News release

Mental Health, Addictions Services Continue to Expand

Health and Wellness

More community support is driving the success of the province's mental health and addictions strategy, which is now in its fourth year.

Most of the 33 actions in the Together We Can strategy have been completed or are significantly underway.

Carrie Lee, a Cumberland County mother who lives with mental illness, now helps others through the peer support program. It is one of the 33 actions identified as part of the strategy, designed to help people in their communities.

"I was once told I'd never work again. That was harsh for me, because I'd worked my entire life. But I knew I wanted more, and I found people to support me," said Ms. Lee. She visits food banks, restorative justice programs and other locations as part of her work in the peer support program.

"There are some pretty amazing individuals, and they just need a little support in getting through a rough patch. I think they have everything they need, they just need validation and support."

The strategy is focused on improving access to assessment, treatment, care and support for Nova Scotians in communities across the province. Priority areas include reducing waits and improving care, especially for diverse communities.

"Every day, people are getting the care and support they need to live with addictions and mental illness because of the incredible efforts of family, community, treatment programs and peers," said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine.

Some improvements to date include:

  • Doubling the number of families receiving support for children with anxiety or behavioral issues through expanded telephone coaching
  • Adding 20 mental health clinicians in schools as part of the expansion of SchoolsPlus, which serves over 40,000 students in all school boards across the province
  • Reducing, almost by half, the waits for non-urgent mental health care for adults
  • Adding 34 more gay-straight alliances in schools in the past two years
  • Training up to 50 family doctors to support patients with mild to moderate mental health issues
  • Funding 37 organizations over three years to provide projects and support in the community
  • Launching the Gambling Support Network in March, with online and mobile options, and an awareness campaign to promote it
  • Nearly doubling the number of methadone treatment spots, from 75 to 145, and training nearly 200 more physicians in opioid replacement treatment

The province has increased investment in mental health and addictions over the last two years to more than $270 million in 2015.

The strategy and latest progress report can be found at novascotia.ca/dhw/ .