October 14, 2025 | Photos by Stoo Metz Photography

On October 7th during Mental Illness Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia hosted Let’s Keep Talking, our annual public event that brings the community together to speak openly about mental health and honour Nova Scotia’s community mental health champions.

Featuring keynote speaker Caitlin Morrison, a leading advocate and key figure in the development of Matthew Perry House (a supportive housing initiative in Ottawa), and CTV National’s Paul Hollingsworth as emcee, the evening was full of connection, honest storytelling, and renewed hope.

Community Mental Health Champions

2025 award recipients (L-R): Gordon Farmer, Kelly Mitchell, Tina Comeau Surette, Shelley Linders, and Supt. Dustine Rodier.

The program opened with recognition of the 2025 Let’s Keep Talking Award recipients, five Nova Scotians who have made significant contributions through lived experience, advocacy, and community leadership:

Tina Comeau Surette
Gordon “Gordie” Farmer
Shelley Linders
Kelly Mitchell
Supt. Dustine Rodier

These individuals live with mental illness or support those who do, and they use their experiences to drive change, break down stigma, and strengthen supports across communities.

Healing Together

As keynote speaker, Caitlin Morrison drew on both professional insight and personal commitment to share a message of resilience, community care, and long-term recovery. Her advocacy work in shaping Matthew Perry House — a trailblazing supportive housing model for individuals living with addiction and mental health challenges — underscores the importance of stable, compassionate supports in recovery journeys.

Caitlin reminded the audience that healing is strengthened when people are not isolated, but surrounded by caring networks—and that creating spaces of belonging is essential to sustained mental health.

To honour her contributions and the values she represents, the Foundation made a donation in her name to Matthew Perry House, supporting its ongoing mission to provide wraparound care, housing supports, and recovery pathways.

Let’s Keep Talking and the LKT Awards were made possible through generous support from:

Presenting Sponsor: Bell Let’s Talk
Gold Sponsor: Medavie Foundation
Award Sponsors: Dalhousie University’s Department of Psychiatry, IWK Health’s Mental Health & Addictions, Nova Scotia Power, and Scotiabank