Second Story Women's Centre supports women and gender-diverse people, provides
safer spaces, and advocates for social change. 

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

​Here are some free resources and supports that we have found that could be of some help to you or someone you love:
 
Mental Health and Substance Use Support:

• Thrive Mental Health Walk-in Clinic - Available every Tuesday 3-8 pm at the Our Health Centre in Chester. One free session with a councillor to discuss coping strategies and refer to other services. No follow up appointment, no prescribing or distribution of medication and not suitable for mental health crises. To book an appointment call 1-902-273-2283 starting at 2 pm every Tuesday.
• Wellness Together Canada - Access free, live counselling for adults or youth via phone or text, as well as lots of other information and resources. Wellness Together Canada was created in response to an unprecedented rise in mental health and substance use concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with funding from the Government of Canada. It's available at wellnesstogether.ca.

Free Counselling - Gendered Violence: (Physical/mental/verbal/sexual abuse or violence, stalking, etc...)

• Harbour House - Free counselling, either in-person or over the phone for people who have experienced gendered violence. Their waitlist is very short because it is not as well known that HH offers that service in addition to being a transition house. You do not need to have used their transition house services to access their free counselling. 902.543.9970 or [email protected] 

Free Counselling - 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth (under 25):

• The Youth Project NS - "The Youth Project provides supportive counselling for youth who want to talk to someone about sexual orientation or gender identity. Our support coordinator is available to listen, provide information and help youth get more support. We can provide support to families as well. If you want to get some questions answered, are experiencing harassment, are confused about who you are, are coming out, need help, or just want to talk, we are here. Our support worker can also help you get connected to other safe and supportive resources in your community.Call and make an appointment to talk to someone. We can come to your school or community and meet with you there if you can’t make it to us. We can also use Skype to chat for those of you who are far away. All you need to do is contact us by phone or e-mail." For more information, visit the Youth Project website.

Grief:

• Free Bereavement Counselling from Halifax Hospice - Either because you've lost someone recently, you're still holding unprocessed grief from a previous loss or because the pandemic has brought up tough feelings from a loss that you thought you had already processed, we're hearing from a lot of people who are grieving right now. The Halifax Hospice is offering up to four (4) free one-on-one grief counselling sessions. These sessions are open to anyone living in Nova Scotia who is over 18. Phone & online video-link options are available, as well as in-person sessions (if vaccinated). No prior connection to Hospice Halifax is necessary. People who are experiencing "anticipatory grief" for a loved one who is terminal are also welcome to take advantage of these sessions. To self-refer, call 902-446-0929 to complete a short intake between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. More info about this and other bereavement support options from Halifax Hospice are available on their website.
• South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society - The SSHPCS often has programming that supports folks who are experiencing grief. Visit their website for more information about their offerings.
• Bereavement Support Group, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg - Although this support group is held at a church, it is NOT a faith-based group. Tom is not only the Minister at St. Andrew's, but he was also a hospice chaplain in Philadelphia for 12 years, as well as a chaplain of a large, inter-faith retirement community there. He has also taught a course on Death and Dying for college students preparing for health care professions for 20 years. The group meets every Wednesday at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew's in Lunenburg, 111 Townsend Street.

Independent Legal Advice:

• Program for Adult Survivors of Sexual Assault NS - Supports survivors by providing up to 4 hours of free advice from a lawyer. Call 211 NS to complete an intake, you do not need to give details during the intake, just tell them you have been sexually assaulted.  The lawyer can then help you determine your legal options.

Peer Support (Support Groups or one-on-one):

• Healthy Minds Cooperative - Canada’s only charitable, non-profit, mental health organization.  Based in HRM, but with services available virtually to all Nova Scotians, HMC is peer-led and member-driven, committed to improving the lives of people with mental health challenges (including addiction) through peer-based supports. Check out www.healthyminds.ca for their calendar of support groups and programming.
• Peer Support NS - "Connect with peers with similar lived experience in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. Peer supporters use their lived experience with mental health to inspire hope and empower others in similar situations by providing social and emotional support. Our peer supporters often support peers in connecting with community organizations and transitioning into their own sustainable social and emotional supports as they move forward in their recovery journey." Check their Facebook for details and to register, but currently virtual peer support groups meeting Mondays (2-3:30 pm) and Thursdays (7-8:30 pm). 
• S.O.A.R. - Survivors of Abuse Recovering is a community-based peer support service for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Nova Scotia, Canada. All genders are welcome.  Visit their website for more information, or to obtain a peer supporter, call 902-679-PEER (7337) / toll free: 1-877-679-SOAR (7627) or email  [email protected].
• Adult ADHD Support Group (Eastern Canada) - "If you live in Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island, you can join this group which will run Virtually on Zoom on Monday nights from 7:30 pm-9:00 pm AST, according to the schedule offered.  Sessions will allow you to share your story or strategies, learn new information and best of all do it with others who understand what it means to be an adult with ADHD." For more information, please visit the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada's website.
• The Adult Autism Social-Ish Club is a peer-led group that brings together adults, ages 19+ who would like to meet and connect with autistic peers/peers with autism. Club meets at the Desbrisay Museum in Bridgewater. RSVP to Michael at [email protected] or phone Lisa at 902-541-9061 or go to their (frequently updated) FB page @SouthShoreAutismNS (where they also have details of other programming they put on, such as yoga...)
• Coming Out Late - A new support group from South Shore Sexual Health for folks who are, or have, come out as 2SLGBTQ+ later in life (e.g. thirtyish and up) or are questioning. Confidential, non-judgmental, no registration necessary. Held bi-weekly at SSSH's office (109 Logan Road in Bridgewater, Unit 1B out back). 6:30 pm start time, everyone (all genders and orientations) / new folks welcome, snacks provided. 
• NS Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support Line - 1-800-307-1686. Please note, this is not a 24/7 service. The line is open from Wednesday to Friday - 5pm to 11pm AT, Saturdays and Sundays - 11am to 11pm AT, and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It is also not intended to be a crisis service, the NS Mental Health and Addictions Crisis line should be used instead. The service is intended for individuals who feel isolated, alone, anxious, concerned, or who need support and to talk to someone. Reasons for calling can be anything from having a tough day at work, feeling down, struggling with supporting a loved one, going through a rough patch in a relationship and so on. Click here for more info about this new service.

