Health Care
For information about how health care works in Canada, click here.
211 is a free, confidential service that connects individuals and families with community resources and navigational supports tailored to their needs. Trained specialists can help people access health services, mental health supports, housing, food, financial assistance, and other local programs, making it easier to find the right resources at the right time. Support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 2-1-1 or visiting www.211.ca.
Residents of Nova Scotia need a Nova Scotia Health Card. To register for a Health Card in Nova Scotia, you must call the MSI Registration and Enquiry Department at 902-496-7008 or 1-800-563-8880 (toll-free within Nova Scotia) to start the application process. Blank applications are not available. More information can be found here.
In any major emergency call 911
If you go to the emergency room, be sure to have your Nova Scotia Health Card with you.
How to get a family doctor
Need a Family Practice Registry is for people in Nova Scotia who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. There is no set timeframe determining when you’ll be assigned to a doctor – it could be weeks or months. Registering on this site puts your name in the queue and you’ll be contacted when there is an availability.
Nova Scotia Health – Where to go for Healthcare
People with potentially life-threatening conditions should immediately call 911 or go to their nearest
emergency department. The 24-hour mental health crisis line is also available at 1- 888-429-8167. You
can also visit mhahelpns.ca for non-urgent information on support and available services. See a list of resources and Eastern Zone supports Here.
Your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) is where most of your health concerns can and should be addressed. However, there are times when you may not be able to see your primary care provider and you need care. You may also not have a primary care provider. YourHealthNS connects you with care by providing information about healthcare services, resources, and information from across the health system. YourHealthNS is available as an app through the Apple and Google Play stores, or online at www.YourHealthNS.ca.
Common Mental Health Care Providers
Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who focus on mental health. Their services are covered by your Nova Scotia Health Card, and they can prescribe medication. You usually need a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner to see one, and wait times can vary.
Psychologist: Psychologists are mental health professionals who help people with things like anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. They provide talk therapy and can also do psychological assessments and testing. They do not prescribe medication. You can see them through private practices, some programs, or workplace benefits. Most services are not covered by your Nova Scotia Health Card, but some may be covered by insurance or specific programs.
Therapists / Counsellors: Therapists and counsellors are trained mental health professionals who support people with things like trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction. They do not prescribe medication. You can find them through private practices or services like Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions. Most services are not covered by your health card, though some may be covered through workplace benefits or specific programs.
Mental Health and Addictions
Nova Scotian residents have access to a wide range of free Mental Health and Addictions supports. These include the 24/7 Provincial Crisis Line (1-888-429-8167) and Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868). For ongoing needs, you can call the Mental Health and Addictions Intake Line (1-855-922-1122) or even book your first assessment online at prebooking.nshealth.ca. Intake connects you with the right services based on your needs.
Access Wellness Nova Scotia offers up to three single-session counselling appointments per year for issues like stress, grief, or relationships (1-833-691-2282) www.mha.nshealth.ca. Recovery Support Centres, including three in Cape Breton, provide help for substance use concerns, with daily walk-in support available at the North Sydney site.
There are also free online tools, including Tranquility, Mindwell U, and Togetherall, which can help with stress, anxiety, depression, or connecting with peer support.
Click here to view the shareable and printable PDF of resourcess. You can also visit MHAhelpNS.ca to learn more.
Grief and Loss
Immigration, relocation, and resettlement can involve many forms of grief. Grief is not a single event, but an ongoing process of adapting, remembering, rebuilding, and finding belonging while carrying multiple losses at once.
Some employers may also offer mental health supports, including grief and loss services, through employee benefits.
Below are additional resources for support, in addition to those listed in the Mental Health and Addictions section above.
Access Wellness Nova Scotia: A free single-session supportive counselling service for individuals, couples or families. Trained counsellors can help people manage stress, mild to moderate depression or anxiety, relationship issues, grief and loss, general mental health concerns, concerns related to alcohol and drug use, loss and more. Visit www.accesswellnessnovascotia.ca or call 1-833-691-2282 to make an appointment.
Alone in Canada: 21 Ways to Make It Better: A self-help guide created by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for newcomers to Canada living without close family or support. It explores common experiences such as loneliness, culture shock, and stress, and offers practical tips and exercises to support mental health and wellbeing. It can be used at your own pace and includes stories from other newcomers. Learn more here: www.camh.ca
Bereaved Families of Nova Scotia: Offers peer support and confidential one-on-one support, along with programs such as Support and Share sessions, grief and trauma programs, adolescent grief support, and Death Cafés. Monday to Friday 9AM – 5PM. Phone 902-564-6795, email info@bereavedfamiliesns.ca or visit: www.bfocb.ca
BetterHelp: An online platform that connects users with licensed counsellors and therapists through messaging, phone, or video sessions. It is a private subscription service and is not covered by provincial health care in Canada. Learn more here: www.betterhelp.com
MyGrief: A free online resource that helps people understand and work through grief at their own pace. It includes information, personal stories, and guided modules for before and after a loss. Learn more here: www.mygrief.ca
Nova Scotia Grief Alliance: A province-wide initiative focused on strengthening grief support through education, resource sharing, and community collaboration. It connects individuals and organizations working in grief support across Nova Scotia. Visit: www.nsgriefalliance.com
Nova Scotia Peer Support Phone Service: Provides free peer support from people with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges. Hours: Wed–Fri 5pm–11pm, Sat–Sun 11am–11pm AT (closed Mon–Tues) Phone: 1-800-307-1686 www.supportyourpeople.com
TELUS Health: Provides online and in-person mental health support through licensed counsellors and health professionals. Services include counselling, mental health assessments, and support for stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. Some services may be covered by workplace benefits or extended health plans, while others are paid privately. Learn more here: www.telus.com
Pharmacist Primary Care Clinics
A Pharmacy Care Clinic appointment is a consultation with a pharmacist to address your health concerns and care needs. Pharmacists can provide a wide range of healthcare services, including assessment and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, management of chronic conditions, medication management, lab tests, vaccinations, and medication administration by injection.
Click here to submit an addition/edit to this pageLast Modified: June 22, 2026