Mental health services - general
A national organization that promotes mental health and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.
Halifax/Dartmouth Branch: 455-5445
An innovative health care cooperative that provides a variety of peer-based services to people living with mental illness and their families.
Call 404-3504
Aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy, and research.
Call 465-2601 or 1-800-465-2601
Promotes self-help groups throughout Nova Scotia.
Call 466-2011
A program of the Self Help Connection, the CIC engages people living with mental illness in activities and programs that enhance their ability to take control over and improve their health and well-being.
Call 404-7800
A peer support organization where youth between 16 and 30, who are living with mental illness, can embrace their unique gifts and find their way in a caring, supportive environment.
Call 425-9108
Dedicated to promoting healthy body image and self esteem and to supporting individuals who experience disordered eating.
Call 443-9944.
Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre
Provides structured, social-based programming for urban Aboriginal people. Programs range from adult learning to child care and needle exchange to employment. With its open door policy, the centre is a gathering place and the home of community functions and events.
Call 420-1576
Supports artists with disabilities and related challenges through a range of programs, including creative education and volunteer opportunities.
Call 446-6010
Promotes sexual and reproductive health within an environment respecting and supporting individual choice.
Call 455-9656
A walk-in health and counselling facility which offers a first exit from street life.
Call 420-0676
An on-line directory of family resource centres around the province
Provides practical supports to friends and family giving care. Services include workshops, newsletters focused on caregiving issues, a book and video lending library, telephone caregiver assistance and community-based peer support groups.
Call 1-877-488-7390
Federation acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse (FANE)
Offers support to its member associations and the broader Acadian community, representing and lobbying on behalf of its members, facilitating community dialogue and consultation, communications, research and development.
Call 433-0065
A not-for-profit health association that provides resources, conducts research and disseminates research findings to government agencies, institutions, and Black communities, with a long-term vision of seeking policy reform on health issues of African Canadians.
Call 405-4222
A community-based organization that welcomes newcomers and recognizes their essential role in Canada. Services include settlement support, employment programs, English courses, volunteer and community programs and business development and start-up.
Call 423-3607
Dedicated to the development of individuals and communities in spirit, mind and body. Offers a range of programs and services from recreation to employment.
Call 423-9709
Helps immigrants to Canada settle into their new homes in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The YMCA also helps the mainstream population understand the issues and barriers newcomers face while adjusting and adapting to a new language, culture, climate and community, while maintaining their own.
Call 457-9622
A provincial drug plan designed to help Nova Scotians with the cost of prescription drugs. The program offers protection against drug costs for families who have no drug coverage or if the cost of the prescription drugs becomes a financial burden to them.
Call 1-877-330-0323
West Hants Resource Line
Connects community members with local information, resources and support in the West Hants area.
Call 902-792-2272
Resources for crisis situations
Provides crisis support for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. It offers telephone crisis service 24/7 anywhere within the Capital Health District and mobile crisis response from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily to Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford. The Team includes mental health professionals and police officers that are designated to the crisis service.
Call 429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167
Nova Scotia Department of Community Services – Child Protection Services
The Nova Scotia Department of Community Services’ child protection services protects children under 16 years of age from abuse and/or neglect while making every effort to keep families together.
Call 424-4754 or 1-866-922-2434 (after hours)
Nova Scotia Department of Health - Continuing Care Adult Protection Services
The Department of Health offers help and support for people age 16 or older who are abused or neglected and who cannot physically or mentally protect or care for themselves.
Call 1-800-225-7225
Shelters for women
Adsum House
Offers shelter, food, clothing, advocacy and programs and support for youth, women and their children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Adsum operates three facilities that are dedicated to and responsive to the needs of their clients: an emergency shelter, second-stage housing and affordable supportive housing for women.
Crisis Line: 423-4443
Operated by Saint Leonard’s Society of Nova Scotia, Barry House is a 20 bed shelter for women 16 years-of-age and older - and their children - who are experiencing homelessness. Barry House operates with a harm reduction philosophy. They also try to provide shelter to women accessing shelter with their domestic pet.
Call 422-8324
A 24-bed shelter for abused women and their children.
Distress line: 429-9002
Shelters for men
A facility of Saint Leonard’s Society of Nova Scotia. Programs and services support people over 16 who are experiencing homelessness. Metro Turning Point Centre offers care from crisis back to community.
Call 420-3282
A charitable and religious organization providing a variety of community-based services to people in need.
