Open Letter to Medical and Health Care Providers, Mental Health Professionals, and Interested Organizations in HRM, Nova Scotia

 

By Kendall Worth

 


 

 

 

Hello,

My name is Kendall Worth, and I am writing this letter as a follow-up to my recent open letter (April 8, 2026):
https://worthmatters.blogspot.com/2026/04/an-open-letter-to-nova-scotia.html

In today’s letter, I want to expand further and provide a deeper look into why the concept of Social Prescribing — as explored throughout my BLOG here:
https://worthmatters.blogspot.com/search/label/social%20prescribing— is urgently needed in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

Who This Proposal Is For

You may be a good fit for the type of support group I am advocating for if you:

  • Live with ongoing social isolation (no friends or limited contact with family)

  • Have experienced friendships ending due to boundary-related challenges

  • Have attempted to repair relationships unsuccessfully, in some cases leading to further personal or legal difficulties

If you have experienced any of the above, then the type of support system proposed in this letter may be relevant and necessary.

 

Understanding Social Prescribing

Through my research, I have learned that social prescribing is:

An approach to health care and well-being that addresses not only physical health, but also social factors such as loneliness, isolation, personal growth, creativity, and community connection.

This approach recognizes that mental health is deeply connected to social experience.

 

Questions for Consideration

I ask you, as a reader, to reflect on the following:

  • Can you imagine living on $1022 per month — or less, as was the case in previous years?

  • Can you imagine living without friends to visit, talk to, or spend time with?

  • Can you imagine having no one to call, walk with, or share everyday life with?

  • Can you imagine your only social interaction being in line at food banks or soup kitchens?

As you explore the links provided throughout this post, these questions will begin to answer themselves.

 

For those unfamiliar with my work, I write the For What Matters Journalism BLOG:
https://worthmatters.blogspot.com

My BLOG focuses on first-voice reporting from individuals in Halifax, Nova Scotia living with mental health challenges and poverty.

I have also been a long-time poverty advocate and activist within this community.

 

Social Context in Halifax

There is a strong community of social justice advocates in Halifax working on interconnected issues:

I have also written about how long-term poverty can shape personality and social behaviour:

Even with current income assistance rates at $1022/month (see:
https://worthmatters.blogspot.com/2026/01/turns-out-2026-starts-off-with-another.html), the reality remains:

After rent and basic expenses, there is little to no capacity for social participation.

Additional systemic barriers include:

While clinical services are essential, there is a major gap in non-clinical, social-based supports.

This proposal recommends:

  1. Peer-based support groups focused on relationships and connection

  2. Social prescribing programs linking individuals to community supports

Together, these provide a more preventative and holistic approach to mental health care.

 

2. The Problem

Currently in Nova Scotia, there is no dedicated system that supports people in:

  • Coping with friendship loss

  • Understanding and maintaining boundaries

  • Rebuilding social confidence in a structured environment

This gap contributes to worsening mental health and increased reliance on crisis services.

 

3. Proposed Solutions

3.1 Peer-Based Support Groups

Structured, facilitated groups focused on:

  • Friendship loss and rejection

  • Boundary awareness and respect

  • Communication skills

  • Social confidence rebuilding

Key features:

  • Peer-based model with trained facilitators

  • Delivered through community or health partnerships

  • Safe, structured, and respectful environments

  • Focus on real-life skill-building

     

    3.2 Social Prescribing Programs

    A model where healthcare providers refer individuals to:

  • Peer support groups

  • Community programs

  • Social and recreational activities

Benefits include:

  • Reduced reliance on medication-only approaches

  • Addressing root causes of mental health struggles

  • Increased community engagement

  • Improved well-being

Further reading:

I am also proposing the development of a Non-Professional Friendship Peer Support Worker role.

 

4. Expected Outcomes

  • Reduced social isolation

  • Improved mental health outcomes

  • Lower strain on crisis and emergency services

  • Stronger interpersonal skills

  • More connected communities

     

    5. Implementation Considerations

  • Pilot programs in select communities

  • Partnerships with existing organizations

  • Facilitator training in peer support and boundaries

  • Ongoing evaluation and feedback

     

    6. Conclusion

    Nova Scotia has an opportunity to take leadership in addressing social isolation as a core mental health issue.

    By investing in peer-based support and social prescribing, we can move toward a system that is:

  • More human-centered

  • More preventative

  • More inclusive

     

    Final Thoughts

    There are many reasons why friendships and social connections are essential.

    If you explore the links throughout this letter, you will see clearly how social and economic conditions in Halifax make it difficult for people to build and maintain relationships.

    At its core, this proposal is about one thing:

    Creating safe community and safe opportunities for social connection.

    Kendall Worth


Comments

Post a Comment