About the Self-Help Connection

The Self-Help Connection (SHC) is a non-profit, registered charitable organization set up in 1987 to promote self-help groups throughout Nova Scotia. The SHC currently receives operational funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and program funding from the Nova Scotia Departments of Health and Community Services and Human Resources Development Canada. In the past we have received funding from Health Canada.

We would like to acknowledge and thank our funders:

Our Purpose

To assist Nova Scotians to improve control over their health by increasing their knowledge, skills and resources for individual and collective action.

Our Goals

Information and Referral

To provide information on self-help groups, resources and issues, and to refer individuals to the appropriate self-help group, professionals, community resources.

Capacity Building and Support

To develop projects/programs to meet the health needs of specific health populations; to help individuals set up, lead and maintain self-help groups; to assist professionals in setting up support groups and peer support networks

Research and Evaluation

To conduct research on self-help and mental health issues; to train and mentor mental health consumers in participatory action research initiatives; to evaluate programs and projects of the Self-Help Connection.

Guiding Principles

• Do with groups, not to or for
• Recognize that citizens have an inherent capacity to learn, grow and change
• Believe that through self-help group participation people can acquire the knowledge, skills and resources to take control over their health
• Believe citizens have the right to choices for enhancing their health
• Believe it is important to foster partnerships with self-help allies to promote self-help

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