CMHA NS response to fires in Tantallon and Hammonds Plains areas

May 29, 2023

Being forced from one’s home by a natural disaster is a rare occurrence that most of us will never face.

Disasters like wildfires affect individuals in many ways and may affect your emotional, spiritual, physical and mental well-being. The emotional effects may show up immediately or appear weeks to months later.

Recognizing Anxiety and Trauma:

Overwhelming feelings of fear, stress and emotional distress – a feeling of being unable to cope
Acute anxiety, excessive worry and panic attacks
Feeling down or depressed, angry, sad, confused, low mood
Trouble breathing
Trouble eating (including overeating or not eating enough)
Trouble sleeping (including nightmares, over-sleeping or not sleeping enough)
Irritability and agitation, feeling jumpy, tense or hypervigilant
Avoidance or withdrawal – feeling or being unable to meet the demands of what needs to be done (e.g., preparing for evacuation)

Learn more.

CMHA NS offers the following list of resources to support those impacted by the wildfires in the province.

For parents and caregivers, the Trauma Informed Care Team at IWK Health offers helpful information and tips to support loved ones. | Website: https://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/wildfires

Mental Health Resources:

Text4HopeNS is a free tool to support those affected by wildfires. Nova Scotians can text HopeNS to 393939 to subscribe for six months of supportive text messages, free of charge.
211 is your 24/7 connection to the programs and services in your community that matter most to you. Through information and referrals, 211 helps connect you to local community groups, non-profit and government organizations. | Website: https://ns.211.ca/about-211-nova-scotia/
The CMHA NS Resource Guide is a comprehensive list of affordable mental health resources in Nova Scotia. Website: https://novascotia.cmha.ca/find-help/

Financial Resources:

The Canadian Red Cross will be distributing one-time financial assistance of $500 per eligible household.PLEASE NOTE: The assistance is for households that have been ordered to leave their primary residence by emergency officials. Eligible households can register for financial assistance by: Calling 1-800-863-6582 (8 a.m.- 8 p.m.) | Online at: redcross.ca

The United Way Halifax has launched the United Way Wildfire Recovery Appeal to support communities impacted by the wildfires across Nova Scotia as they recover and rebuild. Communities need a wide variety of supports and services when rebuilding after a climate change disaster such as a wildfire. Website: https://www.unitedwayhalifax.ca/give/united-way-halifax-wildfire-recovery-appeal/

Comfort Centres

Comfort centres are temporary accommodations where food and water are provided, as well as a place to charge devices and receive up-to-date information, when residents are impacted by prolonged power outages, extreme temperatures or other significant events.

Black Point and Area Community Centre | 8579 St Margarets Bay Road. The comfort centre opened at 7 a.m. on May 29 and will remain open until further notice.
Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre | 1583 Beaver Bank Road. The comfort centre is open until further notice.

Evacuation Centres:

An evacuation centre is a type of emergency facility which is opened when residents have to be evacuated from their homes due to a specific emergency event and where evacuees are received, needs are identified, and food, water and overnight accommodations are provided.

Canada Games Centre | 26 Thomas Raddall Drive. The evacuation centre is open until further notice.

News updates, road closures, etc.

Who to Follow on Twitter or Facebook

@hfxgov
@nsemo
@NS_DNRR
@rcmpns
@nsgov
@hfxfire

Are you a firefighter? Learn more about Resilient Minds, an evidence-based, peer-to-peer skills development program designed by and for fire fighters using the latest literature on resilience, trauma-informed practices and stress-related/occupational psychological injuries.

Non-Crisis Support:

Non-crisis support might be longer term help such as counselling, or perhaps peer support or a helpline.

These are resources that can help us work though things that are bothering us, find some solidarity and support with others who have experienced similar things, or maybe just give us a hand or a listening ear when we need it.

A voluntary professional organization that represents psychology in Nova Scotia. Includes a database of psychologists working in Nova Scotia

Couch of H.O.P.E (Healing Opportunities for People Everywhere) | Phone or text: 902-707-4414 | Email: [email protected] | Website: https://couchofhope.com/ | Counselling

Couch of H.O.P.E provides free or low-cost Counselling Services to Nova Scotians. Sessions are 50 minutes in duration, option for in-person, video, or phone. Qualify: if you do not have insurance or if you do not have a means to pay for services

What to Expect: Reach out to us by text, phone or email, needs and eligibility are assessed, you are matched with an available therapist who best meets your needs, and begin therapy

E-Mental Health | Website: https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Central-Nova-Scotia/Psychologists-and-Psychological-Associates/index.php?m=heading&ID=54&originalSearch=Halifax,%20NS | Counselling

A list psychologists and psychological organizations in Nova Scotia.

IBPOC (Indigenous, Black & People of Color) Service Provider Database | Website: www.khyber.ca/ibpoc-mental-health-database/ | BIPOC, Indigenous, Counselling

Resource to share information and highlight IBPOC mental health workers and services local to Kjipuktuk/Halifax. This database was created to highlight a range of local services, programs and IBPOC mental health workers for IBPOC residents of Kjipuktuk/Halifax. It is updated regularly. To learn more, visit www.khyber.ca

Lambda Health | Website: https://www.lambdahealth.ca | Contact is through website contact form | Counselling, 2SLGBTQIA+

Our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities confront unique challenges and barriers that can make accessing mental health services more difficult. This has led to 2SLGBTQ+ folks being disproportionately affected by mental health issues.

Please see the website for more information and a list of available therapists.

The Affordable Therapy Network | Website: www.affordabletherapynetwork.com | Counselling

The Affordable Therapy Network is an initiative to increase access to affordable therapy and counselling services across Canada. Counsellors listed on the database offer low-cost or sliding scale options to increase access to mental health services across the country. Virtual and in-person counselling services are available.

Rates for Counselling Sessions:

Standard Rates: For those who can pay standard rates, you are helping our therapists provide more options to those who otherwise would not be able to access support.
Low-Cost Rates: Many listed therapists offer sessions at a low-cost rate ranging between $50- $65 to support those experiencing financial difficulty.
Sliding Scale Fees: All listed therapists offer sliding scale rates for those who do not require the low-cost rate but cannot access standard therapy fees. These generally range between $70-$120 and varies between individual therapists.

Theravive | Website: https://www.theravive.com/cities/ns/ | Counselling, Education

Online searchable resource for therapists and counsellors. Website includes a searchable academic encyclopedia of DSM-5 and information about counselling

Thoughtful Changes | Phone: 902-932-7122 | Website: www.thoughtfulchanges.org |Counselling

A non-profit group of counselors dedicated to providing affordable care to Nova Scotians.
Intake appointments are $50, ongoing services are provided on a sliding scale from $50-$80/session. They also offer a pay-it-forward program where people who can afford to pay higher than the regular feel can contribute to reducing costs for people who struggle to pay the $50 minimum.