Halifax Booth Centre services: 422-2362
Shelters for Men and Women
Culturally-sensitive safe houses that provide emergency shelter and counselling to individuals fleeing violence and, particularly, to members of minority communities who are not well served by the mainstream shelter system.
Call 454-5459
Youth Shelter
This 20 single-room facility provides homeless youth with short-term emergency housing, and offers an exit from street-life, for 15 male and five female residents.
Call 446-4663
Food
Facing a problem in life but not sure where to turn? Feed Nova Scotia is there to listen and to connect you with people and services that can help. they can offer help wtih issues such as family break up, parenting questions, grief, access to food and housing or any other issue.
In the Halifax area call 421-1188. In other areas of Nova Scotia, call toll-free 1-877-521-1188.
Feeding Others of Dartmouth
A member agency of Feed Nova Scotia. They provide a nutritous hot meal daily for adults aged 16 years and upwards, many of whom are either physically and/or mentally challenged; most are unemployed.
Call 464-2919
Provides a variety of essential services to individuals and families in need. Their services and programs include a food bank that operates three days a week, a furniture bank that provides furniture and household items free of charge, two retail locations where they sell new and used merchandise, and skills training in information technology and career development.
Call 425-2125
Hope Cottage
Provides meals to those who cannot afford to obtain these meals themselves. They are located at 2435 Brunswick Street in Halifax.
429-7968
Other resources
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre Crisis Line - 425-0122
Kid’s Help Phone (24-hour) - 1-800-668-6868
Parent Help Line (24-hour) - 1-888-603-9100
Youth Help Line (24-hour) - 420-8336
HealthLink 811 (24/7)
This is a 24/7 Telecare service that provides all Nova Scotians with access to a registered nurse who can provide health advice and health information. Dial 811 from any phone registered in the province.
For more information visit Capital Health online.
Employment
Offers workshops and programs for the general public in the areas of career planning, career transition and career management.
Call 491-3527
Lake City Employment Services
A not-for-profit association whose goal is to assist people living with mental illness to improve their quality of life by supporting them to gain independence through work.
Call 465-5000
Devoted to helping persons with disabilities become employed in Nova Scotia.
422-8900 (TTY: 420-0721)
Women’s Employment Outreach
Provides free employment services to women who are unemployed, nearing unemployment, on stress-related leave or looking for a career change.
Call 422-8023
Nova Scotia Career Development Association
Visit this web site for a list of many of the organizations throughout Nova Scotia that provide career services.
Financial
Department of Community Services
Income Support
Persons with Disabilities
Regional Office 424-5074. There are district offices in many communities within Capital Health. The Regional Office will provide you with the phone number for the office closest to you.
Debtor Assistance Program
A program that offers counselling to those facing financial difficulties. Program staff can assist with preparing a budget and debt reduction plans. The program is offered by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and is available at no cost.
Call 424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357
Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada
Provides guidance to clients in solving debt problems through financial counselling, education, and debt repayment programs.
Call 1-888-753-2227
Private Services
There are a number of private companies that assist people to become debt free through debt consolidation, consumer proposal or bankruptcies. There is a charge for these services. To find a private company you may want to work with, check the yellow pages under Insolvency/ Trustees in Bankruptcy.
Housing
Provincial Government
Get information online about the many provincial programs that assist with housing issues.
Housing Services, Central Region 424-5110
Metropolitan Regional Housing Authority
Manages public housing units across HRM and, together with six other housing authorities across Nova Scotia, administers a rent supplement program.
Call 420-6000
Metro Non-Profit Housing
Provides safe, affordable housing in metro Halifax for single individuals who have experienced homelessness.
Call 466-8714
Dartmouth Non-Profit Housing Society
Assists families or individuals in acquiring more affordable housing.
Call 469-0543
YWCA Wish Housing Program
A program for women who have experienced homelessness.
Call 423-6162
Legal
Responds to the needs of women in prison, develops community services for women, publicizes issues of women and the law, lobbying for improved penal facilities for women and lobbies for changes in criminal justice.
Call 454-5041 or 1-877-619-1354
John Howard Society of Nova Scotia
Provides services to males in prison, develops community services and advocates people who have had contact with the criminal justice system in Canada.
Call 422-2640
Provides legal aid services to people who are not financially able to pay for legal advice or assistance.
