needs vary across cultural, social, and historical contexts.
“When my grandmother needed help with depression, there was nowhere culturally safe for her to go,” explains Malik Johnson, a community health worker from North Preston. “She never got the care she needed because the system wasn’t built with her in mind.”
Johnson’s experience echoes throughout Nova Scotia’s diverse communities. According to data from the Mental Health Commission of Canada, marginalized populations face substantially higher rates of mental health challenges while encountering greater barriers to accessing appropriate care. For example, Indigenous peoples experience depression and anxiety at rates up to 1.5 times higher than the general population, yet are significantly less likely to access mental health services.
Among the funded initiatives is a project led by Dr. Amy Bombay at Dalhousie University, which will develop culturally responsive approaches to trauma care for Mi’kmaq communities. The research builds on growing evidence that conventional Western approaches to trauma treatment often fail to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and healing practices.
“Healing doesn’t happen in isolation from culture,” Dr. Bombay explains as we speak after the announcement. “When treatments acknowledge historical contexts and incorporate traditional knowledge, we see measurably better outcomes.”
Another project focuses on developing mental health resources specifically for African Nova Scotian youth. Led by Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, a respected community leader and researcher, the initiative will train peer support workers from within the community.
“Young people often talk to other young people first,” Dr. Thomas Bernard tells me. “We’re building capacity within the community itself, rather than imposing external solutions.”
Walking through the North End of Halifax the following day, I meet with Jamal Morris, a 22-year-old peer support worker who will be part of the program. We stop at a community garden where he volunteers, tending raised beds of kale and tomatoes.
“Growing up Black in Nova Scotia, you learn early on that the system wasn’t built for you,” Morris says, gently pruning a tomato plant. “Mental health isn’t just about what’s happening in your head—it’s about racism, poverty, housing, all of it. This funding means we can approach healing in a way that makes sense for our lived experience.”
The research funding also addresses gaps in services for 2SLGBTQ+ Nova Scotians. Dr. Jacqueline Gahagan’s project will examine barriers to mental health supports for transgender and non-binary individuals in rural communities.
“In smaller communities, finding knowledgeable and affirming care can be nearly impossible,” says Riley MacLeod, a transgender advocate from Cape Breton. “Many people have to travel hours to Halifax, if they can afford it. Many simply go without help.”
Statistics from the Canadian Mental Health Association show that LGBTQ+ individuals experience rates of depression and anxiety up to three times higher than heterosexual and cisgender Canadians. For those in rural areas, geographical isolation compounds these challenges.
Critics note that while the research funding is welcome, it represents only a fraction of what’s needed to address systemic inequities in mental health care. The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers has called for sustained operational funding for community-based programs, not just research initiatives.
“Research is essential, but people need services now,” says Dr. Elizabeth Church, a mental health policy analyst. “The question will be whether this translates into permanent, accessible programs after the research concludes.”
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Brian Comer acknowledges these concerns but defends the research-first approach. “We need evidence-based solutions that work for diverse communities,” he said at the announcement. “This funding will help us understand how to build more effective, culturally responsive systems.”
For those most affected, the impact of these initiatives extends beyond clinical outcomes. Back at the community garden, Morris reflects on what mental wellness means for his community.
“Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness—it’s about thriving, about having a sense of belonging and purpose,” he says. “For communities that have experienced historical trauma and ongoing discrimination, healing is also about justice and recognition.”
As the sun begins to set over Halifax Harbor, casting long shadows across the garden, Morris offers me a handful of fresh herbs—rosemary and thyme.
“These plants heal too,” he smiles. “Sometimes the most effective medicines are the ones that have been around us all along. We just need to remember how to use them.”
