People in Cumberland, Colchester and Hants counties will be able to get an update from May 4 on new community supports available following recommendations from the Mass Injuries Commission.
Mobile clinic hours and locations, community health and wellness supports and how to provide feedback to the engagement team are available at https://novascotia.ca/community-support/.
“We are committed to providing immediate mental health and bereavement support to communities affected by the tragedy in Portapeak three years ago last week, and to working with them to design and deliver programs and services that meet their unique needs. Long-term,” said Addictions and Mental Health Minister Brian Comer. We’ve made progress every week, and as our team continues to listen to community needs and gather feedback, we’re bringing in new people and connecting more services and supports every day.”
A mobile classroom staffed by a clinical team offering a variety of health and wellness services will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 1 to 4 pm at West Colchester Consolidated School, 27 Maple Ave. Bass River (this location has since changed) is available. Weekly News Release).
A mobile health and safety team can provide:
- Primary care reviews, support and navigation
- Prescription refills or refills (except controlled substances)
- Going to grief and grief resources
- Mental health and wellness services, such as brief intervention and navigation to other resources, including ongoing mental health and addiction supports.
A community engagement team will be at West Colchester Consolidated School on Saturday afternoon to gather feedback and hear directly from the community about their needs. This information will help inform programs and services available in the long term. Community members are invited to participate in the talks starting at 1:30 p.m
A schedule of dates, times and community locations in Cumberland, Colchester and Hants counties will be updated on the website as the service expands.
In addition to the website, community members can call 211 to connect with available resources and support.
A new dedicated staff member based in Truro started on Monday, May 1 and will be supported by clinical and engagement staff across northern Nova Scotia. Recruitment is underway for the following posts.
- Mental health and addiction clinical therapists
- Mental health and addictions community service worker
- Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers and Emotional Wellbeing Counsellors/Counselors.
The Mass Casualty Commission has recommended that the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia commit to a program by May 1 to jointly support unmet mental health needs, grief and bereavement support in affected communities.
To continue this work, the state and federal governments have taken 18 million dollars in two years. The province contributed $9 million, and the federal government committed the first $9 million.
Additional Resources:
Vacancies at Nova Scotia Health: https://jobs.nshealth.ca/nsha/
Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167 (toll free); It works 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people who have mental health problems or are worried about someone else.
For non-problem support, Nova Scotians can self-refer to Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program by calling the Access Line at 1-855-922-1122 (toll-free) to meet with a therapist, Monday through Friday. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday afternoon to 8 p.m.
More information about Nova Scotia Health’s mental health and addiction services, resources and tools is available at: https://mha.nshealth.ca/en
More information about IWK Health’s mental health and addiction services, resources and tools is available at: https://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/mental-health
Turning the Tide Together – Final Report of the Mass Injuries Commission, Volume 4, Society: https://masscasualtycommission.ca/files/documents/Turning-the-Tide-Together-Volume-4-Community.pdf
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