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Building on the success of the inaugural Flourish Forum in 2024 and inspired by the momentum of the 2025 Cape Breton Flourish Forum, Sara is working to bring a new adaptation of the forum experience to her hometown of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. In partnership with The North Grove and local Community Health Boards, planning is underway for a smaller, community-focused "mini" Flourish Forum that will continue the conversation around flourishing, well-being, and community connection.

The event is planned for November 2026. More details, including dates, speakers, and registration information, will be shared as planning progresses. Follow along for updates and opportunities to get involved.

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Alyce will be attending ASI 2026 as a facilitator. Stay tuned for workshop details!

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Alyce will be attending ASI 2026 as a facilitator. Stay tuned for workshop details!

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ASI 2026 Policy Forum ASI 2026 Forum Registration & Pricing Call for Exhibitors Program Schedule ASI 2026 Keynote Address Book Your Accommodations Conference Questions ASI 2026 Sponsors Youth Leadership Program Children’s Program Join us August 18–20, 2026, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, for the Atlantic Summer Institute’s Annual Policy Forum. This year’s theme is Shaping […]

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Sara developed a one-hour virtual session on the fundamentals of flourishing, titled Mental Wellness Foundations, for HealthyNS. This free online session is available to all Nova Scotians and is delivered live by a facilitator rather than as a pre-recorded presentation, allowing participants to engage in real time. The schedule of available session dates and times is updated seasonally. Learn more and register through the HealthyNS website: Healthy NS | Nova Scotia Health

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HealthyNS classes are developed and facilitated by experienced health care professionals from Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health. HealthyNS programs are intended for adults aged 18 years and older, with select programs available for youth. The best part? You don’t need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner to join a program — anyone can sign up.

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Sara originally developed this workbook in 2023 to support in-person, three-hour engagement sessions focused on the fundamental principles of flourishing. Since then, the workbook and its delivery have been adapted for one-hour, both in-person and virtual experiences. Attached is the full version of the workbook. French translation is below and Arabic translation is currently in progress.

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The Frog Pond Analogy helps us connect flourishing to the environment around us.

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Paper Submission: FROM FLOURISHING THEORY TO COMMUNITY PRACTICE: ADVANCING RURAL MENTAL WELLNESS THROUGH ASSET-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

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Paper Submission: FROM FLOURISHING THEORY TO COMMUNITY PRACTICE: ADVANCING RURAL MENTAL WELLNESS THROUGH ASSET-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

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July 2026: Sara and Alyce submitted a manuscript for submission to Health Promoter Practice. If successful with the submission, a link to the accepted article will be provided.

Your manuscript entitled "FROM FLOURISHING THEORY TO COMMUNITY PRACTICE: ADVANCING RURAL MENTAL WELLNESS THROUGH ASSET-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP" has been successfully submitted online and is presently being given full consideration for publication in Health Promotion Practice.

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Centre for Global Mental Health’s “Mental Health Responses in a Changing World 2026” conference. 

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Centre for Global Mental Health’s “Mental Health Responses in a Changing World 2026” conference. 

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Sara and Julia presented "Not just a Band-Aid: Flourishing as preparedness" on July 10th 2026.

Abstract:

Not just a Band-Aid: Flourishing as preparedness

Authors: Brushett, S., Casey, A., Bedell, J., Khoury, L., & Steeves, D.

Resilience has become the expectation for Nova Scotians in the face of recurring emergencies. How can we shift from reactive, emergency-focused mental health response toward proactive mental health promotion that emphasizes prevention?

This interactive breakout session will explore flourishing communities as an innovative approach to reducing risk of mental health harms during emergencies. Mental Health Promoters will share lessons learned and recommendations based on recent humanitarian emergencies in Nova Scotia, including wildfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• explain mental wellness as a preventative approach to reducing mental health harms in emergencies.

• Strengthen meaningful engagement by incorporating listening, motivational conversations, and community-guided action.

• Apply a flourishing lens to support community wellness through the social and physical environment.

