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The Creative Well-Being Initiative

The Creative Well-Being Initiative began in 2022 with the goal of improving the mental well-being of PEI’s artists and creative sector workers. During the first iteration of the project we made connections within art and mental health communities and began discussing ways in which we could achieve our goal.

The current phase of the project has resulted in the development of a free therapy service for artists, as well as a peer support program. The project has been made possible thanks to funding from The PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being.

The End Goal
We want the arts sector to thrive on Prince Edward Island and we know that it is not fully possible without supporting artists and creatives. We are aiming to improve the mental well-being of arts workers who often struggle with the emotional strains of making creative work, difficult working conditions, and precarious employment. We hope that by supporting artists in this way, we will also be able to identify ways that artists can support the community at large  through the use of art as a means of promoting mental well-being.

Upcoming Events

Information on upcoming events like Peer Support meet ups, Information Sessions and our Creative Well-Being Conference are available on our events page at creativepei.ca/events

The Creative Well-Being Conference

We’re excited to announce the date of the 2025 Creative Well-Being Conference will be Friday, November 7th from 10:00am to 4:30pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. The conference will feature a wide range of presentations, panels and discussions on topics like balancing the need to make art with the need to make a living, the results of our PEI Accessibility and Barriers in the Arts survey and extending the social safety net for self-employed arts workers. After the conference we’ll invite everyone to come unwind at Art Night at the Guild and have fun with their fellow artists. Hands-on well-being!

Free Therapy Program

In collaboration with Our Landing Place, Creative PEI is excited to announce that we are continuing and expanding the free therapy services for professional Island artists and culture workers! While we would like to provide counselling to everyone that applies, funding is limited, so services will be available on a first come, first served basis. This program is funded by the PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being.
For more information on program eligibility and to apply, please visit ourlandingplace.com/creative-wellbeing

Artist Peer Support Program

Creative PEI has two Peer Support Workers on staff. The goal of peer support is to create a safe space for creatives to gather to discuss the intricacies of working in the industry (i.e. burnout, creative blocks, instability of work, etc.) There are currently two peer support groups, one in Charlottetown and one in Summerside.

Summerside Peer Support Group for Artists and Creators

Who is it for? – Artists and creators who sell their work.

Is there a cost? – It is free to attend.

When is it and where is it held? – It is held monthly, usually at Art Buds, but this changes from time to time.

What can I expect?

  • A large table in the centre of the room with chairs placed around the table.
  • Art making supplies on the table
  • A confidential, welcoming and casual environment.
  • Folks can stay for the entire session or leave when they need.
  • A wide-ranging conversation about life and work as a creative.
  • There is no expectation to share but everyone will have an opportunity to share.

What do I bring? – Folks are welcome to bring an existing project or sketchbook -anything that helps you feel comfortable.

Contact the group’s facilitator:

If you have additional questions or would like to be added to the group email, please do not hesitate to contact Lokki Ma – lokki@creativepei.ca.

Peer Support Group for Artists with a Disability or Neurodivergence

Are you an artist navigating life with a disability or neurodivergence? You’re not alone—and your unique creative voice deserves a supportive community.

Finding work or sustaining a creative practice as a disabled or neurodivergent artist often requires twice the effort for half the access. Many of us face systemic barriers, sensory overwhelm, rejection, or imposter syndrome. We may also wrestle with how to value our art in a world that often sees disability as limitation, not wisdom

This peer support group is a safe, welcoming space for local artists of all disciplines who identify as disabled, chronically ill, and/or neurodivergent. Whether you’re a painter, writer, performer, or maker, this group is designed to nurture connection, mutual support, and creative growth.

Come join us August 18th at The Charlottetown Library Learning Center from 5:30-6:30pm for a community information session to launch our new peer support group

Our Peer Support Workers

Lokki Ma grew up in PEI and worked in professional theatre for over 15 years in Toronto before moving home in 2021.

Lokki has provided 1:1 support and facilitated peer support groups with the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network in Ontario and co-facilitated compassionate care workshops through Sunnybrook Hospital to help healthcare professionals improve the care of bereaved families.

She is looking forward to meeting artists across the Island and working to improve our collective mental health!

Rachel Matheson is our Accessibility Outreach Coordinator, and focuses on accessibility, inclusion support and community building.

A stand-up comic, Rachel attended Humber College’s Comedy Writing and Performance program in 2012, and has spent the past 12 years performing throughout the country. She also has over a decade of experience working in the early childhood and school-age care sector supporting children with complex needs which was where her passion for advocacy and empowerment of others began.

As a disabled and neurodivergent artist, she noticed there was a lot of work to be done to make arts spaces more accessible for artists and audiences alike and is thrilled to be working with our community partners to make these conversations a priority within PEI’s arts sector.

Contact

For more information contact the Project Coordinator Mark Sandiford at mark@creativepei.ca.

Other Mental Health Supports

In Person Mental Health and Addictions Open Access Counselling

Open Access Counselling offers walk-in 60 minute counselling sessions across Prince Edward Island. Further assessment, use of different approaches to therapy, or referral to a specific service can be carried out if you and your clinician agree they are necessary. For hours and locations please refer to the following link:

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/mental-health-and-addictions-open-access-counselling

 

PEI Toll-free Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line

1 833-533-6983

The Toll-free Mental Health and Addictions phone line “provides Island residents access to a trained mental health professional 24 hours per day, seven days per week. This service assists in the moment when help is needed and acts as a referral source for those who may need longer-term or more in-depth assistance by linking them to appropriate programming and supports, including clinical teams who can provide in-person services at one’s residence.”

 

Bridge the gApp

Bridge the gApp is “a new way to connect with guidance and support for mental health and addictions.” The site offers educational videos in their Knowledge Centre on a variety of topics such as depression, coping with grief, burnout, etcetera, as well as a service directory organized by county as well as some online programs.

https://pei.bridgethegapp.ca/adult/

 

CMHA-PEI Learning, Training & Support Hub

The Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Branch offers free courses, webinars, workshops, supports and events to Islanders on a variety of mental well-being topics. Check out their website for upcoming sessions.

https://pei.cmha.ca/our-programs/cmha-learning-training-support-hub/

 

AFC

AFC is an organization that supports Canadian arts and entertainment industry workers by helping them access supports and services that maintain their health, dignity and ability to work. AFC has created Navigator, a free, personalized, confidential assistance service that connects arts and entertainment industry workers to mental health resources, programs, and supports.

https://afchelps.ca/resources/navigator/