CARE community crisis service expands to north end Halifax and waterfront
Beginning Monday, March 16, CARE – Crisis Assistance and Response – will expand its 24-7 community crisis support service to the north end of Halifax and the Halifax waterfront.
About CARE
Launched in October 2025, the CARE program was initially offered between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday to Friday. CARE is a pilot program that provides in-person support for people 16 years and older experiencing non-emergency, non-violent crises related to substance use, public intoxication, thoughts of suicide, mental health distress or well-being. The service offers a safe, trauma-informed alternative to calling police or other first responders when they may not be the best fit.
CARE staff provide in-person support when someone is in distress. Supports may include:
- calming and de-escalating a crisis
- making a safety plan
- helping someone get to a safe place
- connecting people to community supports after the crisis
CARE staff are specially trained in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid, suicide prevention and cultural humility. They are prepared to respond respectfully and effectively to people from diverse communities, including African Nova Scotians, Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse residents.
In January 2026, CARE moved to 24-7 service in Dartmouth (within the Highway 111 boundary), Woodlawn and Cole Harbour. Based on current demand and operational capacity, the program is now extending service to the areas noted above.
Implementation and partnerships
Implementation of the CARE Team is a direct deliverable of the Regional Council-approved Public Safety Strategy. It fulfills the need for community-based, trauma-informed support that is community-led.
The CARE Service is delivered by community partners:
- The intake and dispatch partner receives the call and assesses whether service can be provided over the phone, or whether it requires an in-person response.
- The mobile partner provides in-person, mobile response.
How to access CARE
Call 211. A trained navigator will assess the situation and, if it qualifies for CARE, dispatch the CARE Mobile Team, who will then come in-person to provide support.
Important: CARE is a consent-based service. It does not respond to emergencies involving violence or weapons. In those cases, call 911.
For more information about the CARE program, visit our website.
