Sudbury peer-to-peer organization combats winter blues with focus on self-care while preparing to partner in two HART Hubs

Northern Initiative for Social Action, also called NISA, helped members beat the winter blues with self-care on Friday.

As the winter months take their toll, a Sudbury peer-to-peer organization is helping its members prioritize mental health and self-care. The Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA,) hosted a series of activities on Friday aimed at fostering well-being, including haircuts, nail care, makeup sessions and jewelry-making workshops.

NISA - nail polish A client of Northern Initiative for Social Action in Greater Sudbury gets their nails done t a self-care event held to beat the winter blues on February 21, 2025. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Founded in 1997, NISA was created to provide a space for individuals with lived experience of mental illness to rediscover their skills and talents while contributing meaningfully to the community. The organization focuses on developing occupational skills, nurturing self-confidence and providing resources for recovery.

“NISA’s original members came together to create a space where people with lived experience of mental illness could rediscover their skills and talents while participating meaningfully in the greater community and research has shown our model works,” the agency stated on its website.

The organization emphasizes three core principles: ‘being, belonging and becoming.’ Through its programs, NISA helps participants take charge of their mental health and live lives that are meaningful to them.

In addition to its regular programming, NISA is a partner in two new HART hubs set to open in Greater Sudbury. These hubs will provide critical services addressing homelessness and addiction treatment. One location will be at the Lorraine Street Transitional Housing Complex, while a second downtown site has yet to be announced.

Speaking with CTV News, Marty Boucher, NISA’s executive director, highlighted the importance of peer support in the new hubs.

Marty Boucher Marty Boucher, NISA’s executive director, speaks with CTV News about Greater Sudbury's two planned HART hubs and the importance of peer support in recovery programs. February 21, 2025. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)

“We are going to be looking for peers that are ready to help people who are far in their recovery, who can use their experience to help others,” he said.

“It is important to have those experiences as part of the team so that the care people receive is really all-encompassing.”

The HART hubs aim to provide comprehensive care by integrating the expertise of individuals with lived experience, ensuring services are both empathetic and effective.

As winter continues, NISA remains a vital resource for Sudbury residents, offering a supportive community and practical tools to help individuals navigate the challenges of the season and beyond.

For more information about NISA and its programs, visit their website.

NISA - Hair cut A client of Northern Initiative for Social Action in Greater Sudbury gets a hair cut at a self-care event held to beat the winter blues on February 21, 2025. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)