Self Help Connection, Dartmouth, NS

To assist Nova Scotians to improve control over their health by increasing their knowledge, skills and resources for individual and collective action. To provide information on self-help groups, resources and issues, and to refer individuals to the appropriate self-help group, professionals, community resources. 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. 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. 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.