Mental Wellness Workshops Bring Connection and Support to Residents in Rural Pictou County

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Thursday, March 20, 2025

In community halls and church rooms across rural Pictou County, a new kind of conversation has been taking root – one that brings people together to talk openly about mental health. Launched in 2023 with funding from the Aberdeen Health Foundation, a series of workshops has provided residents with a much-needed opportunity to connect, share their stories, and build resilience in a supportive environment.

The workshops, held in seven different locations across the county, were organized in a series of three sessions at each location. Sessions were built around the Mental Wellness and Resilience Toolkit, developed by the Pictou County Mental Wellness Roundtable. This comprehensive resource served as the foundation for the workshops, guiding participants through strategies for managing stress and improving their mental well-being.

“We knew these materials were powerful, and we saw an opportunity to amplify their impact by partnering with Seniors Outreach to bring the toolkit to life — taking it out of the offices and into the heart of the community,” said Aberdeen Health Foundation Executive Director, Michelle Ferris. “We wanted to get it into people’s hands and spark meaningful conversations about mental health. Our goal was to create a shared understanding and comfort around these important topics, making sure the resources were actively used to spark meaningful change that could spread throughout the community.”

Photo caption: Anne Simmonds, RN leads a mental wellness workshop, based on the Mental Wellness and Resilience Toolkit, a resource developed by the Pic-tou County Mental Wellness Roundtable with support from Aberdeen Health Foundation. The Foundation will be looking back on this and its other invest-ments in health care from the past year at its AGM on March 27, 2025, 6:30 pm at Summer Street Industries. Learn more at Aberdeen HealthFoundation.ca

Mary MacLellan, Pictou County Seniors Outreach Coordinator and a representative on the Mental Wellness Roundtable, played a key role in organizing the workshops. Each session was facilitated by Anne Simmonds, a retired registered nurse and former professor. Mary, along with Nurse Debbie Murray attended each of Anne’s sessions to provide continuity and offer additional support if needed during or after the discussions.

The goal of the workshops was to create a safe and welcoming space where people could explore mental health topics, share their experiences, and discover new ways to care for themselves and each other. These conversations have proven especially important in rural areas, where access to mental health resources may be limited. Participants have responded with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“I am so thankful I came – it has helped so much with my grieving and loneliness through these past years,” one participant shared. Another remarked, “This was the best thing I’ve done for myself. The open conversations, the laughter, and hearing others’ journeys made me feel like I’m not alone.”

Designed to be engaging and interactive, the workshops featured activities that encouraged both self-care and community connection. A particularly popular exercise, “Fill Your Cup,” invited participants to reflect on what uplifts them, whether it’s spending time with loved ones, taking walks in nature, or simply enjoying a quiet moment. Equally important was recognizing what drains their energy, helping participants learn to better manage their mental wellness.

Mary highlighted the value of these sessions. “The workshops provided a space where people felt comfortable opening up. In a lot of these communities, mental health can still be a sensitive topic, but the feedback we’ve received shows that people are eager to talk…they just needed the right space created for them to do it.”

The impact of these workshops has been clear, with participants continuing to share their experiences long after the sessions ended. “You know, we hear from folks who participated in the workshop last Spring and they are still talking about them,” MacLellan shared. “It’s wonderful to see how they’ve had such a lasting impact.”

While the sessions concluded in the Fall of 2024, the tools and strategies they shared remain valuable to anyone seeking to build resilience and improve their mental well-being. The Mental Wellness and Resilience Toolkit, which was central to the workshops, is available for anyone to explore. It offers practical guidance on maintaining mental wellness, making it an excellent resource for individuals looking to take charge of their mental health. Learn more about the Toolkit here.

The Aberdeen Health Foundation is the leading charity for enhancing health care in Pictou County. In 2024, the Foundation invested over $2.7 million to fund medical equipment and enhance health programs at the Aberdeen Hospital and in the community. Your contribution can be the catalyst for even greater change — find out how you can make an impact here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Ferris
Executive Director
Aberdeen Health Foundation

902-752-7600 ext. 4442
Michelle.Ferris@nshealth.ca