**** NS Gov Release
Mental Health Crisis Response Program for Police, Other First Responders Expands to Eastern Nova Scotia
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More first responders are getting the skills and support they need to help Nova Scotians experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model is expanding to the eastern health zone, which includes Antigonish and Guysborough counties and Cape Breton Island. Through the model, police and other first responders receive specialized training to help them recognize and respond safely to mental health and substance use crises. During an incident, responders can also access healthcare professionals through a dedicated phone line for real-time guidance and support.
The model aims to improve interactions between responders and people in crisis, creating safer, more compassionate responses while helping connect people to the right care sooner.
“Nova Scotians deserve a response that recognizes what they are going through,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. “The Crisis Intervention Team model gives first responders practical skills to safely respond to someone in crisis and strengthens the connection between first responders and the healthcare system. This expansion means more people will get the right support when they need it most.”
The government is investing $700,000 in 2026-27 to expand the model to eastern zone communities. Planning is also underway to bring the model to the western health zone, which includes the Annapolis Valley, South Shore and southwest counties. CIT has been operating successfully in the central and northern zones for several years and has become an important part of Nova Scotia’s effort to provide timely, community-based mental health and addictions support across the province.
Quotes:
“Police officers are often the first people called when someone is experiencing a crisis, and having the right training can make a big difference in how that situation unfolds. This crisis intervention training helps officers recognize the signs of a mental health or addictions crisis, use de-escalation techniques and connect people to appropriate supports. That helps promote safer outcomes for people in crisis, our officers and our communities.”
— Scott Armstrong, Minister of Justice
“We have heard from front-line officers that they need more support to properly respond to people experiencing mental health crises in the community, and this specialized training, built on expertise in the health field and driven by a police voice, is incredibly impactful to officers and necessary to provide the best approach to meeting community needs. At the CBRPS, we are proud to help launch the expansion of this model across the province.”
— Stephen MacKinnon, interim Chief, Cape Breton Regional Police Service
“This expansion will strengthen the response to mental health and substance use crises across the province. The CIT model brings healthcare professionals and first responders together to improve crisis response, connect people to the right supports and help them access timely care. Through partnerships between the mental health and addictions program and local police services, CIT promotes compassionate, person-centred responses and the least intrusive intervention possible.”
— Matthew White, Director, Central Zone, Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Program
Quick Facts:
- in the northern health zone, 65 per cent of New Glasgow Regional Police officers have completed the 40-hour CIT program, providing CIT coverage on every shift
- between November 2022 and January 2026, only seven per cent of northern zone incidents involving CIT resulted in emergency department transfers
- across Nova Scotia, first responders trained in the model include municipal police and RCMP officers, Emergency Health Services dispatchers and providers, correctional staff and others
- the model supports the Province’s whole-of-government approach to achieve the systemic, operational and legislative changes outlined in the final reports of the Mass Casualty Commission and the Desmond Fatality Inquiry
- the provincial mental health and addictions crisis phone line provides 24/7 support and receives about 1,700 calls per month, more than 20,000 calls per year
Additional Resources:
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or concerned about someone else can call the provincial mental health and addictions crisis line at 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free) or visit the nearest emergency department for support.
Information about mental health and addictions supports in Nova Scotia is available by calling 211, visiting YourHealthNS.ca, or downloading the YourHealthNS app.
