Moving Forward in 2026: NS Moms Lead the Change

Nova Scotia Moms for Compassionate and Collaborative Mental Health Care—NS Moms—are preparing for an active fall season in 2026, continuing their call for caregivers to be recognized as essential partners in mental health care.

The caregiver-led group has used education, media outreach, presentations, resource development, and direct engagement with health professionals and decision-makers to draw attention to the barriers families face when privacy concerns, stigma, and system complexity limit their involvement.

NS Moms has also developed practical resources, including information pamphlets and letter templates, to help caregivers prepare for appointments, share collateral information, and advocate for trauma-informed, collaborative support. Feedback from caregivers using the website resources has been strongly positive.

By translating lived experience into focused advocacy, NS Moms is contributing to broader efforts to build a mental health system in which families and clinicians are better equipped to work together. The group says stronger clinician-caregiver collaboration will improve outcomes for patients and families alike.

For many caregivers, NS Moms’ work represents a sign of hope: meaningful change is possible when family voices are heard and compassion is built into the system.