Almost 42% of Nova Scotians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, which is higher than the national average. Nova Scotia also has one of the largest Canadian rural populations, with over 40% of the population living in rural areas. Rural communities across Canada face higher rates of mental health and substance use conditions compared with urban areas but also face added barriers to care, meaning that many people who need mental health care don’t receive it, especially in the communities where they live.
Community-based mental health care is recognized as necessary to make sure that care is available to people in the communities where they live, when they need it and that it is acceptable and appropriate. The perspectives of people with lived and living experience of mental health conditions living in rural Nova Scotia communities are essential to help guide research to improve the availability of and access to care in rural Nova Scotian communities.
This two-year research study will focus on communities in Northeastern Nova Scotia (Pictou County, Antigonish County, Cape Breton) and will explore three research questions:
1) What Community-Based Mental Health services are currently available?
2) What are the experiences of rural communities related to availability, accessibility and quality of Community-Based Mental Health Care in rural communities (e.g. what is working, what is not working, what is missing)?
3) What steps should be taken to strengthen Community-Based Mental Health Care in rural communities (e.g. what are the priorities of relevant partners related to strengthening CBMH)?
We are recruiting 10 adults with lived and/or living experience of mental health conditions to participate in a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP). The LEAP will be an integral part of the study’s governance structure, providing input into all aspects of the research including: study implementation, study methods, co-authoring publications, and setting priorities for and collaborating on subsequent funding proposals.
Eligibility
- People who self-identify as having lived or living experience of a mental health condition
- Adults over 18 years
- Living or in Northeastern Nova Scotia (Participants from other regions might be considered but note that the research, at this stage, focuses on the Northeastern region)
- Able to attend and participate in monthly online meetings and provide occasional written feedback on documents
- Participants from diverse and equity-deserving communities are encouraged to apply
- Please provide a brief email or letter describing your interest in the position
Time Commitment
Participants will be asked to participate in approximately one meeting per month over the course of about 18 months. The first meeting will take place in late September 2025 once recruitment is finished. Participants will also be asked to occasionally provide written feedback on documents.
Meetings will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes and will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for LEAP members. Meetings may be skipped some months due to holidays (e.g. December, summer).
Participants will be provided with any meeting materials at least one week before all meetings. Meeting preparation should take no more than one hour.
Compensation
Compensation will be provided in alignment with MSSU guidelines for patient partner compensation. Compensation will be provided by cheque or direct deposit.