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Not Just a Band-Aid Flourishing as Preparedness (1)

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CAMI's future and development is on hiatus due to team capacity. There will be no new sessions offered at this time.

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Workshop Abstract: "All Hands on Deck: A Whole School Approach to Student Mental Wellness"

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Workshop Abstract: "All Hands on Deck: A Whole School Approach to Student Mental Wellness"

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All Hands On Deck: A Whole-School Approach to Student Mental Wellness is an interactive workshop that introduces a whole-school health promotion approach to advancing student mental wellness, centered on the concept of flourishing (a state of high mental wellness) and the ways school environments shape well-being for children and youth. Through experiential learning and discussion, participants will shift from individual-focused responses to upstream, population-level approaches, exploring how to collaboratively assess readiness, build partnerships, and implement restorative, environment-focused strategies that support students to flourish. By the end of the session, participants will be able to describe and apply the dual continua model of mental wellness; explain the core components and impacts of a whole-school approach; and use a structured, collaborative process to identify and respond to school-based needs. Participants will build practical skills in using a shared language of mental wellness, designing upstream strategies, strengthening collaboration with school and community partners, and applying approaches that enhance belonging, reduce harms such as bullying and substance use, and support academic success.

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Bhowmick, S., Stewart, S. H., Conrod, P., Keough, M., Krank, M., Lockhart, P., Steeves, D., Thompson, K., Hadwin, A., & Yunus, M.D. (2024, May 9-10). Investigating the Role of Anxiety Sensitivity in Injury Exposure Risk and Injury-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms [Oral presentation]. Science Atlantic Psychology Undergraduate Student Research Conference 2024, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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The Flourish Forum Planning Committee would like to share the post-package, where you will find a summary of the discussions and key learnings of the day.

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1 in 5 Nova Scotians has a diagnosed mental illness. 5 in 5 Nova Scotians have mental wellness.

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Flourish Forum: Building up rural community mental wellness

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Flourish Forum: Building up rural community mental wellness

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The 1st Annual Flourish Forum was an event held on the Eastern Shore for community members, NGOs and anyone interested in expanding their understanding of the concept of flourishing and how it applies to their community. Learnings included building relationships, taking a strengths-based approach to conversations, mapping community assets, and the mechanisms of being mentally well.

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Art Piece - Flourish on the Eastern Shore 1

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Save the Date! 1st Annual Flourish Forum

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Save the Date! 1st Annual Flourish Forum

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5435 Clam Harbour Road Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia Canada, B0J 2L0

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Memory Lane Heritage Village Nova Scotia

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Memory Lane Heritage Village Museum in Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia, Canada, The Heritage Village Museum captures what it was like to live and work in a rural village from 1940-1950.

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Proposed mental wellness asset mapping project with Halifax Central Library 2022

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Proposed mental wellness asset mapping project with Halifax Central Library 2022

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Emily attended the CHB conference as a panelist for the Coffee Chat, representing the Mental Health & Addictions Health Promotion team.

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Team Attends Tantallon Community Meeting

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Team Attends Tantallon Community Meeting

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Liane and Emily attended the Tantallon Community meeting where residents gathered to discuss their concerns related to the wildfire. We set-up a table with resources and were there to listen and support the community.

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Loud applause filled an Upper Tantallon gymnasium as resident after resident called for action from officials and governments in the wake of a devastating wildfire nearly two months ago.

More than 200 people gathered in the St. Margaret's Centre Thursday night to hear from staff at Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, RCMP, the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Nova Scotia government, and others involved in the fire response.

It was the first public meeting since 151 homes were destroyed and 16,000 people displaced when a fire that began in the Westwood Hills neighbourhood on May 28 tore through the area.

Half of the meeting was given to first responders and officials with various organisations who went over what their roles had been during the fire, with the remaining time given to representatives from affected communities to present comments.

