Advice to help you live your healthiest life, covering fitness, nutrition, mental health, self-care and much more.
May 30, 2026
Modern life is stressful and sometimes just surviving the day-to-day with good humour intact can be a challenge. If you’re dealing with financial, family, work or health challenges, the struggle can be even more difficult, leading to or exacerbating depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.
While lifestyle interventions may sometimes be helpful, there are other times when eating well, exercising regularly and incorporating mindfulness techniques into your usual routines just isn’t enough to help you be resilient. That’s when it’s time to seek expert help.
For many people, getting help with mental health begins with a visit to their family doctor. Sounds easy – but if you’re one of the 60,000 people in Nova Scotia who don’t have access to a primary care physician, that way of accessing mental health supports doesn’t exist.
Happily, support for mental health has come a long way, with virtual appointments, apps and other resources helping patients get the help they need on their own terms. Nova Scotians may access variety of mental health tools and supports online or over the phone, without a referral.
If you’re looking for mental health support in your community or online, your first stop should be the Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions Program homepage. There, you’ll find links to resources on a range of symptoms and conditions, and targeted help for parents, caregivers, first responders and members of the military, plus members of equity-deserving populations.
The provincial health authority is also working with partner organizations that provide mental health resources and training online. Use these resources – paid for by the province – to connect with peer support, develop a mindfulness practice or treat mild to moderate depression. Find a roundup of e-mental health resources right here.
The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Nova Scotia division also offers online resources, including specialized resources for maternal mental health. Check their Resource Guide for more information about how to get help, community resources and helpful tips.
Nova Scotians can also call 211 to speak to someone who can connect them to mental health resources in their community. Calling 211 is also a way to connect with resources that can help you deal with problems like food scarcity, housing instability or transportation barriers that might be adversely affecting your mental health.
Need help now?
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line toll-free at 1-888-429-8167 or dial 911. Children and youth can also call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who might be, call 988 for immediate assistance. Indigenous Nova Scotians can call the Hope for Wellness help line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat on its website.
