Mental Health, Addictions Phone Line Open on Holidays

Starting Good Friday, April 7, the Province’s mental health and addictions phone line will be open on weekday holidays.

This will better support Nova Scotians who use this line to connect with non-crisis services.

“People’s mental health challenges don’t take holidays,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health. “We need to be there for Nova Scotians when and where they need us. Increasing access to this line is one of many ways we’re working to better meet the mental health needs of Nova Scotians.”

The line serves as a central point of intake for all Nova Scotians looking to connect with mental health and addiction supports, either for themselves or someone they are concerned about.

People who need care or help finding available supports can call 1-855-922-1122 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Tuesdays, the line is open until 8 p.m. The Province plans to expand the hours later this year.

Callers receive an assessment by a health professional who matches them with the right level of care. This could be a program provided by a community organization, an appointment with an IWK Health Centre or Nova Scotia Health professional, or another type of support.

Adding hours at the mental health and addictions intake line is one of many actions the government has taken to expand care for Nova Scotians. The government recently launched a peer support line, single session therapy and an online coaching program that Nova Scotians can use, without a referral, to help them manage mild to moderate mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues and job loss.

Budget 2023-24 includes funding to expand acute mental health day hospitals and recovery support centres. This will help people with more intensive needs.

Expanding access to mental health and addiction supports is part of Action for Health, the Province’s plan to improve healthcare.

Quotes:

“It can be difficult and overwhelming to ask for support for mental health and addictions issues. Most people struggle with knowing where to start. Intake is a service that allows Nova Scotians to speak directly with a trained clinician who can work to understand their specific concerns and help connect them with the most appropriate care.”

– Michelle MacRae, patient access navigator, Mental Health and Addictions Program, Nova Scotia Health

“The Province’s mental health and addictions intake service is most often the first connection people have to mental health and addictions services. By making the service more available to people, we’re better able to meet them where they are and in their time of need.”

– Mary Pyche, Provincial Manager, Intake Service, Mental Health and Addictions Program, Nova Scotia Health

Quick Facts:

• the mental health and addictions intake line was launched in 2019
• more than 82,000 calls were made to the intake line last year
• the line is staffed by health professionals including nurses and social workers
• people who are in a mental health or addictions crisis should call the crisis line at 1-888-429-8167 or 911

Additional Resources:

Nova Scotia Health’s mental health and addictions program: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en

Office of Addictions and Mental Health: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/addictions-and-mental-health

Action for Health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

Mandate letter for the Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-CNS-AMH-Youth.pdf