Many of those residents raised concerns about inaccurate and slow communication with residents during and after the fires, the need for new exits into communities with one way in and out, long-standing traffic issues with the Hammonds Plains Road, and installing dry hydrants or other water sources.

"It was good. The conversation has to start somewheres, with the people, the officials - so that's what tonight was all about," said Denys Prevost after the meeting, who also spoke on behalf of the Perry Pond subdivision.

"I don't think that was the intention of the meeting but that was certainly the intention of the residents."

Prevost said he'd like to see residents given a seat at the table during the city's ongoing after-action report into how things unfolded, because without them there won't be a "360 degree view."

He and others said the new Tantallon Wildfire Life Safety Coalition should fill that role. It's a new umbrella group with members from many of the affected neighbourhoods, aiming to ensure that concrete actions are taken and lessons are learned.

"People are hurting and they need answers and they need a plan," said group spokesperson Martin Kenward of Highland Park.

"We don't want to think small. We want what we're doing to be taken and used as a model to help other communities."

No update on possible charges

Some speakers said they were disappointed to not hear an update about whether charges will be laid around how the fire began. The provincial Department of Natural Resources and Renewables is leading that process.

Dustin O'Leary, president of the Westwood Hills Residents Association, said a clear message from residents was that they need the province and city to "stop squabbling" about responsibilities and work better together.

"The only way people are going to feel safe is if they feel like all their elected representatives ... are working together," O'Leary said after the meeting.

Ben Jessome, area MLA for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville, told reporters he appreciated people's candour and emotion.

"People expect results from all levels of government. Things that have been long-standing issues have not been dealt with and there needs to be collaboration driven by the municipality and followed up on by the province," Jessome said.

Jessome said the "duelling" press conferences and lines of communication from both the city and province during the fire made it difficult for people to follow what was happening - himself included.

When asked what must be done better in similar emergencies, Jessome said HRM needs to learn from their mistakes in gathering impacted residents' contact information, but rarely using it.

"People were begged to call 311, saying 'We want your information, we want to know how to get in touch with you.' And there was next to no ... direct communication," Jessome said.

Area councillor Pam Lovelace, who organized the meeting, said she's looking forward to working with city staff and council to address those concerns "in an urgent manner"

"We are already looking at ways that we can fix the budget to ensure that the money and the funds are there to get egress built," she told reporters.

Lovelace said while the city's after-action report will only be compiled by the agencies involved in the fire response, residents will have a part to play after it becomes public. That's when residents can sit down with staff and first responders to fill in the gaps about what was missing and what should have been done, she said.

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Upper Tantallon residents air concerns in first public meeting since wildfire | CBC News

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More than 200 people gathered in the St. Margaret's Centre Thursday night to hear from Halifax Fire, RCMP, staff from the municipality and province, and others involved in the fire response.

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Dan shared a powerful message about mental wellness, languishing and flourishing to a group of senior's in St. Margaret's Bay

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Dan shared a powerful message about mental wellness, languishing and flourishing to a group of senior's in St. Margaret's Bay

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Join neighbours and friends at the Library for light refreshments, conversations, and resource sharing. Our Community Living Room will be a space to work through the recent wildfire that has changed our communities, and discuss practical and emotional steps to take as we rebuild and recover.

Each session of this series will have a special guest to help answer questions, offer direction, and provide support.

Library activities such as books, computers, and board games will be available for children accompanying their caregivers.
In partnership with Bay Seniors and Councillor Pam Lovelace

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Community Living Room: Healing & Rebuilding After the Wildfires

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Join neighbours and friends at the Library for light refreshments, conversations, and resource sharing. Our Community Living Room will be a space to work through the recent wildfire that has changed our communities, and discuss practical and emotional steps to take as we rebuild and recover.

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We’re excited to see you on October 10, 2024, at Memory Lane Heritage Village. This full-day event is all about embracing the strengths of rural communities in Nova Scotia. You’ll learn about the unique benefits of living, working, and playing in rural areas, explore the concepts of flourishing and languishing, and discover ways to improve mental wellness in your community.