Call 423-8105
Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Legal Aid may provide a lawyer to someone who could not otherwise afford one. To be eligible for the service, an applicant must be receiving Social Assistance Benefits or be in an equivalent financial position. It must also be determined that there is some merit in the case and that the applicant will receive some benefit if service is provided. Legal services are provided mainly in the areas of family and criminal law.
Call 420-3450
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Commission staff investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination.
Call 424-4111
A not-for-profit organization providing information and resources about the law.
Call 454-2198
Information and resources on Nova Scotia and Government of Canada labour standards and employment equity.
Call 424-4311
Dial-a-Law
A recording of legal information on a variety of topics.
Call 420-1888
Legal and settlement services for refugee claimants
Call 422-6736
Service Canada is where you will find information on many federal government programs, including, Employment Insurance Services, Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits, Universal Child Care Benefit, Temporary Resident Visa, Citizenship Program. Local Service Canada centres are located in Bedford, Dartmouth, Halifax, Sheet Harbour and Windsor.
Halifax Regional Municipality Online Resource Guide
HRM produces an online resource guide that provides contact information for many community and government resources in categories from health and employment services to tenants rights and immigrant services.
Other mental health resources:
Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building
The Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building
5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane
Halifax, NS B3H 2E2
Phone: (902) 473-2700
Find it on Google Maps
The Nova Scotia Hospital
300 Pleasant Street,
P.O. Box 1004
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3Z9
Phone: (902) 464-3111
Find it on Google Maps
Source: Living with Mental Illness: A Guide for Family and Friends. Halifax, NS: Capital District Health Authority; 2008
Other general mental health resources
Here to Help is a project of the British Columbia (BC) Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Informaiton. It was foudned in 2003 as a partnership of seven provincial non-profit mental health and addictions agencies. They work together to help individuals and families better manage mental health and substance use problems.
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is a national, not for profit, consumer driven, voluntary health charity committed to ensuring that the voice of consumers, family members and caregivers is heard on issues relating to mental health and mental illness and in particular with regard to depression, bipolar illness and other associated mood disorders.
Their mission: "to promote the prevention, treatment and management of anxiety disorders and to improve the lives of people who suffer from them."
CAMH is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.
What's missing? Send your suggestions for resources we should include to ourhealthyminds@cdha.nshealth.ca
Mental health services - general
A national organization that promotes mental health and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.
Halifax/Dartmouth Branch: 455-5445
An innovative health care cooperative that provides a variety of peer-based services to people living with mental illness and their families.
Call 404-3504
Aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy, and research.
Call 465-2601 or 1-800-465-2601
Promotes self-help groups throughout Nova Scotia.
Call 466-2011
A program of the Self Help Connection, the CIC engages people living with mental illness in activities and programs that enhance their ability to take control over and improve their health and well-being.
Call 404-7800
A peer support organization where youth between 16 and 30, who are living with mental illness, can embrace their unique gifts and find their way in a caring, supportive environment.
Call 425-9108
Dedicated to promoting healthy body image and self esteem and to supporting individuals who experience disordered eating.
Call 443-9944.
Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre
Provides structured, social-based programming for urban Aboriginal people. Programs range from adult learning to child care and needle exchange to employment. With its open door policy, the centre is a gathering place and the home of community functions and events.
Call 420-1576
Supports artists with disabilities and related challenges through a range of programs, including creative education and volunteer opportunities.
Call 446-6010
Promotes sexual and reproductive health within an environment respecting and supporting individual choice.
Call 455-9656
A walk-in health and counselling facility which offers a first exit from street life.
Call 420-0676
An on-line directory of family resource centres around the province
Provides practical supports to friends and family giving care. Services include workshops, newsletters focused on caregiving issues, a book and video lending library, telephone caregiver assistance and community-based peer support groups.
Call 1-877-488-7390
Federation acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse (FANE)
Offers support to its member associations and the broader Acadian community, representing and lobbying on behalf of its members, facilitating community dialogue and consultation, communications, research and development.
Call 433-0065
A not-for-profit health association that provides resources, conducts research and disseminates research findings to government agencies, institutions, and Black communities, with a long-term vision of seeking policy reform on health issues of African Canadians.
Call 405-4222
A community-based organization that welcomes newcomers and recognizes their essential role in Canada. Services include settlement support, employment programs, English courses, volunteer and community programs and business development and start-up.
Call 423-3607
Dedicated to the development of individuals and communities in spirit, mind and body. Offers a range of programs and services from recreation to employment.
