Support and Healing Information

Self-advocacy is an important tool for advocating for your rights and needs. When you advocate for yourself, you actively make decisions about your life, which can create positive change in your community. It helps ensure your voice is heard and your concerns are addressed. Self-advocacy can build confidence and empower you to overcome barriers holding you back.

However, self-advocacy can also take a toll on your mental and physical health. You may experience increased stress and anxiety as you continually push for your rights, especially in difficult situations where you don’t feel supported. This stress can lead to exhaustion, mental burnout, and even physical symptoms like headaches or trouble sleeping.

Advocating for yourself can sometimes feel isolating. You might feel alone when you’re focused on solving problems or addressing challenges. The pressure to succeed can make it easy to forget to take care of your own well-being, leaving you feeling emotionally drained.

It’s essential to balance your self-advocacy efforts with self-care. Reaching out for support, finding moments to rest, and using available resources can help you manage stress. By caring for your mental and physical health, you will be better equipped to continue advocating for yourself effectively.

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Self & Collective Care

The following is taken from our guide Rainbow Rights: A Human Rights Legal Information Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ Nova Scotians.

Self-care is the practice of actively taking steps to maintain and improve one’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It involves recognizing and addressing personal needs and boundaries and engaging in activities that nurture and restore one’s health and happiness. Self-care can include a wide range of practices, such as exercise, healthy eating, relaxation techniques, hobbies, and seeking professional support when needed.

Self-care can sometimes be a form of survival. Self-care may encompass comforting activities, or difficult ones that serve us in the long term. For example, self-care might look like a luxurious bath or a special treat, but sometimes it can look like paying bills and cleaning up our space. It is a proactive and intentional process that helps us manage stress, prevent burnout, and nurture a sense of contentment.

Self-care is essential for sustaining resilience and ensuring that individuals can effectively meet their own needs and cope with life’s challenges.

Self-care is important, but we can sometimes ignore the systemic realities of our world and our interconnectedness in this. A common critique is that no amount of self-care can cure experiences of discrimination. This is why other forms of care may be essential for those in the queer community.

Collective care is a practice and philosophy centred around the idea that individuals' well-being is deeply interconnected with the well-being of their community. Unlike self-care, which often focuses on individual needs, collective care emphasizes mutual support, shared responsibility, and collaborative efforts to care for one another, particularly in marginalized communities.

Collective care involves creating systems, structures, and relationships that prioritize collective health, safety, and thriving. This concept recognizes that everyone has different capacities and resources, and it encourages people to show up for each other in meaningful ways, especially in times of crisis or need.

Collective care is an act of solidarity and resistance against systems of oppression, highlighting the importance of nurturing interdependence and building a more compassionate and equitable society.

20 Self-Care suggestions you can use to help you take care of yourself!

Take breaks – Step away from tasks to recharge.
Stay active – Go for a walk, exercise, or try yoga to release tension.
Eat well – Nourish your body with healthy meals.
Get enough sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours each night.
Drink water – Stay hydrated throughout the day.
Talk to someone – Share your feelings with a friend, family member, or counsellor.
Practice deep breathing – Focus on breathing to relax your mind and body.
Spend time in nature – Go outside and enjoy the fresh air.
Unplug from technology – Take a break from screens and social media.
Do something creative – Try drawing, writing, or crafting to express yourself.
Journal your thoughts – Write down how you feel to clear your mind.
Listen to music – Enjoy calming or uplifting music to improve your mood.
Take a bath or shower – Relax with warm water to soothe your muscles.
Set boundaries – Learn to say no when you need to protect your time and energy.
Meditate – Spend a few minutes in quiet meditation to center yourself.
Read a book – Escape into a good story or learn something new.
Do something you love – Engage in a hobby that brings you joy.
Limit caffeine – Too much caffeine can increase anxiety, so try to reduce it.
Practice gratitude – Write down or think about things you are thankful for.
Laugh – Watch a funny show or talk to a friend who makes you laugh.

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Supportive Options

HELPLINES

Women’s and Resource Centres

Sexual Health Centres

Victim Services

Mental Health Supports

Province’s Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167

Legal Information Line—The Legal Information Line provides Legal Information to Nova Scotians and can also suggest resources.

211 - 211 provides you with a connection with organizations across the province. - 211

Health Information and Services (811) - 811 provides a basic connection to health care information based on your symptoms and what you are experiencing.

Nova Scotia Health, Mental Health, and Addictions Services—Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addiction services can support Nova Scotians mentally. Those who face challenging times may often need additional support to ensure that they can cope with the circumstances positively and safely.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides many resources for those who struggle with mental health issues. From coaching to peer support to educational resources, CMHA promotes mental health support within the community.

Art Therapy with Evie Dunvill
Art Therapy offers healing through a guided creative process that promotes wellness. When words aren’t enough, this experience holds the potential to tap into the depths of our personal power. Please contact Evie Dunville to book a Creative Wellness or Art Therapy session. Group rates are available.
website: https://eviearttherapy.ca/

Nova Scotia Peer Support Phone Service: 1-800-307-1686
A non-crisis support line for mild mental health and addiction concerns.
website: https://www.supportyourpeople.com/peer-support-phone-service

NS Health Authority Mental Health Programming: http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/mental-health-program
Learn more about programs, supports, and services in your area.

Laing House: https://www.lainghouse.org
Laing House is a non-profit dedicated to empowering young people living with mental illness by providing well-rounded support in their wellness plans, which leads to better outcomes. They offer quality, non-clinical, people-centered mental health support for youth ages 16 - 29.

Canadian Mental Health Association Halifax-Darmouth: https://www.cmhahalifaxdartmouth.ca
Get information about mental health and existing supports.

Break the Silence: https://www.breakthesilencens.ca/.
A website with resources and information for survivors of sexual violence.

Therapy Assistance Online: https://taoconnect.org/what_is_tao/ns/
This is a free library of engaging interactive programs that teach life skills and help you bounce back from disappointments or stumbling blocks.

Mindwell: https://app.mindwellu.com/novascotia
This is a free service focused on working professionals which teaches mindfulness-based skills to help people become more focused and less stressed.

Breaking Free: https://wellness.breakingfreeonline.ca/
This free resource is an online relapse prevention program to help people learn mindfulness-based skills to help people with

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