Community Resources
Mental Health
Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Eskasoni Mental Health: Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Tui'kn Residential School Survivor Team provides services to all 5 Unama'ki (Cape Breton) communities.
CaperBase Outreach Services: CaperBase is a one-stop shop resource centre for youth up to age 24. They work with youth, families, schools, and community organizations to provide a safe, youth-friendly space that is confidential and non-judgmental.
Kids Help Phone: Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French. Whether by phone, text, mobile app or through our website, you can connect with us whenever you want, however you want.
Need help now? You can reach a professional counsellor 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868, or by texting CONNECT to 686868.
Adult Community Mental Health and Addiction Services: Community Mental Health and Addictions includes a team of mental health and addictions professionals who provide services on an outpatient basis. The team provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and outreach services that can help people to manage mental illness, addictions and concurrent disorders. The team works with individuals, families, community organizations, family physicians and others. Treatment may include individual or group therapy.
Al-Anon: Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. Online resource. Digital AA meetings are offered as an online resource and can be accessed at different times of the day, through a number of formats (phone, skype, chat). Groups can be general or for specific demographics: men only; women only; Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender; Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Blind/Visually Impaired; Loners/Internationalists; and Atheist/Agnostic.
Beacon Program: The Beacon Program a long-term residential program for young adults ages 18 to 35 who are living with mental illness and want to make changes in their lives. People who come to the program typically stay about 6 months. The Beacon House is located in Kentville and is available to people from anywhere in the province. While here, clients gain information and skills to help them in their recovery journeys. The Beacon Program offers hope, support and empowerment.
Eating Disorder Program: The Eating Disorders Program helps people overcome anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders. The clinic offers a variety of treatment options through individual therapy, consultation with a dietician, and a series of groups that address concerns associated with eating disorders.
Eating Disorders of Nova Scotia (EDNS): Eating Disorders Nova Scotia (EDNS) is a community-based organization that offers peer support for individuals with eating disorders, and for their families, friends and partners. In addition, we provide: Education for caregivers, clinicians, school staff and others; Assistance navigating the mental health system and Advocacy for the prevention, treatment and support of eating disorders. Programs are free of charge, and do not require a referral or diagnosis.
Gamblers Anonymous: Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
Gambling Addiction Help Guide: A starting point to provide help to those who are seeking information about gambling problems. This guide discusses the Gambling Addiction Signs and Symptoms and it also includes a list of references to state-approved programs in addition to other local options.
Narcotics Anonymous: A Resource in your Community: Anyone with a desire to stop using drugs is welcome to become a member of Narcotics Anonymous. Membership is not limited to addicts using any particular drug. Those who feel they may have a problem with drugs, legal or illegal, including alcohol, are welcome in NA. Recovery in NA focuses on the problem of addiction, not on any particular drug.
The Marguerite Centre: The Marguerite Centre provides a holistic, women-centred approach to recovery from substance misuse and gambling addiction. We are an inclusive, safe, non-judgmental environment; free from discrimination and available regardless of economic status.
Residents receive their own room and are empowered to create their own path to healing and recovery. Counsellors work with them to develop personal and family plans and goals.
Take Home Naloxone Program: The program provides opioid overdose prevention/nalaxone administration training and free take home nalaxone kits to Nova Scotians. The aim is to prevent opioid overdoses and realted death form occurring in Nova Scotian Comunities. For more information and a map of participating community locations visit the website.
Stop Smoking Services: Stop smoking, tobacco cessation and nicotine addiction services are available throughout Nova Scotia for individuals who want to cut back or stop their tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, vape, chew, etc.) use. Most participants will attend group counselling sessions that bring participants together in a supportive environment. In these sessions, participants explore topics related to making changes to tobacco use, including: understanding and developing coping strategies to manage triggers; cravings and urges to use tobacco; making changes to patterns of behaviour; building supports and identifying self-care strategies; managing stress without tobacco use; developing and discussing strategies to prevent relapse.
Hope For Wellness Helpline: The Hope for Wellness HelpLine offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent Help Line counsellors can help if you: want to talk; are distressed; have strong emotional reactions; are triggered by painful memories.
Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or connect with a counsellor online at https://www.hopeforwellness.ca.
Mental Health Effects of Vision Issues: Vision issues can negatively impact your mental health. Struggling to see clearly is frustrating, and can make everyday life harder. In turn, this can sometimes lead to depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Check out the guide on various mental health challenges that come with having vision impairment including causes, treatment, and resource for those struggling to find help.
Indigenous Resources
Eskasoni Mental Health: Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Tui'kn Residential School Survivor Team provides services to all 5 Unama'ki (Cape Breton) communities.
Jane Paul Indigenous Women’s Resource Centre: 902-539-5890 (janepaulcentre@outlook.com)
Abuse & Sexual Assault
Cape Breton Transition House/Willow House Crisis Line: 902-539-2945, Toll free: 1-800-563-2945, Text questions to 902-202-5596 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). The Cape Breton Transition House Association offers support and shelter to women and children who are emotionally, physically or sexually abused.
Other Resources
Every Woman’s Centre: Provides a shelter for women who are homeless for up to 5 months and a short-term emergency shelter when available.
The Elizabeth Fry Society: a not-for-profit, that works with and on behalf of women and young girls who have been criminalized and those at risk of being criminalized.
Ally Centre of Cape Breton: The Ally Centre of Cape Breton is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens in the community and to create a supportive environment for those infected and/or affected by bloodborne pathogens
Cape Breton Centre For Sexual Health: Providing a safe and confidential space where individuals can receive support, accurate information and services in dealing with sexual health.
Email: cbcforsexualhealth@gmail.com
Phone: (902) 539-5158
The Recovery Village Mental Health Disorders: A mental health disorder is defined as any condition that affects a person’s thoughts, behaviors or moods. Learn more about common mental illnesses as well as causes, diagnosis and treatment.
Speak to an Intake Coordinator now: 855-399-4896
Enhance Health Group: The Connection Between Depression and Eating Disorders