Department of Psychiatry

Faculty of Medicine

Serving and Engaging Society Strategy

GOAL: To close gaps in serving equity-denied groups and becoming a more trusted partner to community

The strategic direction Serving and Engaging Society focuses on the department’s external-facing community engagement and allyship to equity-denied groups. It is informed by our departmental Values, five Guiding Principles, and prioritized equity-denied groups.

The Serving and Engaging Society Committee serves as a compass, an example, and a resource.

As a compass, it sets the overarching direction of Serving and Engaging Society activities.
As an example, the individual and collective projects of the committee lead Serving and Engaging Society by example.
As a resource, it provides clear lines of communication with department members and funding opportunities.

Guiding Principles

The department’s stated Guiding Principles were co-developed by our department with community partners. These five Guiding Principles inform departmental equity work across all streams to promote alignment between our stated Values and our actions.

Nothing about us without us: To promote reciprocal co-creation and co-ownership of programs and all academic deliverables

Do no harm: To include awareness of past/present colonial harms, potential future harms, and environmental stewardship

Pluralism/Two-eyed seeing: To include a stance of curiosity & reciprocity in learning and to promote diversity

Strengths-based: To align with positive psychiatry/psychology and to support advocacy

People-first with kindness: To promote a sense of belonging and community

Serving and Engaging Society’s Actions

The department’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan includes the following objectives and high-level actions for Serving and Engaging Society.

Serving and Engaging Society Objectives	High-Level Actions
Build on existing departmental momentum in anti-oppression and community allyship	Continue committee function as departmental resource, equity compass, and model of inclusive practices Continue implementation of strategic directions as outlined in the 2024 Social Policy and Advocacy (SP&A) Policy and Action Plan Framework Share responsibility by encouraging participation in community-facing equity initiatives
Advance departmental competence in anti-oppression, equity, and community allyship, in collaboration with partners	Promote a positive culture for equity work and community allyship by building anti-oppression knowledge, skills, and acumen Develop and implement anti-oppression training and an evaluation plan that addresses anti-oppression and inclusion of equity-denied groups and people with lived experience Encourage progress in anti-oppressive practices by identifying and recognizing departmental efforts
Elevate community voice across departmental activities based on relationship-centered engagement practices	Engage equity-denied groups in shaping departmental activities using a relationship-centered approach Strengthen reciprocal learning and knowledge sharing through two-way knowledge exchange between the department and community partners, recognizing community expertise and ensuring mutual benefit in all collaborative efforts Promote integration of community feedback into departmental practice and policy through structured, transparent, and responsive mechanisms developed with community
Align internal and external anti-oppression activities of the department	Build synergies and alignment across the department and the directions of the strategic plan, and more broadly with the Faculty of Medicine, university, and others, through shared commitment to anti-oppression dialogue and meaningful engagement with our partners Develop and implement a related communications strategy within the department, university, and community

Equity-Denied Groups Identified as Priorities

The 2026-2031 Strategic Plan includes a list of marginalized and equity-denied groups of focus for mental health and addictions services. These groups include:

Indigenous/Mi’kmaq community
Black/African Nova Scotians
Other racialized populations
Newcomers and Refugees
Acadian/French-speaking population
Women (especially single mothers and those experiencing domestic violence)
Vulnerable age groups (over 65 and under 19)
2SLGBTQIA+ community
Rural population
Street population/homeless and those experiencing poverty
Individuals who have been incarcerated
Individuals living with physical and intellectual disabilities
Individuals living with addiction/those using illicit substances
Individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness

Operational areas of focus

To implement the Serving and Engaging Society strategy, the committee focuses on its function in the department, equity-denied communities we serve, its guiding principles, funding, developing anti-oppression skills, communications, sharing knowledge, evaluation, and positive reinforcement.