**** CNS Media Release
Mental Health Day Focuses on Providing Supports
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Monday, October 10, is World Mental Health Day, a day for Nova Scotians to reflect on their own mental health and the mental health of others.
“World Mental Health Day is an important time to raise awareness and have meaningful conversations, but we also need to continue to talk about and take care of our mental health throughout the year,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health. “We only need to look to the continued aftermath of hurricane Fiona to know life events can increase our stress and anxiety and challenge our ability to cope. I want Nova Scotians to know that it’s OK to ask for help when they need it.”
Here are some resources available to Nova Scotians:
Nova Scotia provincial mental health crisis line: 1-888-429-8167
— for people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis and those concerned about someone who is
— the line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mental health and addictions services intake line: 1-855-922-1122
— for people who need help with a mental health or addiction concern
— people do not need a doctor’s or counsellor’s referral to call
— callers speak with a trained clinician who can direct or connect them with the care they need.
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
— also available by texting CONNECT to 686868 or visiting https://kidshelpphone.ca
— for young people under age 20 who are looking for mental health support.
There are also several e-mental health tools available at: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en
The government is working to make sure all Nova Scotians get the help they need. Over the past year, new recovery support centres have opened in Dartmouth, Middleton and New Glasgow, and the province’s first acute mental health day hospital opened at the QE II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.
Additional Resources:
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
Action for Health, the government’s strategic plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/
