Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions Program

We understand that sometimes things come up. We hope that you can continue to provide us with notice of cancellations whenever possible.

If you provide us with enough notice to cancel, we're able to offer your space to someone who has been waiting, and who could truly benefit from mental health care at this time.

Thank you for your understanding, and stay well.

A new day hospital in Kentville is offering intensive mental health and addictions care for people in the western health zone, which includes the Annapolis Valley, South Shore and Southwest region.

A team of mental health specialists, including a psychiatrist, mental health nurses and social workers, provides individual psychiatric treatments and therapeutic group programs. Patients are at the hospital during the day and return home in the evening.

Read more here: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/07/24/new-mental-health-and-addictions-day-hospital-now-open-kentville

This is the third day hospital to open in Nova Scotia. Learn more about our day hospitals here: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/services/mental-health-acute-day-hospital

ATTENTION: Drug Alert in West Hants area.

FYI ⬇️

📞 Caller ID for Nova Scotia Health facility calls

Facility names and numbers will now show up when we call you.

This change is in response to feedback from patients that are not answering calls that display as ‘unknown number’ and potentially missing messages about their care.

Note: In sensitive cases, facilities can still choose to appear as “Unknown Number.”

This update, based on your feedback from the Healthcare Improvement Challenge, is part of our commitment to enhancing healthcare for Nova Scotians.

On Wednesday, August 14, join Krista Lauff, Adolescent Outreach Worker with Mental Health and Addictions, who will show you how to make your own journal at the Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex’s community room in Guysborough from 12:30 – 3 p.m.

This is a free event for those ages 12-16. Materials and snacks will be provided. Space is limited so register soon by emailing [email protected].

Feeling a bit lonely or overwhelmed this summer? You're not alone. Togetherall is here to help you stay connected and supported in an anonymous and compassionate community.

Join us for a season of peer support and shared experiences. Let’s make this summer about connection and mental well-being.

Sign up today at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/area. Remember to use your postal code when signing up!

Check out this upcoming event at the Canso Public Library on Monday, August 12 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for those ages 12-16.

Join Krista Lauff, Adolescent Outreach Worker with Mental Health and Addictions, who will show you how to make your own journal and explore how to use it to improve your mood and set goals!

This is a free event and materials and snacks will be provided. Space is limited so register soon. To register please email [email protected].

We’re re-sharing these fun alcohol-free summer drinks with you in anticipation of the long weekend🌞

Why not try one of these delicious mocktails with family and friends in the next few days? Enjoy!!

With the long weekend ahead, we wanted to share some supports and resources that are available to you, no matter where you live.

For more information, download YourHealthNS and visit the Mental Health and Addictions section or visit www.MHAhelpNS.ca

We are proud to share that the New Glasgow Recovery Support Centre team recently entered ‘Race on the River’ a few weeks ago and they received third place for community teams and won two out of three races!

Race on the River is a community event in New Glasgow that has been happening for the last 21 years. This year, over 25 teams competed in the event, which supports local charities including Women Alike Breast Cancer Survivors Society, Special Olympics Northern Region and Pictou County Prostate Cancer Support.

Way to go team!

Students who have just graduated, this one is for you!

Adolescent Outreach has planned a virtual series to promote mental wellness for those heading to post-secondary in the fall.

If you are interested please contact Adolescent Outreach Worker, Molly Crosby, at [email protected]

Struggling with focus and energy? Sitting for 9.6 hours a day, the average for Canadians according to Health Canada, can take a toll on your wellbeing.

Long hours in front of a computer, lengthy commutes, and busy lifestyles often lead people to move less, impacting their mental health and, consequently, their productivity and engagement at work.

No worries, we've got your back! This August, MindWell brings a series of programs focused on helping you stay active, so you can boost your energy, focus, and overall well-being.

This programs include:

- Unlock Better Sleep
- Tiny Habits for Daily Activity
- Beyond “Tasting the Bitter”: Embrace Movement
- Nourish Body & Mind

Learn more and sign up here: https://app.mindwellu.com/novascotia/vueLogin

Join Krista Lauff, Adolescent Outreach Worker with Mental Health and Addictions, who will show you how to make your own journal at the Sherbrooke Public Library on Thursday, August 8, 12:30 – 3 p.m.! Ages 12-16, All genders welcome.

This is a free event and materials and snacks will be provided. Space is limited so please register by emailing Krista at [email protected]

E-mental health and addiction tools are online resources for people who want to address their mental health and substance use issues or who are supporting others.

They can be helpful for people who may not have access to traditional mental health and addiction services, or for those who prefer to seek help online.

The tools do not replace in person treatment but instead provides additional options for Nova Scotians seeking support and care for their mental well-being and mental health and substance use concerns who need less intense services and supports.

Learn more about our tools here: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/emhatools

Do you know about The Bloom Program?