Call 423-9709
Helps immigrants to Canada settle into their new homes in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The YMCA also helps the mainstream population understand the issues and barriers newcomers face while adjusting and adapting to a new language, culture, climate and community, while maintaining their own.
Call 457-9622
A provincial drug plan designed to help Nova Scotians with the cost of prescription drugs. The program offers protection against drug costs for families who have no drug coverage or if the cost of the prescription drugs becomes a financial burden to them.
Call 1-877-330-0323
West Hants Resource Line
Connects community members with local information, resources and support in the West Hants area.
Call 902-792-2272
Resources for crisis situations
Provides crisis support for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. It offers telephone crisis service 24/7 anywhere within the Capital Health District and mobile crisis response from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily to Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford. The Team includes mental health professionals and police officers that are designated to the crisis service.
Call 429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167
Nova Scotia Department of Community Services – Child Protection Services
The Nova Scotia Department of Community Services’ child protection services protects children under 16 years of age from abuse and/or neglect while making every effort to keep families together.
Call 424-4754 or 1-866-922-2434 (after hours)
Nova Scotia Department of Health - Continuing Care Adult Protection Services
The Department of Health offers help and support for people age 16 or older who are abused or neglected and who cannot physically or mentally protect or care for themselves.
Call 1-800-225-7225
Shelters for women
Adsum House
Offers shelter, food, clothing, advocacy and programs and support for youth, women and their children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Adsum operates three facilities that are dedicated to and responsive to the needs of their clients: an emergency shelter, second-stage housing and affordable supportive housing for women.
Crisis Line: 423-4443
Operated by Saint Leonard’s Society of Nova Scotia, Barry House is a 20 bed shelter for women 16 years-of-age and older - and their children - who are experiencing homelessness. Barry House operates with a harm reduction philosophy. They also try to provide shelter to women accessing shelter with their domestic pet.
Call 422-8324
A 24-bed shelter for abused women and their children.
Distress line: 429-9002
Shelters for men
A facility of Saint Leonard’s Society of Nova Scotia. Programs and services support people over 16 who are experiencing homelessness. Metro Turning Point Centre offers care from crisis back to community.
Call 420-3282
A charitable and religious organization providing a variety of community-based services to people in need.
Halifax Booth Centre services: 422-2362
Shelters for Men and Women
Culturally-sensitive safe houses that provide emergency shelter and counselling to individuals fleeing violence and, particularly, to members of minority communities who are not well served by the mainstream shelter system.
Call 454-5459
Youth Shelter
This 20 single-room facility provides homeless youth with short-term emergency housing, and offers an exit from street-life, for 15 male and five female residents.
Call 446-4663
Food
Facing a problem in life but not sure where to turn? Feed Nova Scotia is there to listen and to connect you with people and services that can help. they can offer help wtih issues such as family break up, parenting questions, grief, access to food and housing or any other issue.
In the Halifax area call 421-1188. In other areas of Nova Scotia, call toll-free 1-877-521-1188.
Feeding Others of Dartmouth
A member agency of Feed Nova Scotia. They provide a nutritous hot meal daily for adults aged 16 years and upwards, many of whom are either physically and/or mentally challenged; most are unemployed.
Call 464-2919
Provides a variety of essential services to individuals and families in need. Their services and programs include a food bank that operates three days a week, a furniture bank that provides furniture and household items free of charge, two retail locations where they sell new and used merchandise, and skills training in information technology and career development.
Call 425-2125
Hope Cottage
Provides meals to those who cannot afford to obtain these meals themselves. They are located at 2435 Brunswick Street in Halifax.
429-7968
Other resources
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre Crisis Line - 425-0122
Kid’s Help Phone (24-hour) - 1-800-668-6868
Parent Help Line (24-hour) - 1-888-603-9100
Youth Help Line (24-hour) - 420-8336
HealthLink 811 (24/7)
This is a 24/7 Telecare service that provides all Nova Scotians with access to a registered nurse who can provide health advice and health information. Dial 811 from any phone registered in the province.
For more information visit Capital Health online.
Employment
Offers workshops and programs for the general public in the areas of career planning, career transition and career management.
Call 491-3527
Lake City Employment Services
A not-for-profit association whose goal is to assist people living with mental illness to improve their quality of life by supporting them to gain independence through work.
Call 465-5000
Devoted to helping persons with disabilities become employed in Nova Scotia.
