Unfortunately, families across Nova Scotia continue to report severe, systemic failures of care within provincial Emergency Departments; preventable tragedies resulting from delayed care and a refusal to engage caregivers. Caregivers must let their voice be heard so we can stop this shameful discrimination against those living with serious mental illness and their families. Those responsible will be held accountable.
'How do you even tell someone who thinks they’re fine that they are being delusional?’
In a Pictou County home, a woman looked at a photo of her son taken before it all began. “Oh, that sweet freckled face on my happy-go-lucky boy,” she said. “Do I think he’d hurt me? No. But he also believes he’s Apollo and that he can kill people and bring them back from the dead.” That freckled boy is 25 years old now. He’s sometimes homeless, sometimes couch surfing. His mother has a story to tell about mental illness and a system that’s made involuntary care very hard to get.
Proud Digital Mom
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Denis Riordan, the website designer and creator behind nsmoms.ca. Denis is also a dedicated NSMom member who contributes to our work in many ways. Thank you, for the countless hours you dedicate to designing, creating, and updating this platform for the benefit of caregivers, advocates, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
We appreciate your unwavering enthusiasm and constant energy to keep the website fresh, full of relevant information, and up-to-date with important news, resources and helpful information. Thanks to this vision and hard work, nsmoms.ca has become a widely available source of information for all.
The usage metrics show a steady increase in visitors and activity each month, a testament to the thriving community we are building. Your work makes a difference.
NSMoms Nancy, Cyndi, and Laura were pleased to be part of yesterday’s conference, ‘Mental Health Responses in a Changing World 2026: Innovative Responses to Humanitarian Emergencies’. Our presentation was well received. We had good conversations and made some connections with people who attended the hybrid conference in-person.
At NSMoms, we hear from countless families about emergency room failures involving loved ones living with serious mental illness.. Healthcare services will only improve when we speak up. Complaining can feel overwhelming, and it's natural to fear future poor treatment—but firm, respectful complaints actually encourage clinicians to make better decisions and communicate more appropriately. Our new ER Complaint Tool Kit will help family caregivers turn emergency room failures into powerful, constructive advocacy.
Left to Right: Emily Gallant Nancy, Denis, Jenny Theriault. MS Moms members, Denis and Nancy attended the Learning Circle of Caregivers Nova Scotia on June 8th to present the NSMoms's work and propose ways we could collaborate
NSMom, Nancy, presented to the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners on June 3rd on the work and progress of the Nova Scotia Moms since our initial presentation in September of 2024.
Thank you to the Board of Police Commissioners and the HRM Public Safety Office for your support, interest and encouragement. We will be following up on all of the offers and suggested connections.
Cyndi, Nancy and Jan presented NSMoms' work and distributed their caregiver physician communication pamphlet to prominent psychiatrists, scientists, and housing, homelessness and addiction specialists as well as medical students attending.
Today marks a historic shift in Nova Scotia's healthcare landscape. As the PHIA 38(1)(d) amendment officially becomes law, we celebrate more than just a legislative change---we celebrate a victory for compassion and common sense! This is a step toward a system that recognizes caregivers as the essential partners they are.
By prioritizing collaboration. we are protecting the lives and safety of our most vulnerable citizens. Our work continues until EVERY person with serious mental illness is supported by a circle of care that values family and trusted caregivers. This achievement belongs to everyone who refused to stay silent about the need for better information sharing and caregiver collaboration. Our focus now is to influence a culture shift that ensures a TRULY compassionate and collaborative mental health care system for all Nova Scotians. But today, we celebrate this leap forward!
Dr Richard O'Reilly is well known for his work in Ontario and other Canadian provinces promoting legislation to ensure that people suffering with severe mental illness receive timely and appropriate treatment. In this video he provides very specific advice on methods that caregivers and advocates can use to overcome difficulties they incur in obtaining treatment for our loved ones with serious mental illness.
Pictured above from left to right: Julia Bedell, Leah Ladouceur and NS Mom, Cyndi Corbett. Leah spearheaded the first session of CAMI (Conversations About Mental Illness) with the support of the NSH Mental Health & Addictions Health Promotion Team. Participants included individuals representing various mental health organizations within NS. It is hoped that this is one of many future conversations to promote flourishing for all Nova Scotians.
Jenny Theriault, Executive Director of Caregivers NS (CNS), and JoAnne Connors, Caregiver Support Coordinator Capital Region, met with Moms Cyndi Corbett and Denis Riordan on March 3rd......
Nancy Saunders is pictured with her son Ben Brennan in this undated photo, Ben Brennan died by suicide in April 2023 at age 29. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout Nancy Saunders-(Mandatory Credit) Nancy Saunders
Mom Nancy Saunders speaking with CTV News. In 2024 Nancy said her son Ben was with her and gave her the courage to speak. The story made the national news, July 17, 2024.
As President of the Family Alliance on Severe Mental Illnesses, I wholeheartedly endorse the work of the Nova Scotia Moms-For Compassionate & Collaborative Mental Health Care. Their work truly inspires and strengthens all of our resolve to keep fighting for an improved mental health system that adequately meets the needs of our loved ones so that they may live the best life that they can ....
NSMoms Meeting, November 2025 - Mothers share experiences. NS Moms gathered on Nov. 22nd at Cyndi & Dennis Corbett’s home to celebrate 2025 achievements and to discuss future initiatives.
Nova Scotia Moms for Collaborative and Compassionate Mental Health Care (NS Moms) is a grass roots group of 10 moms and parents of loved ones who are, or were, severely mentally ill.
Mom, Cyndi Corbett, participated in the most recent CIT Training of twenty-two city police officers.
In the one week training session Cyndi presented to the twenty-two officers with the Mobile Crisis Team to provide specialized education about responding to situations involving mental illness.
Members of NS Moms, Nancy, Denis, and Cyndi, met with Alec Stratford, the Executive Director/Registrar of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW), on Thurs., Feb. 5th. ....
As NS Moms we are delighted and proud to announce that on April 1, 2026, the PHIA clause 38(1)(d) will be proclaimed, allowing improved information-sharing between clinicians and caregivers.
This amendment will mean that caregivers are now empowered to share and obtain important information with clinicians and so prevent the many unnecessary mental health disasters and loss of life that have occurred all too frequently in the province over many years.
The new Toolkit is available from the top menu ←