It is a community pharmacy initiative designed to increase and improve mental health and addictions care for Nova Scotians.

Learn more below and visit https://bloomprogram.ca/pharmacies/ to find a pharmacy near you!

Today is International Self-Care Day. Check out our summer tips and let us know if you have any to add! ☀️

ATTENTION: Verified in the West Hants area.

Feeling a bit lonely or overwhelmed this summer? You're not alone.

Togetherall is here to help you stay connected and supported in an anonymous and compassionate community. Join us for a season of peer support and shared experiences. Let’s make this summer about connection and mental well-being.

Sign up today at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/area

Access Wellness is a free single-session supportive counselling service for individuals, couples or families. Trained counsellors can help people manage stress, mild to moderate depression or anxiety, relationship issues, general mental health concerns, loss and more.

Visit https://accesswellnessnovascotia.ca/ to chat with a counsellor (or call 1-833-691-2282) and set up an appointment to spend one session with them - online with video, over the phone or in-person.

Coping with Grief and Trauma: When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn
When tragedy happens, life can change in an instant.

If you are living through grief after a life-changing event, join us in exploring coping strategies, healing resources, and ways to support those affected by loss.

To learn more about grief and find online tools, visit: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/topics/symptoms/grief

Wondering where you can get a free Take Home Naloxone kit? With approximately 465 locations, you're bound to find a location near you!

Naloxone kits are available free of charge to anyone at risk of opioid poisoning or who may witness and respond to an opioid poisoning. Participants will be offered training on how to identify a poisoning and respond with a naloxone kit. Training takes about 20 minutes.

Click here to find a location near you:

THN Locations - click the square to filter type - Google My Maps Please click on the square on the top right of the map. You will be able to choose which type of services point you would like to access your free kit and training from. 1. Pharmacy 2. Healthcare Facility/Clinic 3. Harm Reduction Agencies 4. Mobile Access who will meet you

Have you heard about Common Roots Urban Farm - Woodside? It is an urban farm and community garden located at the Nova Scotia hospital, is a community farm as a piece of health infrastructure.

They are hosting an event in their garden this Saturday, July 20 (rain date, July 21).

Everyone is welcome!

Take 5 is MindWell’s central mindfulness-in-action practice. Take 5 can be used anytime or anywhere to lower stress, increase focus and get you back into the present moment.

There are five basic steps to help you flip the switch and redirect your attention into the present moment. Learn more about Take 5 and sign up here: https://app.mindwellu.com/novascotia/landing

When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to listen.

Nova Scotia Peer Support Phone Service is available to all Nova Scotians by calling 1-800-307-1686.

Hours include Wednesday to Friday - 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays - 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Peer Support Phone Service 30s This is "Peer Support Phone Service 30s" by Trampoline Branding on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Do you ever wonder what happens when you call our Intake Service?

We've developed this graphic to help tell a story and inform Nova Scotians what to expect when calling 1-855-922-1122.

Our Intake Service is the entry point for all requests for service through a provincial toll free number.

Have you heard about our free e-Mental Health tool Tranquility?

Tranquility is an internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) program that has been shown to be effective in improving outcomes and reducing symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and depression in youth and adults (16+). Qualified and experienced coaches are on hand to help clients get the most out of the program.

Who is appropriate for Tranquility?

Tranquility is appropriate for youth and adults (16+) with mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression, Tranquility is not suitable for individuals at imminent risk of self-harm or who have had a recent psychotic episode.

Learn more and sign up here: https://www.tranquility.app/novascotia

Alyce Casey, Health Promoter in Central Zone, has been coordinating and facilitating Substance Use Disorder Support Education (SUDSE) sessions virtually and in person.

SUDSE is an interactive day-long session centered on transformational conversations about substance use, substance use disorders, addiction, harm reduction, and supporting those in our community.

It is a facilitated experience designed with first-voice perspectives whereby participants learn from each other through discussion and exchanging knowledge with other participants

Learn more and read the full story here: https://www.nshealth.ca/news-and-notices/health-promoters-central-zone-are-creating-space-transformational-conversations

Leadership Safety Rounds (LSR) exist at Nova Scotia Health as an important tool for leadership and frontline staff to discuss safety concerns. This often includes concerns regarding the physical space of the service, the acuity of illness among clients, and the potential challenges of staffing.

The staff at Connections Halifax recently met with Mental Health and Addictions Program co-director Matthew White and Head of Psychiatry Dr. Vincent Agyapong for LSR. The team at Connections Halifax discussed how safety has been improved significantly since moving to their current space at Park Lane Mall and how this change has benefitted both staff and clients.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4csp0sQ

Embrace the power of self-compassion.

Dive into Togetherall series of selfcompassion tips and discover the support waiting for you on Togetherall. Because you deserve kindness, especially from yourself.

Join the Togetherall community today for FREE at https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/area