3.0 Responding to Mental Health Crises: Alternatives to Police Intervention
This section offers ideas for different ways to respond to mental health crises in a nightlife setting without calling the police. It lists different resources that can offer support and gives some guidelines for how to respond to a crisis.
Calling the police during a mental health crisis can have negative, and sometimes deadly, results. Police officers might not have the right training to deal with mental health crises, and this could make the situation worse, particularly for people who are part of racialized communities.
To help people in crisis and keep them safe, here are some other options you can try:
Mobile Crisis Teams (MCTs)
These are teams of mental health professionals who are trained to de-escalate crises and provide immediate support.
In Nova Scotia, you can reach the Mobile Crisis Team 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167
Crisis Hotlines
These are confidential phone lines that offer immediate help and advice.
In Nova Scotia, you can reach the Mental Health Crisis Line 24/7 at 902-429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167 (toll free)
Community Health Centers
Nova Scotia has Community Health Teams in different locations. You can find the location details on their website
Peer Support Network
These organizations offer non-crisis support from people who have personal experience with mental health challenges.
Peer Support Nova Scotia offers peer support programs and resources
Emergency Departments with Psychiatric Services
Some hospitals have special departments that can handle psychiatric emergencies.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one such hospital.
Non-Emergency Police Lines
You can use these lines if a situation requires police presence, but there is no immediate danger.
The number for the Halifax Regional Police Non-Emergency Line is 902-490-5020.
Immediate Steps
Further Reading
Calling the police during a mental health crisis can have negative, and sometimes deadly, results. Police officers might not have the right training to deal with mental health crises, and this could make the situation worse, particularly for people who are part of racialized communities.
To help people in crisis and keep them safe, here are some other options you can try:
Mobile Crisis Teams (MCTs)
These are teams of mental health professionals who are trained to de-escalate crises and provide immediate support.
In Nova Scotia, you can reach the Mobile Crisis Team 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167
Crisis Hotlines
These are confidential phone lines that offer immediate help and advice.
In Nova Scotia, you can reach the Mental Health Crisis Line 24/7 at 902-429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167 (toll free)
Community Health Centers
Nova Scotia has Community Health Teams in different locations. You can find the location details on their website
Peer Support Network
These organizations offer non-crisis support from people who have personal experience with mental health challenges.
Peer Support Nova Scotia offers peer support programs and resources
Emergency Departments with Psychiatric Services
Some hospitals have special departments that can handle psychiatric emergencies.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one such hospital.
Non-Emergency Police Lines
You can use these lines if a situation requires police presence, but there is no immediate danger.
The number for the Halifax Regional Police Non-Emergency Line is 902-490-5020.
Immediate Steps
- First, make sure that the person in crisis, and anyone else around, is safe.
- If you need immediate support, call a crisis hotline or a mobile crisis team.
- If it’s safe to do so, stay with the person and reassure them until help arrives.
- Encourage the person to seek ongoing support from community health services or peer networks.
Further Reading
