October 8, 2025
Every year at Let’s Keep Talking, the Foundation recognizes inspiring mental health leaders who use their own experiences to drive change, build supports, fight stigma, and improve the lives of those struggling with mental illness or addiction in their communities. Let’s Keep Talking Award recipients either live with mental illness or addiction themselves or support those who do.
Meet THE 2025 Award Recipients
Outstanding Individual: Tina Comeau Surette
Mother and advocate Tina Comeau Surette turned heartbreak into purpose after the loss of her son Justin in 2024. Open about their family’s journey with addiction, she now speaks in schools and communities, breaking down stigmas and sparking vital conversations. A short film that she and her son Jacob created called Justin’s Addiction Story: No Family is Immune, has been viewed more than 360,000 times, amplifying awareness and honouring Justin’s legacy.
Outstanding Individual: Gordon Farmer
Gordon “Gordie” Farmer has turned his own struggles with PTSD into a mission of hope for youth. As a security team member at Cape Breton University, he is known for his warmth and joy. Through his fundraising initiative Bottles for Kids, Gordie has raised over $62,000 for youth mental health. With openness, resilience, and compassion, he inspires young people to seek help and believe in brighter futures.
Outstanding Individual: Shelley Linders
Shelley Linders, Wellness and Support Manager at the Evangeline Mental Wellness Hub in Berwick, draws on her lived experience with schizophrenia, anxiety and depression to guide her work. Symptom-free from schizophrenia for over 11 years, she has dedicated herself to peer support, leading programs like Personal Development and Laughter Yoga. A board member of the Kingston/ Greenwood Mental Health Association, Shelley inspires hope, resilience, and community well-being through her leadership and compassion.
Outstanding Individual: Kelly Mitchell
Kelly Mitchell is the Founder of Aidaen’s Place Youth Support Hub in Yarmouth, created in memory of her daughter, Aidaen, who died by suicide in 2019. A passionate advocate, she serves on the Provincial Caregiver Advisor Committee for Youth Integrated Services and founded Resilient Life & Leadership. With lived experience, leadership expertise, and deep community commitment, Kelly inspires resilience, compassion, and strength in families, professionals, and community leaders.
Outstanding Individual: Dustine Rodier
Supt. Dustine Rodier has been with the RCMP since 2000, serving in four Divisions before her current role at National Headquarters as Senior Strategic Advisor in Occupational Health and Safety. A strong advocate for mental health, she draws from lived experience with PTSD and recovery, sharing her story across the RCMP and first responder agencies. Dustine champions psychological supports, resilience, and well-being for members nationwide.
Outstanding Advocate: Caitlin Morrison
Caitlin Morrison carries forward her brother Matthew Perry’s legacy by advocating for long-term recovery support. With a deep commitment to breaking down stigma and improving access to resources, Caitlin has played a pivotal role in the development of the Matthew Perry House Ottawa, a first-of-its-kind supportive housing initiative. She brings both professional leadership and a personal understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by addiction.
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
AWARD SPONSORS
Thank you to our Let’s Keep Talking Award sponsors.
SPECIAL THANKS to Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites, Stoo Metz Photography, St. John Ambulance, Lana Grant, and Chris Iannetti for supporting this event.
2025 award recipients (L-R): Gordon Farmer, Kelly Mitchell, Tina Comeau Surette, Shelley Linders, and Supt. Dustine Rodier. Photo credit: Stoo Metz Photography