Understanding Depression: Halifax Joins CAN-BIND’s Nationwide Public Talk Series
November 2025 —
CAN-BIND’s Understanding Depression public talk series continued its nationwide rollout with the second event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, held at the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Royal Bank Theatre. The series brings practical, research-informed insights about depression directly to communities across Canada, connecting attendees with local CAN-BIND sites, researchers, and clinicians
The event began with opening remarks from Dr. Rudolf Uher, psychiatrist and professor at Dalhousie University, who also serves as CAN-BIND’s Halifax Site Lead and Principal Investigator for the OPTIMUM-D Study. Dr. Uher welcomed attendees and highlighted the value of connecting research with the community, explaining how bringing CAN-BIND’s latest findings directly to the public allows people to learn, ask questions, and engage with local mental health experts. Dr. Abraham Nunes, psychiatrist and assistant professor at Dalhousie University, then provided an overview of the evening’s agenda, underlining how each talk was designed to deliver practical insights that attendees could apply in their own lives or share with their communities.
The presentations offered a mix of evidence-based guidance and practical strategies for attendees to take home. Dr. Barbara Pavlova, clinical psychologist, shared how to ensure therapy meets individual needs, including tips on asking the right questions and making the most of each session. Dr. Matthew McAdam, psychiatrist, discussed the vital role of sleep in mental well-being and offered practical strategies to improve sleep and support overall mental health. Dr. Nunes returned to present the latest approaches for treatment-resistant depression, highlighting innovative interventions such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, ketamine therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. The session concluded with Dr. Nirushi Kuhathasan introducing the CHOICE-D Guide to Depression Treatments, a resource shaped by lived experience perspectives that helps patients and families identify the treatment options best suited to their individual needs.
Following the presentations, the event once again featured a lively question-and-answer session, a hallmark of the Understanding Depression series. Attendees eagerly spoke with the speakers about a wide range of topics, from therapy approaches and sleep strategies to the latest treatments for more complex cases of depression. The event highlighted the importance of connecting communities with local experts, providing attendees with practical knowledge, and opportunities for meaningful conversation.
As the public talk series continues across Canada, CAN-BIND remains committed to fostering these important conversations to help Canadians stay informed about the latest developments in mental health research and care. The momentum from the series carries into the new year, with the third event scheduled for January 2026 at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario.
Don’t miss the next opportunity to join the series and be part of the conversation!