422-8900 (TTY: 420-0721)
Women’s Employment Outreach
Provides free employment services to women who are unemployed, nearing unemployment, on stress-related leave or looking for a career change.
Call 422-8023
Nova Scotia Career Development Association
Visit this web site for a list of many of the organizations throughout Nova Scotia that provide career services.
Financial
Department of Community Services
Income Support
Persons with Disabilities
Regional Office 424-5074. There are district offices in many communities within Capital Health. The Regional Office will provide you with the phone number for the office closest to you.
Debtor Assistance Program
A program that offers counselling to those facing financial difficulties. Program staff can assist with preparing a budget and debt reduction plans. The program is offered by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and is available at no cost.
Call 424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357
Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada
Provides guidance to clients in solving debt problems through financial counselling, education, and debt repayment programs.
Call 1-888-753-2227
Private Services
There are a number of private companies that assist people to become debt free through debt consolidation, consumer proposal or bankruptcies. There is a charge for these services. To find a private company you may want to work with, check the yellow pages under Insolvency/ Trustees in Bankruptcy.
Housing
Provincial Government
Get information online about the many provincial programs that assist with housing issues.
Housing Services, Central Region 424-5110
Metropolitan Regional Housing Authority
Manages public housing units across HRM and, together with six other housing authorities across Nova Scotia, administers a rent supplement program.
Call 420-6000
Metro Non-Profit Housing
Provides safe, affordable housing in metro Halifax for single individuals who have experienced homelessness.
Call 466-8714
Dartmouth Non-Profit Housing Society
Assists families or individuals in acquiring more affordable housing.
Call 469-0543
YWCA Wish Housing Program
A program for women who have experienced homelessness.
Call 423-6162
Legal
Responds to the needs of women in prison, develops community services for women, publicizes issues of women and the law, lobbying for improved penal facilities for women and lobbies for changes in criminal justice.
Call 454-5041 or 1-877-619-1354
John Howard Society of Nova Scotia
Provides services to males in prison, develops community services and advocates people who have had contact with the criminal justice system in Canada.
Call 422-2640
Provides legal aid services to people who are not financially able to pay for legal advice or assistance.
Call 423-8105
Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Legal Aid may provide a lawyer to someone who could not otherwise afford one. To be eligible for the service, an applicant must be receiving Social Assistance Benefits or be in an equivalent financial position. It must also be determined that there is some merit in the case and that the applicant will receive some benefit if service is provided. Legal services are provided mainly in the areas of family and criminal law.
Call 420-3450
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Commission staff investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination.
Call 424-4111
A not-for-profit organization providing information and resources about the law.
Call 454-2198
Information and resources on Nova Scotia and Government of Canada labour standards and employment equity.
Call 424-4311
Dial-a-Law
A recording of legal information on a variety of topics.
Call 420-1888
Legal and settlement services for refugee claimants
Call 422-6736
Service Canada is where you will find information on many federal government programs, including, Employment Insurance Services, Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits, Universal Child Care Benefit, Temporary Resident Visa, Citizenship Program. Local Service Canada centres are located in Bedford, Dartmouth, Halifax, Sheet Harbour and Windsor.
Halifax Regional Municipality Online Resource Guide
HRM produces an online resource guide that provides contact information for many community and government resources in categories from health and employment services to tenants rights and immigrant services.
Other mental health resources:
Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building
The Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building
5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane
Halifax, NS B3H 2E2
Phone: (902) 473-2700
Find it on Google Maps
The Nova Scotia Hospital
300 Pleasant Street,
P.O. Box 1004
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3Z9
Phone: (902) 464-3111
Find it on Google Maps
Source: Living with Mental Illness: A Guide for Family and Friends. Halifax, NS: Capital District Health Authority; 2008
Other general mental health resources
Here to Help is a project of the British Columbia (BC) Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Informaiton. It was foudned in 2003 as a partnership of seven provincial non-profit mental health and addictions agencies. They work together to help individuals and families better manage mental health and substance use problems.
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is a national, not for profit, consumer driven, voluntary health charity committed to ensuring that the voice of consumers, family members and caregivers is heard on issues relating to mental health and mental illness and in particular with regard to depression, bipolar illness and other associated mood disorders.
Their mission: "to promote the prevention, treatment and management of anxiety disorders and to improve the lives of people who suffer from them."
CAMH is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.
What's missing? Send your suggestions for resources we should include to ourhealthyminds@cdha.nshealth.ca