Eating Disorders:

• Eating Disorders NS - Support groups, programming, counselling (not free but bursaries are available), nutrition counselling (not free) and more. Visit eatingdisordersns.ca for more details.

Employment:

• CMHA At Work Program - The At Work program connects Nova Scotians living with a mental illness, mental health challenges or substance use disorder who are unemployed or under-employed to workplaces that match their strengths, skills, and needs as a way to build resilience and bring experienced employees to workplaces. This free program is available to any Nova Scotian over the age of sixteen who is legally entitled to work in Canada, resides in Nova Scotia, unemployed or underemployed, lives with a mental illness, mental health challenge or substance use disorder (no diagnosis required). For more information about the At Work program, visit the CMHA website.
• YWCA ReLaunch Program - ReLaunch is an employment program for women and gender-diverse individuals above the age of 30 who are facing significant barriers to employment. The program includes a 9-week PAID employment skills development group program, and an 8-week PAID work placement in the participant’s field of interest. This program is intended for woman/gender diverse individuals, over the age of 30, currently not in school, unemployed or underemployed, and able to attend programming for 30 hours a week.  For more info, visit the YWCA ReLaunch website.

Pre/Post Natal Support:

• Prenatal Education Sessions - Offered virtually during Covid-19 by the South Shore Family Resource Centre 
• Online Postpartum Support Group - Organized by Dal researchers and available to parents and guardians of children 0-12 months in NS. Email [email protected] for more information.
• Postpartum Support International - Lots of resources on the PSI website and 20+ online support groups, ranging from pregnancy loss, medical terminations, giving up a child for adoption, LGBTQ support, black moms, infertility and more.

Menopause:

• Menopeer - Menopeer Canada's mission is to empower and increase women's well-being during menopause by training and supporting menopeers. Their vision is to create a vibrant community of menopeers to learn from and be inspired by.  Menopeer aims to offer a safe space to share the menopause journey, an understanding of another’s situation empathically through the shared experience, and emotional support during this life change. Visit their website to learn more about becoming a Menopeer peer supporter or to receive support.

Adults with Anxiety:

• Adult ICAN (Conquer Anxiety and Nervousness) program - Ages 18+. "This free program is designed to help you learn skills to control, face and deal with your anxiety. You will learn skills to use daily, to help you overcome your anxiety and deal with major life stressors."  More information at https://strongestfamilies.com/ican/. Please note, to enroll in this program, visit https://wellnesstogether.ca
• Mindshift app - "MindShift® CBT uses scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety. A new feature, the Community forum, now enables you to find and offer peer-to-peer support. Get the tools to tackle: Worry, Panic, Perfectionism, Social Anxiety, Phobias." The app is free on Google Play and the Apple App store , and more information about Mindshift is available on their website.

Mental Health Support for Post-Secondary Students:

• Healthy Minds NS​ - HealthyMindsNS is a suite of online mental health resources, available free to post-secondary students, to complement the mental health supports and services available on campuses. healthymindsns.ca

Living with a Chronic Illness:

• Your Way to Wellness - A 7-week workshop offered online by NS Health that helps adults with ongoing health conditions (and their caregivers) take action and live a healthier life. (Please note, depression is specifically mentioned as one of the chronic conditions that someone might have who would find this program helpful) Program participants will learn how to set goals and problem solve, improve communication with health care providers, family and friends, eat healthier and become more active, manage symptoms, make daily tasks easier, improve self-confidence, and manage fear, anger and frustration. For more information or to sign up, visit yourwaytowellness.ca. 

Supports for Kids and Families

• Strongest Families Institute - Not only offers a free program for adults with anxiety mentioned above, they also offer two programs for children and their parents.

