**Men's Heart Support Association**  
The **Men's Heart Support Association (MHSA)** is a registered British Columbia nonprofit society and charity (Business No. 787342872RR0001) dedicated to providing peer-led support for men with cardiac conditions. Established as a grassroots initiative, the organization focuses on fostering resilience and community through structured peer support groups[1][2][4].

## Purpose and Activities  
The association operates support groups to create safe environments where men can:  
- **Share experiences** with others facing similar cardiac challenges[1][2]  
- **Build personal resilience** through storytelling and mutual encouragement[1][4]  
- **Develop supportive networks** to address the psychological and practical challenges of cardiac conditions[2][3]  

Groups are facilitated by trained volunteers and emphasize long-term peer support rather than clinical therapy. The MHSA emphasizes self-sustaining operations through volunteer leadership[1][4].

## Organizational Structure  
As a registered Canadian charity, the MHSA adheres to nonprofit governance standards and operates under a volunteer-driven model. The association collaborates closely with healthcare networks while maintaining organizational independence[4]. Notably, it co-founded a complementary **Women’s Heart Support Group**, though this operates as a separate entity[4].

## Historical Context  
While specific founding dates are not publicly documented, the MHSA emerged in response to identified gaps in gender-specific cardiac care support. Its community-driven approach reflects broader recognition of the link between mental health support and cardiovascular recovery[1][3][4].

[1] https://www.cardiacdudes.org [2] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/Mens-Heart-Support-Association/ [3] https://www.cardiacdudes.org/about [4] https://www.islandhealth.ca/sites/default/files/heart-health/documents/mens-support-group.pdf [5] https://thediscoverygroup.ca/2022/11/canadian-mens-health-foundation-with-wayne-hartrick/