The North End Community Health Centre will enhance and expand its mental health services with a $175,000 grant from the provincial government.
“The North End Community Health Centre is a long-standing community organization that has worked hard and adapted over the years, making it an important part of the fabric that makes up Halifax’s north end,” said Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill. “This investment is a recognition of the important role the centre plays in offering health services to its community and I am pleased to see its mental health supports expand.”
This new funding will assist group and peer mental health support, long-term counselling and the Pause: Mental Health Walk-In Program. This program aims to eliminate barriers for accessing mental health supports. No appointments are needed, no follow-up is required, and it takes place in a person’s community. This support is available for those who have been experiencing barriers to formal mental health service because of homelessness or housing insecurity, systemic racism, substance use or other forms of marginalization, or who would benefit from support outside of a medical model of mental health services.
The North End Community Health Centre is a non-profit, registered charitable organization that opened in 1971. More than 60 staff members and health-care providers are dedicated to its vision of providing innovative, respectful and compassionate health and wellness services to a unique and culturally diverse community. Services include a primary care clinic, a dental clinic, Mobile Outreach Street Health (MOSH) and Housing First.
Due to public health measures, the Pause: Mental Health Walk-In Program is currently only providing phone-in supports, available by calling 1-800-598-5270.
Quotes:
As an organization that provides community supports, we strive to provide programming that addresses struggles that come up unexpectedly, or mental health issues that require community connection to solve. Daily we hear from community members about issues that cause anxiety, sadness or distress. By providing a walk-in mental health clinic and counselling right where people live, we hope to provide meaningful supports that address issues as they arise and avoid further crisis. – Marie-France LeBlanc, executive director, North End Community Health Centre
Quick Facts:
- government’s investment in mental health and addictions has increased to $336.5 million this fiscal year
- the Mental Health Crisis Line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing crisis response for children, youth and adults anywhere in the province; anyone experiencing a mental health crisis should call the line toll-free at 1-888-429-8167
- Nova Scotians can self-refer to the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Community Mental Health and Addictions clinics, Withdrawal Management Services, or Opioid Replacement and Treatment Programs, using the Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service Line; the service line is toll-free and is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-855-922-1122
- the Mental Health Crisis Line receives an average of 20,000 calls each year and as a result of the pandemic managed 25,000 in 2020