Due to social and economic circumstances, women are more likely than men to experience poor mental health. But generally speaking, women find it simpler to express their emotions and have greater social networks, both of which can help them maintain their mental health. An average of one in five women suffers from a common mental health issue like depression or anxiety. These can arise for a variety of reasons, although several risk factors are common among women. Women often internalize their negative emotions when they find it difficult to express them. Depression, eating disorders, and self-harm can result from this.

As a result, men are more inclined to engage in disruptive or antisocial behaviour as a way of expressing their emotions. Women tend to have greater social networks than men do; they find it simpler to confide in their friends, and they are more likely to have had treatment for a mental health issue. On the other hand, there are certain elements that safeguard women’s mental health.

Stephanie Atwood, founder and executive director of ElevateHER Mental Health Services Canada, always had a desire to help other women, both emotionally and practically, and now that dream has come true by founding ElevateHER. It is an organization whose mission is to provide programming and support and foster positive social change and independence for those who identify as female, and their families.

Prior to earning many degrees and credentials in the field of mental health from ivy league colleges like Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Michigan, Stephanie first studied counselling, human services, and correctional services (NSCC). In the previous two years, Stephanie also pursued studies in logotherapy and attained certification as a life coach. Stephanie appreciates lifelong learning and is constantly expanding her education.

A Journey to Inspire Millions

Stephanie was born in 1989 and was raised in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada. She has two younger sisters and one older brother. She began her career as a youth worker at the Shelburne-based House Youth Wellness Center. After graduating from high school, she attended Nova Scotia Community College to study Human Services and Correctional Services.

Stephanie worked as a correctional officer while attending the University of New Brunswick after graduation. She later settled in Pictou County after returning to Nova Scotia, where she worked as a field coordinator for youth programs and started a pet care company. After that, she relocated to Colchester County, where she first worked as a women’s support worker before starting ElevateHER.

A survivor of gender-based Violence, Stephanie’s story is itself an inspiration for many. She shares, “Being a survivor and knowing what wasn’t out there for me when I needed it, knowing those gaps and knowing the gaps of what adults with past trauma need and knowing it is not out there, and if it is, there is such a huge stigma around mental health professionals needing or seeking out mental health services to maintain a healthy lifestyle / mental health.”

Founding ElevateHER

Stephanie once had her job terminated after speaking at a gathering about her background. They thought that Stephanie couldn’t help young people since she had endured such violence, that keeping her on the job would be risky, and that she had to focus on her own mental health before she could help others. Stephanie was taken aback because they cannot coexist.Why can’t a survivor play a supportive role? Her eyes were truly opened to the severe gaps and the stigma, and she realized she had to do something to change things. She asserts, “I had what it takes to do just that. Authenticity with boundaries – this is crucial and needed – why can’t there be a place where that exists?”  

According to Stephanie, the mental health crisis in Nova Scotia is real, and the lack of authentic, survivor-led services with a professional component is a result of organizations and professionals being overwhelmed and burned out.

Exclusive Offerings

ElevateHER provides mental health support services for those who identify as feminine and gender nonconforming, ages 12 and above. It offers empowerment initiatives, preventative programs, transitional solutions, and disruption tactics for exploitation and trafficking in human beings.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia and ElevateHER collaborated to create the GATE (Girls Action Against Trafficking & Exploitation) initiative. Stephanie is still collaborating with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Cape Breton on their “It’s My Life” human trafficking prevention program for Atlantic Canada.

One of ElevateHER’s most popular programs for youth ages 9 to 13 and mentors ages 16 to 19, Girl Code, was designed by Stephanie and has been run across the province. She also created the Life Skills program for incarcerated women, which has been facilitated by Correctional Services of Canada for the last 4 years.

A Visionary Leader and a Loving Person

Stephanie balanced the front line and the operational element of her job at first because she was the only team member of the organization and performed a lot of front-line work. Stephanie’s main areas of concentration include HR, operations, procuring funds, and developing/strengthening connections now that the organization is financed and has formed strategic and effective partnerships. She continues to work hard on the front lines to prevent and transfer victims of trafficking and exploitation.

Stephanie is pretty similar to how she is in the workspace outside of it. Stephanie really enjoys visiting her distant relatives in Germany. She has also taken several courses at Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Michigan in counselling, logotherapy, life coaching, CBT, and other topics. She is an avid writer, with many of her writings having been published in the past.

Stephanie adores laughing and making others laugh, both inside and out.She strongly believes that “if you take care of your team, and foster a healthy and empowering workplace where everyone feels valued, then they will take care of the clients.” She thinks the workplace should be honest, collaborative, and empowering. When Stephanie isn’t working, you can find her on her ATV, at the beach with her dogs, trying new foods, or travelling. She is authentic with boundaries. She loves creating dollhouses in the winter since she loves miniatures. She asserts, “My grandmother, Valda, is my best friend, so I enjoy going home to Shelburne to see her and my niece, Mila.”

Envisions to Expand with Authenticity

As Stephanie sees it, being a social leader chose her. She says, “Each of us has a purpose, and after searching for meaning and purpose through adversity for a huge chunk of my early years, I discovered that being a social leader is my purpose.”

ElevateHER operates with the following fundamental values: compassion, acceptance, respect, transparency, courage, authenticity, inclusivity, integrity, diversity, synergistic communication, and diversity. Stephanie also hopes to run the business with these basic principles in the next five years in Atlantic Canada and in all of Canada in the next ten. She is now working on a book that she hopes to have published in the next three to four years. She aspires to assist other female social entrepreneurs and leaders in living meaningful lives.

Words for Every Brave Soul Out There

• “Listen to your mind, body, and soul. Take a holistic and authentic approach.”
• “Just do it… what is there to lose? Nothing. Take risks and experience to learn your limits, your strengths, and your purpose.”
• “Anything truly is possible”
• “As long as you live a life that aligns with your core values, you can never disappoint yourself”
• “Don’t do things for others, do them for yourself first”

Website: www.elevatehercanada.ca