This is not a referral site.
If you are in crisis or looking for support, you can:
Call the Mental Health Crisis line 1 888 429 8167
Visit the NSHA Mental Health and Addictions site
Call the Mental Health and Addictions Intake line
1-855-922-1122
Real people Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Voicemail evenings, weekends, and holidays.
NS Peer Support
Phone Service
1-800-307-1686
toll-free, non-crisis, available to all Nova Scotians 18 years of age or older.
A Commitment Made
The 2012 Mental Health and Addictions Strategy: Together We Can, reinforced the powerful impact peer support can have on a person’s recovery. The Nova Scotia Health Authority, and the IWK have moved forward with the expansion of mental health peer support at inpatient sites across the province.
Definitions
A Peer Supporter is someone who uses their lived experience with mental health (either personally, or through supporting a loved one) to inspire hope and empower others in similar situations by providing social and emotional support.
Peer Support is connecting with another person who has lived experience of their own and can relate to what you are going through—this could be a divorce, a sick child, a difficult call, the list goes on. Social support is the proven foundation for success for people to find their path to health and wellness. Peer support is not a replacement for professional medical or clinical care.
The Model
Delivering peer support in Nova Scotia is based on a transition-focused model which is supported by evidence-based research, and validated in other Canadian healthcare settings. It draws a straight line from clinical inpatient sites, back into the community through the discharge process. The direct costs for provision of peer support can be offset by decreased (re)admission rates, and shortened hospital stays.
Our Employees
Peer Support Nova Scotia employs peer supporters across the province with a dual focus:
As a Peer Supporter, they directly support peers (clients) receiving NSHA mental healthcare services.
As a Peer Support Coordinator, they look develop working relationships with community organizations to assist peers in transition after discharge.
Download our two-pager overview here
For the Community
Virtual Peer Support Training
Designed for individuals who are interested in using their lived experience with mental health and/or addictions to provide emotional and social support to others on their own recovery journey.
Course schedules and complete registration details are available here.
Community of Practice
A safe space for peer supporters to build connections and develop skills.
Our goal is to share experiences, resources, normalize challenges, and increase the capacity of peer support in Canada. This is a wonderful opportunity for professional development and relationship building that we hope you feel compelled to join.
Click here to register for an upcoming session.
For more information about upcoming dates and how to register see our Facebook page.