Music Nova Scotia is proud to announce the launch of a new three-year program to support Music Nova Scotia members’ mental health: The Well, made possible through the generous support of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

The Well is a new artist‑centred wellness initiative created by Music Nova Scotia to support the mental, emotional, and physical health of musicians across the province. Artists are the heartbeat of our cultural identity, yet they face unique pressures – unpredictable income, performance stress, travel demands, substance‑use environments, and limited access to mental‑health resources. Artists experience housing and food insecurity as well as above-average mood disorders.

Our Mission

To provide accessible, artist-led wellness supports that help Nova Scotia artists and industry professionals thrive onstage, offstage, and within their communities.

Current Core Programs:

One-on-One Counselling Sessions – Mental Health Support

The Music Nova Scotia Counselling Program is designed to provide eligible members with timely, confidential access to professional mental health support. The program emphasizes early intervention, prevention, and short-term, goal-oriented counselling to assist members in managing personal, emotional, and occupational challenges before they become more significant.

This program is intended to complement, not replace, ongoing mental health treatment available through private practice, employee benefits, or community mental health services.

Please click here to access the full Counselling Access Policy.

Emergency Food Insecurity Fund

Intended to support unexpected job loss, illness, eviction, or other unforeseen disruptions, Music Nova Scotia members can access this fund by filling out The Well’s Emergency Food Insecurity Fund Intake Form here.

Workshops and Training Sessions

Training session topics that impact those working in the music industry, such as performance anxiety, touring stress, and burnout are provided.  Artists and those working in the music industry also have the opportunity, through a partnership with The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, to take Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health in the Workplace programs through St. John’s Ambulance.

Panels at industry events and conferences are opportunities to reduce stigma within the music community and increase awareness of challenges faced by those working in the music industry.  Recent topics have focused on Neurodivergence in the Music Industry and Parenting as Artists.  Future discussions are planned to revolve around food security, addiction, and housing.

Peer Support Networks

The Nova Scotia musician community has a number of trained peer supporters. We are currently working to support community-based groups of artists who meet to support each other, as well as start new groups offering artists the opportunity to access support from those who have a shared lived experience.

The Well at Nova Scotia Music Week

Music Nova Scotia Members attending Nova Scotia Music Week in Truro/We’kwampekitk from November 12-15, 2026 can access the following wellness services and activities throughout the event:

• Daily breathwork and cold plunging sessions, led by Mandy Morgan of SerenDIP Therapy (available on a first-come, first-served basis)
• Daily fitness sessions in the Inn On Prince fitness centre, led by Kayo
• Daily vocal warm-ups led by Rachael Delano, to prioritize safe vocal health

Safer Events Atlantic Initiative, supported by Women In Music Canada’s Atlantic Chapter and Balancing Act

The Safer Events Atlantic (SEA) Initiative is a regional framework and designation program designed to support music venues, festivals, conferences, and industry events in creating safer, more inclusive, and accessible environments across Atlantic Canada.

Developed through the Level UP! Atlantic program led by Music Nova Scotia in partnership with Music PEI, Music/Musique NB, and Music NL and in collaboration with Balancing Act and Women in Music Canada, SEA responds to longstanding and systemic gaps in safety, accessibility, and caregiver support within the music industry.

Full details on the Safer Events Atlantic Initiative are coming soon.

Sustainable Voice Use for Performance Program with Rachael Delano

1-1 sessions on Sustainable Voice Use for Performance 

• Singing is both a mental and physical sport that should be trained as such. Sessions will cover everything from Vocal Function Exercises, ribcage kinetics, Resonant Voice Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Training techniques and more! All of these pedagogical tools will be designed to target the bio/psycho/social side of voice use while performing to ensure members feel confident on stage while contributing to their overall wellness. 
• End of Sept – Mid Dec, Jan-March, April-June, July-end Sept. 

Active members can apply using this form. Anyone can apply, but members who have upcoming performances and/or vocal health concerns will be given priority for each quarter.

How to Access:

Access to The Well is provided to Music Nova Scotia Members in good standing. To learn more about Music Nova Scotia membership and the benefits of signing up, please click here:

Music Nova Scotia members can access The Well services by filling out the intake form here: