News release

Mental Health Support Always Available, Op-ed

Office of Addictions and Mental Health

NOTE: The following is an op-ed from Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health.


Nearly two years ago, our province experienced a horrific event.

When the news broke, disbelief and heartbreak were felt in every home and community across the province. This soon spread to include homes across the country and around the globe.

To this day, we grapple with the impacts, and we continue to mourn the loss of those who were senselessly killed.

We came together in this time of grief. We reached out to families, friends and neighbours in support and in an effort to try and make sense of what had happened.

Today, February 22, the Mass Casualty Commission begins a series of public hearings. The hearings are part of an inquiry to find answers about what happened and why it happened. These hearings will feature testimony from numerous witnesses who will speak to the horrific events.

At times, what we hear will be sad or disturbing. Everyone will process what they’re hearing in different ways. Feelings of sadness, anxiety and fear are normal and are to be expected. But you don’t have to process these feelings on your own. I want you to know you are not alone.

If you just need to talk to someone or if you need help, there are places to go and people to listen any time, day or night.

211 Nova Scotia has community support navigators standing by 24/7 and can connect you with someone who can help.

Additional services and community resources can be found at: https://novascotia.ca/mental-health-and-wellbeing/

I encourage you to make use of these resources, whether for yourself or to navigate how to help someone else.

Please keep yourself well and, as you have done before, check in on your family, friends and neighbours. Please be kind to one another.

To the families and communities who lost loved ones, your province continues to support you in your journey to healing.