Places For Me
Health & Recovery
Mental health, addiction support, and medical care.
In crisis right now?
Free, 24/7 crisis lines
- 1-888-429-8167 Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or in crisis.
- 1-866-728-9622 Struggling with substances — no referral, no waitlist for the first call.
- 988 Thinking about suicide or self-harm.
- 2-1-1 Not sure where to start — they’ll help figure it out.
Naloxone is free in Nova Scotia — no prescription needed
- Available free at most pharmacies across NS — just ask at the counter.
- Also available at needle exchanges, community health centres, and many shelters.
- NS Health trains you how to use it for free when you pick it up.
- Carrying naloxone can save a life — yours or someone near you.
More info: nspep.ca (NS Prescription for Naloxone Program).
Addiction Services — free, no referral, no waitlist for the first call
- Call 1-866-728-9622 any time — you don’t need a doctor’s referral.
- Services include: withdrawal management, counselling, methadone / Suboxone programs, residential treatment, aftercare.
- You can also walk in to any NS Health addictions office — call first to confirm hours.
Withdrawal management centres
Halifax — Withdrawal Management
Call ahead to confirm location.
Cape Breton — Withdrawal Management
Call ahead to confirm location.
Truro — Withdrawal Management
Call ahead to confirm location.
Mental health drop-in & walk-in by region
You don’t always need an appointment. These places will see you.
Halifax Regional Municipality
NSHA Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Line — Central Zone
Dartmouth General Hospital — emergency mental health
Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building — psychiatric emergency
Mobile Outreach Street Health (MOSH) — for people experiencing homelessness
Laing House — youth mental health (16–29)
Re-opened March 2026 — call ahead to confirm current programs. Hours: Wed–Fri 3–7:30pm, Sat 11am–4:30pm.
Cape Breton
Cape Breton Regional Hospital — mental health emergency
Ally Centre of Cape Breton — harm reduction, HIV, Hep C
Central & Northern Nova Scotia
Colchester East Hants Health Centre
Pictou County Health Authority — mental health
Cumberland Health Authority
Western Nova Scotia
South Shore Regional Hospital — mental health
Valley Regional Hospital — mental health
Yarmouth Regional Hospital — mental health
Walk-in medical clinics
For non-emergency medical care — no health card required at most of these.
If you don’t have a health card, tell the clinic when you arrive. Most will still see you. See the ID & Docs page for how to get a health card without a fixed address.
Halifax area
Family Focus Medical Clinic — Spring Garden walk-in
Cobequid Community Health Centre — walk-in
Dartmouth General — walk-in
Other regions
Call 811 (NS HealthLink)
Free or low-cost dental care in NS
- NS Dental Program covers basic dental for people on income assistance — ask your caseworker or call Community Services 902-424-5200.
- Dalhousie Dental School clinic (supervised students, reduced cost) — 5981 University Ave, Halifax · 902-494-2824.
- IWK Dental Clinic for children and youth.
- Some community health centres offer sliding-scale dental — call 811 to find your nearest.
Harm reduction services
What harm reduction means
Support without requiring you to stop. Meeting you where you are, keeping you safer.
Needle exchange & clean supply programs
Direction 180 — methadone / Suboxone + harm reduction
Clinic Mon–Fri 8:30am–12pm; office Mon–Fri 8am–3pm.
Ally Centre Cape Breton
Souls Harbour locations & many shelters
- Fentanyl test strips: available free at needle exchanges and some pharmacies.
- Sharps disposal: most pharmacies accept used needles, no questions asked.
Frequently asked
Do I need a health card to get mental health help?
No. Crisis lines don’t need any ID. Walk-in clinics will usually see you without a health card — tell them you don’t have one. See the ID & Docs page for how to get a health card without an address.
Can I get addiction help if I’m still using?
Yes. NS Addiction Services operates from a harm-reduction approach — you don’t need to be sober to call or show up. The first call is just a conversation.
What if I’m in a mental health crisis and scared to call?
You can text 988 instead of calling. You can also text 2-1-1. If you’d rather show up somewhere in person, the nearest hospital emergency department must assess you — you cannot be turned away.
What if I have a warrant and I’m scared to go to a hospital?
Hospitals are not required to report you to police for having a warrant. Medical staff are there to treat you, not to check your legal status. Go if you need help.
Is methadone or Suboxone available in NS?
Yes, free through NS Addiction Services. Call 1-866-728-9622 to start the process. Direction 180 in Halifax also provides methadone and Suboxone directly.