Supports and services in Nova Scotia
Overview
This page has information about free, publicly-available supports and services in Nova Scotia that you may find helpful.
Supports and services in Nova Scotia
Visit the Nova Scotia website to learn about support for mental health, addiction and wellbeing in the province.
Please contact each service directly to find out the following:
what times you can use the service
what languages are available
other details about how the service works
To contact a service, use the link and/or phone number provided below.
Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line
The Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line provides crisis intervention to people experiencing a mental health crisis or mental health distress. The Crisis Line can be used by children, youth and adults.
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crisis is self-defined by the person calling for support.
The crisis line also supports the following groups of people to manage mental health crises:
families
friends
community agencies
other groups
The crisis line provides education, outreach and consultation.
To access: Call 1-888-429-8167 (toll free)
Nova Scotia Health – Mental Health and Addictions Program
Nova Scotia Health's Mental Health and Addictions Program is a comprehensive and provincial program that provides services and supports to people with mental health and substance use concerns.
The program offers a variety of services, including the following:
e-mental health and addiction tools
assessment and diagnosis
individual and group counselling
medication management
crisis intervention
community outreach and education
The program also provides specialized services for specific populations, such as youth, seniors, and people with complex needs.
To access: Call 1-855-922-1122 (toll free) or visit the Mental Health and Addictions Program website.
IWK Health Centre – Mental Health & Addictions
The Mental Health and Addictions Program provides services for children and youth in the following environments:
schools
community clinics
day and residential programs
inpatient settings, for the most acutely ill children and youth
The Program treats children and youth up until their 19th birthday. It provides care that centres the needs of patients and their families.
The Program offers more indirect services through consultation with family practice physicians as well as training with community partners. This training enhances skills to provide care in the community. Services are evidence-based; in other words, services that research has shown to work.
To access: Call 1-855-922-1122 (toll free) or visit the IWK Health Centre Mental Health and Addictions website
HealthyMindsNS
HealthyMindsNS is a set of online mental health resources. These resources are available free to post-secondary students. They add to the mental health supports and services available on campuses.
HealthyMindsNS was created to:
make sure students have access to mental health supports whenever they are needed
strengthen students’ knowledge of mental health issues
provide a wider array of resources, particularly for students experiencing mild to moderate symptoms
To access: Visit the HealthyMindsNS website
Nova Scotia 2-1-1
Nova Scotia 2-1-1 is available 24/7 to connect people to programs and services in their community. By providing information and referrals, 2-1-1 helps make connections to local community groups, non-profit and government organizations.
People can call 2-1-1 to get help for any of the following people:
themselves
their family
a friend
a neighbour
a client
To access:
By phone:
Within Nova Scotia, call or text 2-1-1 (toll free)
Outside of Nova Scotia, call 1-855-466-4994 (toll free)
Visit the Nova Scotia 2-1-1 website, which includes a live chat
Email Nova Scotia 2-1-1 at help@ns.211.ca
Thank you. Your feedback is important to us.
