Health Professionals / Mental Health Services
The Bloom Program - a community pharmacy initiative designed to increase and improve mental health and addictions care for Nova Scotians. Anyone with a Nova Scotia Health card who has one or more mental health or addiction diagnoses AND a medication problem that they would like to work on with their pharmacist can participate in this program. There is no cost to you to participate, there is no waitlist, you will receive one-on-one care and patient advocacy from your pharmacist, you will receive access to and information about community mental health and addiction resources, and you will receive help managing medication-related issues. Check to see if there is a participating pharmacy location near you: https://bloomprogram.ca/pharmacies/.
Couch of Hope - provide FREE mental health counseling to individuals, including children ten years of age and up, teens, and adults. They meet with clients in person, via phone, and via video. This flexible delivery opens their services to clients who cannot attend in person due to geography, caregiving responsibilities, work schedules, disability, illness, a lack of reliable or affordable transportation, or personal preference. Call them at 902.707.4414 or email them at intake@couchofhope.com to learn more.
Diabetes NS - Nova Scotia Health has launched a new website to help people living with Type 2 diabetes. This new website has five modules to provide Nova Scotians with standardized information about living well with diabetes. Modules include: learning about diabetes, tips for managing diabetes, getting help, finding a diabetes care and education program, and other wellness programs and resources. If a person cannot access the modules online, they can contact their nearest Nova Scotia Health Diabetes Education Centre and make arrangements to obtain the materials.
Flourish Occupational Therapy - Maddie is a private, community-based occupational therapist. She has years of experience working with individuals who live in both independent and supported environments. She is dedicated and passionate about supporting individuals to live safely and happily in their homes and recognizes the major impact caregivers have on the quality of life of the individuals they support. Maddie specializes in home safety assessments as well as caregiver education. She is committed to providing accessible and equitable services to all Nova Scotians and offers discounted hourly wages for those facing financial barriers. Maddie offers services across Nova Scotia. Visit www.flourishoccupationaltherapy.com or call Maddie directly at 902.402.4209 for more information.
Good Grief Halifax - offer counselling services to residents of Nova Scotia. Sessions are conducted by Registered Counselling Therapist Tara Field.
Healing the Loss Grief Support - Hilary offers compassionate and understanding support in a safe, confidential environment in person or online. You are able to share your loss with someone who has extensive lived experience with many kinds of loss and who "gets it." She may be able to offer a sliding scale to those who cannot afford her services at full cost. She also has a Pay it Forward Program. Learn more about how Hilary can help you through your grief and loss on her website here.
Hospice Halifax has compiled a list of counseling services available in NS. They note when sessions can be provided for free or at a reduced cost.
Live Well Physiotherapy - private in-home and virtual physiotherapy and occupational therapy for elders in Lunenburg County & Queens County. Our clinicians have 10+ years of experience serving elders and strive to provide the best healthcare experience you've ever had. They can help with rehab from an injury, surgery, fractures, heart disease, cancer, stroke, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, amputation, concussions, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, vertigo, incontinence, and other health challenges. They make equipment recommendations, provide fall risk and home safety assessments, design personalized exercise programs, and offer caregiver and family education. Contact them at 902.877.6608 or info@livewellphysiotherapy.com for more information.
March of Dimes - After Stroke Program provides stroke survivors and their families with personalized stroke recovery and support services. They provide person-to-person support, educational opportunities, and innovative community-based programs to address the needs and concerns of the stroke survivor and their family, from the time spent in the hospital and throughout the transition home and back into the community. Services include peer support, goal setting and planning, coordination and navigation, stroke-focused education and training. March of Dimes also offers online peer support programs for stroke survivors and caregivers, a family caregiver webinar series, and an aphasia peer connect program. Contact Beth Lynch, the After Stroke Coordinator, at 902-219-0970 or at blynch@marchofdimes.ca for more information.
Mental Health and Addictions - a website where Nova Scotians can access mental health and addictions support. Explore information, resources, and connect with help 24/7. They also have a helpful reference tool for online help.
NovaHope Cancer Coach Nurse - a Cancer Coach Nurse helps you and your family move forward beyond the cancer experience, into a place where you can feel more at ease. The Cancer Coach Nurse offers expertise as an oncology nurse with additional education in psychosocial oncology and health coaching. She also offers the opportunity for you to explore complementary support therapies. In-person appointments in 3 locations - Halifax, Annapolis Royal, Wolfville, home visits, and online. Contact 902.670.4673 or info@NovaHope.ca
PACE Wellness - Evelena Beaton is a registered dietician who has worked in long-term care for 17 years. She now has a private practice with a focus on seniors' nutrition, offering nutritional counseling and chair yoga for seniors. She is able to counsel clients virtually in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland & Labrador. Contact her at 902.802.9944 or info@evelenabeaton.com for more information.
Peer Support Phone Service - Peer Support Nova Scotia offers a toll-free non-crisis line that is open to Nova Scotians aged 18+ who are struggling in some areas of their lives. Trained peer supporters with lived experience of mental health struggles, substance use, or other life challenges are available to listen and support people who call in with non-urgent issues. The line is open Wednesday to Friday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. The toll-free number is 1.800.307.1686.
Roy Ellis - Roy is a therapist who provides grief and trauma counseling. He is a Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner (CSCP) with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. He provides in-person therapy sessions in Halifax and Dartmouth and virtual sessions via Zoom. He charges $150/hour (HST included). Contact Roy at 902.830.5225 or roy@royfellis.com.
Thoughtful Changes - a non-profit organization that offers affordable, quickly-accessible counseling services for individuals in Nova Scotia who have financial barriers to accessing mental health supports. Services are provided online by Registered Counselling Therapists or Social Workers who have a Master's degree. Email them at info@thoughtfulchanges.org or call them at 902.932.7122 to find out more.
Thrive Occupational Therapy - provides occupational therapy to older adults in HRM, as well as parts of the Western and Northern zones. They help with in-home assessments for safety and falls prevention. They can recommend strategies, equipment, and/or adaptations to keep older adults and their caregivers safe at home while maintaining their independence. Additional costs apply for travel. Call 902.943.2621 or email thriveOTNS@outlook.com for more information.
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