1. Parents Empowering Kids - Ages 3-12.  "Helps caregivers learn to deal with common childhood behaviour problems such as temper outbursts, not listening, verbal and physical aggression and difficulties paying attention."  strongestfamilies.com/parents-empowering-kids for more information. To sign up for this program, call 211.
2. Defeat Anxiety - Ages 12-17. "Learn skills to overcome, control and gradually face anxiety." strongestfamilies.com/defeat-anxiety for more information. To sign up for this program, call 211.

 

• SOS Families - This organization is based in Halifax, but during the pandemic, their 'Positive Parenting' support group for parents is virtual at the moment.  It has a short waitlist, but can be accessed by people outside of the HRM. For more information: familysos.ca/programs
• Parenting/Caregiver 101 - The IWK holds regular sessions covering topics such as behaviour, toileting and mealtime. These sessions are free and available online, no need to travel. Learn more and register at healthyns.ca.
• IWK Mental Health - The IWK has regular programming that covers children's mental health, how to identify anxiety in your child, social and emotional skills, behaviour problems, communicating with teens and more. These sessions are free and available online. Learn more and register at healthyns.ca.

​
Loneliness / Isolation:

• Caring Calls South Shore Public Library - "We’ll call to say hi, see how you’re doing, we can refer you to services in your community. We mostly find that people are really happy to have a chat and enjoy getting a call from the library. Get in touch: 902-543-2548 or [email protected]"
• Red Cross Telephone Assurance - "If you or a loved one is feeling isolated or lonely due to COVID-19, contact us at 1-833-729-0144 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Atlantic time to register."
• The Warm Line - "Are you feeling lonely, isolated, anxious, depressed or in need of a friendly ear. Chat online, text or call a Warm Line peer support worker. Available Nationally Between 3pm-7pm (EST?), Call 1-888-768-2488"

Healthy Aging/Seniors:

• Flourish Centre - Located in Bridgewater in the old Ben's Bread location next to the Farmers Co-op. Tonnes of programming for 55+, a very welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Check out their monthly schedule at flourishcentre.ca or on their Facebook page.​

Support for Caregivers

• Caregivers NS - "At Caregivers Nova Scotia, we're focused on empowering caregivers, supporting their efforts, and recognizing the invaluable contribution they make both to those in need and to society in general.  We do this through programs, support groups, advocacy, and services all geared toward the unique needs of friends and family giving care.We are here to help in every way we can.  Whether you require some information, would like to talk to someone on the phone, or attend one of our peer support groups, please contact us and we'll be there for you." More information at caregiversns.org.

Dealing with Stress / Food and Nutrition / Moving Your Body:

• NS Health Free Virtual Health and Wellness Programs​ - NS Health is offering a wide range of online programming that can be accessed by anyone with a valid NS health card. Lots of great offerings here. Check out their current program guide.

​Misc:

• South Shore Public Library Programming - For kids and adults, there is usually lots on the go with plenty of programming that encourages creativity and connection with others. Check out their latest program guide for Fall 2022.
• 211 - 211 is staffed 24/7 and has information about even more programs and services. 211 also has a Women's Help Line that Women and individuals who identify as women over the age of 18 can access 24/7, who have concerns about their well-being, safety, and/or the safety of others. There is also an All-Genders Help Line for everyone, including non-binary and trans individuals, that 211 can connect you with if you have concerns about your well-being, safety, and/or the safety of others.

Apps:

• The Lifeline App - "The LifeLine App is the National free Suicide Prevention and Awareness App that offers access and guidance to support for those suffering in crisis and those who have suffered the devastating loss of a loved one from suicide. The LifeLine App also provides awareness education and prevention strategies to guide people in crisis all across the Globe." The Lifeline App is free and made available by the Lifeline Foundation Canada.

If you know of another free wellness resource, support, counselling offering or programming that is available right now to Nova Scotians, please let us know!

After Hours Support Lines

• Emergency Services - 911​
• 24/7 Community Resource Directory - 211
• 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line - 1-888-429-8167​​
• Harbour House 24 hour Support Line - 1-888-543-3999
• Wellness Together Canada - 1-866-585-0445 (adults) / 1-888-668-6810 (youth). Or Text WELLNESS to 741741
• NS Crisis Text Line (24/7) - Text NSSTRONG to 741741
• Indian Residential School Survivor 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1-866-925-4419
• NS Mi'kmaq Crisis and Referral Line - 1-855- 379-2099
• Talk Suicide Canada (If you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone else. Available 24/7) - 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (text services only available 5PM – 1AM)
• Good2Talk (Post-Secondary Students) - 1-833-292-3698
• Hope for Wellness Help Line (Experienced and culturally competent counsellors available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut) - 1-855-242-3310. Online chat available at hopeforwellness.ca
• Youth / BIPOC Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or text 'home' to 686868 for kids. Indigenous Peoples can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by texting FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 and Black youth can text RISE to 686868 for specialized supports as well
• Trans Lifeline - (Trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive) - 1-877-330-6366
• NISA Helpline (Muslim Women) - 1-888-315-NISA (6472)
• Postpartum Support International Helpline - 1-800-944-4773
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline  - 1-833-900-1010
• National Overdose Response Service - 1-888-688-NORS (6677)