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:

1. One-on-One Counselling Sessions – Mental Health Support

Delivered in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, The Well provides:

• Crisis‑prevention resources
• Free and subsidized counselling sessions
• Group counselling focused on areas such as self-esteem, interpersonal communication, group management, and dialectical behavioural therapy.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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: