Workshops & Info Sessions
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Reschedued to: Wednesday, February 4th
10 - 11:30am | in-person & via Zoom
Join us for our first workshop in our Digital Mental Health Series!
The internet can be overwhelming—especially when you’re looking for trustworthy mental health information. This friendly, hands‑on workshop shows you where to look, how to tell what’s real, and how to use simple tools without stress. No previous digital experience needed. We’ll go slow, practice together, and you’ll leave with a one‑page checklist you can use at home.
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Thursday, February 5th
4:30 - 6pm | via zoom
Join us for our last speaker in our Mental Health Speakers Series!
Guest speaker Zoriça Markovich is a multidisciplinary artist who spent time in Greenland studying glaciers and melting ice. Her work explores, among other things, memory, environment and interconnectedness. Her art spans genres combining written prose with experimental audio, digital media, sculpture and more. In this immersive session Zoriça will share her explorations with audio and writing through elements of sounds and silence.
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Wednesday, February 11
1 - 2pm | virtual, via Zoom
Being kind to yourself can feel surprisingly hard. This virtual self-compassion workshop offers a relaxed, welcoming space to learn simple ways to soften self-criticism, build resilience, and treat yourself with a little more care—right where you are.
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Wednesday, February 18th
2 - 3:30pm | via Zoom
Join us for our second workshop in our Digital Mental Health Workshop Series!
This workshop is designed to build awareness and understanding of free digital mental health and wellness support tools. This session explores how apps, websites, and virtual services can help bridge gaps in access to mental health care, especially for individuals who may not want or are unable to access in-person services.
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Thursday, February 19th
5 - 6:30pm | in-person @ NS Art Gallery 1723 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS
Wander and Gab: NS Art Gallery
Join us for a relaxed outing to stroll through the gallery, take in some art, and enjoy easy conversation along the way. It’s a simple, feel-good way to connect with others and spend time together in a welcoming, low-pressure space.
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February 21st & 22nd
9am - 4pm | In-person @ NSCC Ivany CampusThis 2-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is designed to gives you the confidence, knowledge and practical tools to intervene when it matters most. You don’t need to be a counselor or mental health professional – just someone who’s willing to care, to listen, and to take action.
This offering is designated for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender-diverse people, and will be facilitate by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, creating a safer learning environment for community members attending this training.
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Thursday, March 19th
6 - 7pm | via Zoom
Join us for our third and final workshop in our Digital Mental Heath Series!
Technology is woven into our everyday lives—from how we connect and learn to how we relax and cope. This interactive online workshop invites participants to explore their relationship with technology in a thoughtful and supportive way.
Wellness & Recovery Workshops
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Sunday, February 1st
10 - 11:30am | in-person at HMCBuild your personal self-soothing comfort toolkit! In this interactive workshop, learn simple, effective coping and self-soothing strategies to manage stress, prevent overwhelm, and care for yourself before things escalate. Walk away with your own ready-to-use kit and practical tools for emotional resilience.
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Sunday, February 8th
10 - 11:30am | via ZoomReady to live a balanced, intentional, and fulfilling life? In this interactive workshop you will learn how to refill your cup, set goals that truly matter, and build habits that stick. You’ll walk away with a personalized self-care plan, actionable steps for your goals, and practical tools you can start using immediately.
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Sunday February 15th
10 - 11:30am | via ZoomThink mindfulness is only for people who sit cross-legged for hours? Think again! This workshop is designed for busy people who want to be more present in their life, feel calmer, and ruminate less. You’ll leave this workshop with a list of mindfulness practices and confidence in your ability to integrating mindfulness into your daily routine.
Programs & Events
Regular Peer Groups
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Men's Mental Health Peer Support Group
Bi-weekly on Wednesdays | 6 - 7 pm | Online, via Zoom
A non-judgmental space to share and connect with other men. This is a place of encouragement and acceptance for men to speak openly about their challenges in a peer-based, supportive setting and benefit from the experience of others who have 'been there'.
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Men's Walk & Talk Group
Bi-weekly on Thursdays | 6 - 7 pm | Meet at 45 Alderney Drive
This walk offers men an opportunity to step away from daily stress, reflect, and connect with others while strengthening well-being. We’ll pair up for a refreshing walk, and share casual conversation and encouragement — with no pressure to talk if you’d prefer simply enjoying the company.
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2SLGBTQIA+ Mental Health Peer Support Group
Bi-weekly on Fridays | 5 - 6 pm | Online via Zoom
This is a welcoming, affirming space where 2SLGBTQIA+ adults can come together to share, listen, and support one another on our individual and collective mental health and wellness journeys. Together, we will explore mental wellness and healing through shared experience, mutual support, and collective care.
This group is offered in partnership with Lake City Works, Heal NS, Rainbow Refugee Association of NS, Steppingstone, Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance, & the North End Community Health Centre.
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Mental Health Café
Bi-weekly on Wednesdays | 2:30 - 3:30 pm | 45 Alderney Drive, Suite 210
This is a casual, welcoming space to connect with others over coffee and snacks, talk about mental well-being, and know you’re not alone. You are welcome to speak about your own experiences, simply listen, or just be present — there is no pressure to share. Together, we work to reduce stigma, build understanding, and strengthen well-being.
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Mental Health Writers' Group
Bi-weekly on Thursdays | 4:30 - 6 pm | Online, via Zoom | October through June
This online writers’ group blends creativity, community, and play. Together we’ll explore poetry, storytelling, and fun writing activities in a safer, peer-led space where you can share your work or simply enjoy the process. Drop in for inspiration or come regularly to build a project—always at your own pace.
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Wellness Wednesdays
Wednesdays | 5 - 6 pm | Alderney Gate Public Library
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The 4th Wednesday of the Month | 9-10:30 am | The North Grove (6 Primrose St., Unit 115)
Join us for hot coffee and peer connection. This is a midweek moment to connect, reflect, and recharge. No appointments, no pressure—just a welcoming space to hang out, ask questions or seek support with Healthy Minds Cooperatives and fellow community members.
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Climate Café
The 2nd Thursday of the Month | 6 - 7:30 pm | Online, via Zoom
A brave, supportive, and confidential space for participants to share our emotional responses to the climate crisis. Climate cafés focus on feelings; no feeling is too difficult or taboo to discuss. Participants can share as much or as little as they are comfortable with.
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Member Orientation
The last Tuesday of the Month
12 - 12:30 pm | via Zoom
Learn about HMC, meet some of our staff, and discover opportunities to get involved. This short session is a great way to ask questions, learn how we work as a peer-led, community-based organization, and find out how you can make the most of your membership. New, existing, and potential members are all welcome!
Upcoming Programs
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Wednesdays | Feb 4 - Mar 25, 2026
6 - 8 pm | Online via Zoom
Affected Others is a free, 8-week supportive , learning program for adults who have a family member, spouse/partner, or loved one who is living with substance use disorder (i.e. addiction to drugs, including alcohol).
Learn (or strengthen) your skills to:
- Communicate effectively & set healthy boundaries
- Understand the science of addiction & the recovery process
- Practice self-compassion & self-care
Affected Others is administered on behalf of the Mental Health and Addictions Program (Central Zone).
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Saturdays | Mar 21 - May 16, 2026
9:15 am - 12 pm | In-person @ Alderney Gate Public Library (May 16th is a one-day retreat)
Join us for mindfulness meditation practices, contemplation of poems and relevant readings and a bit of yoga and stretching, all with an effort to be mindful and allow whatever is coming up to be there, positive or negative!
MBSR can:
- Reduce anxiety, negative affect, emotional reactivity & stress
- Increase empathy and self-compassion
- Promote a sense of self-connection with others
- Encourage positive lifestyle choices