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In June 2026, Health Promoters Alyce & Julia facilitated a "Flourishing 101" session to help Public Health colleagues better understand mental wellness as a framework that can be applied to any health promoting work.

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Piloting CAMI: Conversations About Mental Illness

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Piloting CAMI: Conversations About Mental Illness

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CAMI is a new initiative inspired by SUDSE. The purpose of CAMI is to hold destigmatizing conversations about mental illness with community. This initiative started as a student internship project by Leah Ladouceur.

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A French translation of this workbook is now available. Special thanks and sincere gratitude to Julia Bedell, whose dedication, expertise, and commitment made this translation possible. This translation work would not have been possible without her.

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How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down

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How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down

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Scott and Corey discuss the pervasiveness of languishing in our society today and how to feel alive again. Dr. Keyes explains the 5 psychological vitamins we should all be taking to live life to avoid depression and live life to the fullest

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How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down w/ Corey Keyes | The Psychology Podcast

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(TW: During this discussion, there are mentions of death by suicide and self-harm.) Have you ever had an unexplainable feeling of emptiness? Life seems perfect – and yet – something is missing. This week, sociologist Corey Keyes helps us understand where feelings of emptiness come from, how to navigate them and why they’re more common than we might assume. (Source: The Hidden Brain Podcast)

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Flourishing: Feeling Good and Functioning Well

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Flourishing: Feeling Good and Functioning Well

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Dr Corey Keyes is interviewed in an episode of the Positivity Podcast.

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Flourishing: Feeling Good and Functioning Well

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A positive approach to healthcare: Dr. Corey Keyes at TEDxAtlanta

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A positive approach to healthcare: Dr. Corey Keyes at TEDxAtlanta

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Youtube link to Dr. Keyes TED X video

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A positive approach to healthcare: Dr. Corey Keyes at TEDxAtlanta

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Dr. Keyes 5 vitamins displayed in an infographic format. Developed and shared by Dr. Keyes on his website.

Languishing by Corey Keyes - Penguin Random House (prh.com)

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"With his pioneering research, Corey Keyes put languishing on the map. In this powerful book, he brings it to life. Get ready to rethink your understanding of mental health, update your views on happiness, and come closer to realizing your potential."-Adam Grant, #1
New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again , and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

"In this timely book, author Corey Keyes equips us with the tools needed to break free from the mundane and embrace a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment, and offers us a roadmap to reignite our passion for life, work, and relationships. is an important book for anyone seeking to thrive in a world that often leaves us feeling adrift. Embrace its wisdom, and let it be the catalyst for your transformation towards a life well-lived." Languishing
-Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global

"With compassion and clarity, and raw honesty about his own journey, Corey Keyes explains the languishing to flourishing continuum-and how to break out of the ruts that keep us demoralized and worn down, improve our daily functioning, and find a deeply rooted sense of wellbeing. If you feel like you're running on empty, this book is for you."

"Languishing combines decades of Keyes' own scientific research with powerful personal stories to offer an antidote to the feelings of emptiness and nihilism that plague modern humans. Love. Learn. Work. Pray. Play. Five ingredients that have the potential to transform a life. This book will change the way you think about pain and pleasure, our innate psychological needs and the behaviors that throw us off balance, and the path to holistic wellbeing in an overstimulating, overwhelming world."

"Corey Keyes is the leading researcher studying flourishing and languishing. In this conceptually rich and deeply personal book, Keyes helps us to see that most people are languishing to some degree because we live in a society almost perfectly designed to interfere with some of our deepest needs. His sociological insights are profound. His recommendations will help individuals and societies to flourish."
-Jonathan Haidt, Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University, author of The Righteous Mind and co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind

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Languishing by Corey Keyes - Penguin Random House

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Learn more about Languishing by Corey Keyes

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Alyce attended the ASI Policy Forum in 2025

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Alyce attended the ASI Policy Forum in 2025

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Sharing learnings from the conference