**** NSHA Media Release
Virtual mental health support platform partnership extended
Nova Scotians will be able to continue to use an online mental health support tool free of charge.
Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program, in partnership with the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, the Department of Advanced Education, and IWK Health, has extended its contract with Togetherall, an online mental health support platform.
More than 18,000 Nova Scotians 16 and older have accessed Togetherall since the service launched in April 2022. The platform is a safe and anonymous online peer-to-peer community moderated by licensed clinicians. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Togetherall members have access to resources including wellness courses, and can share their thoughts and experiences by writing community posts, supporting others’ stories, or creating art.
“The need for mental health support can come at any time of day,” said Brian Comer, minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health. “Togetherall provides an online community that Nova Scotians can reach out to any time and from almost anywhere. By extending this agreement, we’re able to ensure Togetherall will continue to be available to Nova Scotians — one of several new services and supports we’ve put in place over the last two years.”
Nova Scotians 16 and older can access Togetherall by visiting https://togetherall.
“Students told us that having access to mental health support services was key to helping them manage and overcome mental health challenges while they were attending school and during this transitional time in their life,” said Brian Wong, Minister for Advanced Education. “Students deserve timely, reliable mental health services, and we’re committed to helping people provide them with targeted e-mental health support.”
“I was surprised that there were people experiencing similar things to me. It validated my experiences and made me feel that I wasn’t alone,” said one Togetherall user, who wished to remain anonymous.
Togetherall is an evidence-based service that has proven to help Nova Scotians take control of their mental health, get support, and feel better. The service is for anyone struggling with every day life stressors and/or mental health challenges, and looking for additional online support/resources.
“We’re delighted to extend our contract with Togetherall and continue to offer it within our suite of e-Mental Health and Addictions services,” said Dana Pulsifer, senior director of Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. “We have heard positive feedback from Nova Scotians using the platform, and we are happy that people will continue to benefit from a peer support and online community to help them face challenges together.”
“We are always looking for ways to use technology to enhance mental health supports available to youth,” said Maureen Brennan, director of IWK Health Mental Health and Addictions Program. “We are happy to be working with Nova Scotia Health to continue to offer Togetherall to Nova Scotians.”
The platform includes discussion topics focused on student life, health care workers, parents and caregivers, the military community, work-life balance, and health and lifestyle tips.
Togetherall is featured at MHAhelpNS under the ‘online tools’ tab, along with many other free programs, apps, and resources promoting mental health and addictions recovery.
To learn more about Togetherall, visit: https://togetherall.
Other resources:
Nova Scotians can call the Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service Line (toll-free) 1-855-922-1122 to be connected to a clinician Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or someone concerned about them. Call (toll-free) 1-888-429-8167.
Visit the Mental Health and Addictions Program website, http://MHAhelpNS.ca, to learn more about our services, resources, and tools.
