Halifax’s CARE Crisis Service Expands to 24/7 Availability
Starting January 19, the CARE community crisis service in Halifax Regional Municipality will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The pilot program, launched in October 2025, provides non-emergency mental health and substance use support for residents aged 16 and older in Dartmouth, Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour.
Residents in specific areas of the Halifax Regional Municipality will soon have round-the-clock access to non-emergency crisis support. Beginning Jan. 19, the CARE (Crisis Assistance and Response) community service will expand its availability to 24-7.
The CARE program was initially launched as a pilot in October 2025. During that period, services were offered between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday to Friday. The expansion aims to provide continuous support for individuals experiencing crises related to mental health, substance use, and personal well-being.
The service is available to people aged 16 years and older in Dartmouth (within the Highway 111 boundary), Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour. It is designed as a safe, trauma-informed alternative to calling police or other first responders for non-emergency situations.
To access the service, residents call 211. A navigator assesses the situation and dispatches the mobile team if the caller is eligible. The CARE Team operates through partnerships with 211 Nova Scotia, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, and the Municipal Community Safety team.
Staff members are trained in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid, suicide prevention, and cultural humility. The implementation of the CARE Team is a direct deliverable of the Public Safety Strategy approved by Regional Council.
It is important to note that CARE is a consent-based service and does not respond to emergencies involving violence or weapons. In those situations, users should continue to call 911.