NISA/Northern Initiative for Social Action

NISA/Northern Initiative for Social Action NISA/Northern Initiative for Social Action is an organization run by and for people with lived experience of mental health challenges/mental illness.

NISA is a peer-run, recovery-oriented mental health organization located in downtown Sudbury which offers peer support along with active living, and creative and skill development programming. In all that we do we aim to offer a space for Being, Belonging, and Becoming. Being: a basic acceptance of oneself; not having to apologize for one's existence. Belonging: having other people to relate to; being part of a group; having 'family'. Becoming: developing new skills and pathways in life. We at NISA feel we have much to offer to the process of mental health reform. We have a working model for organization, cooperation, and community involvement. We have acquired experience, and a knowledge base which we have documented and shared with others both in Ontario and internationally.

Join us for a Holiday Art Bazaar on December 5th here at NISA!This event will feature our membership and art made by loc...
11/18/2025

Join us for a Holiday Art Bazaar on December 5th here at NISA!

This event will feature our membership and art made by local artists. Just in time for the holidays, come check out our talented members and shop some of their work! All proceeds will directly benefit the artist as this is a cashless event. Payments can be made by e-transfer only.

Details:
When? December 5th, 2025 2pm to 6pm
Where? NISA, 36 Elgin Street on the 2nd Floor
Who? Open to the public! Everyone is welcome.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be closed today, November 17, 2025. We apologize for the short notice and any i...
11/17/2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be closed today, November 17, 2025. We apologize for the short notice and any inconvenience. We will re-open tomorrow, November 18, 2025. We hope to see you for our drop-in day.

This Remembrance Day, we come together as a community to honour the brave men and women who served — and those who conti...
11/11/2025

This Remembrance Day, we come together as a community to honour the brave men and women who served — and those who continue to serve — with courage, dedication, and love for their country.

We remember their sacrifices, their stories, and the peace they helped secure for generations to come. We'd love to hear stories of your loved ones. ❤️

Lest we forget. 🌹

This week at NISA! Please note that we will be closing early on Remembrance Day. We are sorry for the inconvenience but ...
11/10/2025

This week at NISA! Please note that we will be closing early on Remembrance Day. We are sorry for the inconvenience but we hope to see you still!

There are peer sessions every day from 2:15 to 3:15. If you would like to make an appointment for one-on-one peer support, or join any of our Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday groups, please give us a call at 705-222-6472 or email info@nisa.on.ca.

This week at NISA!There are peer sessions every day from 2:15 to 3:15. If you would like to make an appointment for one-...
11/03/2025

This week at NISA!

There are peer sessions every day from 2:15 to 3:15. If you would like to make an appointment for one-on-one peer support, or join any of our Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday groups, please give us a call at 705-222-6472 or email info@nisa.on.ca.

A reminder that NISA is closed October 28 for our Annual General Meeting. We hope to see you there! We will be back to r...
10/28/2025

A reminder that NISA is closed October 28 for our Annual General Meeting. We hope to see you there!
We will be back to regular hours on October 29.

October 10 marks World Mental Health Day. 🧠Over two-thirds of people who experience a mental health problem will seek he...
10/10/2025

October 10 marks World Mental Health Day. 🧠
Over two-thirds of people who experience a mental health problem will seek help from a professional due to stigma. This World Mental Health Day, let's talk about mental health. When people feel the need to hide their mental health, they are less likely to seek help and isolate themselves. Talking about our mental health can reduce stigma, promote good self esteem, and improve mental wellness.

Every challenge we encounter presents a valuable opportunity to grow, adapt, and evolve. It's through these moments of u...
10/06/2025

Every challenge we encounter presents a valuable opportunity to grow, adapt, and evolve. It's through these moments of uncertainty that we develop resilience, sharpen our skills, and uncover our true potential. 🌱

[Every challenge is a new opportunity for growth]

Join us in welcoming Kim Sunderland - peer support pioneer and co-author of Canada’s Peer Support Guidelines—for a readi...
10/02/2025

Join us in welcoming Kim Sunderland - peer support pioneer and co-author of Canada’s Peer Support Guidelines—for a reading from It’s All Gonna Be Okay.

Fri, Oct 3, 2025 • 12–1 pm • NISA Common Area, 36 Elgin Street, Sudbury ON.

All are welcome!

🧡 Today, on National Truth and Reconciliation Day, we pause to honor the truth, remember the children who never came hom...
09/30/2025

🧡 Today, on National Truth and Reconciliation Day, we pause to honor the truth, remember the children who never came home, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities across Canada.

Reconciliation is not a single day, but a lifelong journey, one that begins with listening, learning, and holding space for the truths of the past.

While we reflect on the impact of residential schools and colonial systems, we also recognize the strength, resilience, and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. This day reminds us of the importance of mental health, community healing, and cultural connection.

✨ Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in safe spaces, in shared stories, in collective action, and in the quiet moments of reflection. Today, we commit to protecting the mental wellness of survivors, their families, and future generations.

Let us walk forward - not with guilt or shame, but with responsibility, compassion, and hope. Together, we can build a future rooted in respect, truth, and understanding. 🧡




🛑  : Seated Forward Fold1. Sit comfortably. Make sure your legs are extended straight in front of you, and that your spi...
09/27/2025

🛑 : Seated Forward Fold
1. Sit comfortably. Make sure your legs are extended straight in front of you, and that your spine is straight.
2. Inhale deeply and stretch your arms overhead, reaching towards the ceiling.
2. Exhale and bend at the waist, keeping your back straight and leading with your chest.
3. Try to reach as far as you can without going too far and keep your spine straight.
4. Remember to breathe! Try holding the pose for at least 30 seconds. Everytime you inhale lengthen your spine, and every time you exhale try to reach just a little bit further.
5. Slowly return back to your seating position and let go of any tension.

Stretching can improve your mood, focus, and relieve stress. Physical activity in all its forms are great for improving mental health. You can join us every Friday at 11:30am for a physical activity including pilates, yoga, or dancing. Check the calendar to see which activity it'll be!

The Power of Peer Support:"I didn't always have the words to describe how I was feeling until I started talking about it...
09/26/2025

The Power of Peer Support:

"I didn't always have the words to describe how I was feeling until I started talking about it. One day, someone read what I had said and told me that 'they had been there too.' It made me feel less alone and it empowered me to keep talking about how I was feeling. Eventually, I got to be the person who reached out and said that I'd been there too. Talking about my experiences gave me the language, and confidence that I needed to advocate for myself and come back from the dark."

Please note that while this is a stock photo, this is a real account of how peer support has helped someone when they needed it. When we have the words to describe how we feel, and when we talk about our experiences, we realize that we aren't the only ones who have felt this way. It can help us feel less alone in our thoughts - especially at a time when our brains might be telling us differently.

Address

36 Elgin Street 2nd Floor
Greater Sudbury, ON
P3C5B4

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4pm
Friday 9:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+17052226472

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