Crisis Assistance and Response Service Expands to Halifax Peninsula
The CARE service, a 24-hour mobile response program for non-emergency mental health and substance use crises, has expanded its coverage to the Halifax peninsula. Launched as a pilot in October 2025, the trauma-informed service is now available across Dartmouth, Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour, offering residents aged 16 and older an alternative to police or emergency services.
Residents on the Halifax peninsula can now access CARE – Crisis Assistance and Response, a 24-hour community-based mobile response service designed for non-emergency situations. The expansion marks a significant step for the program, which was launched as a pilot in October 2025 as a key deliverable of Regional Council's Public Safety Strategy.
With this latest development, CARE is available throughout the Halifax peninsula, Dartmouth (within the Highway 111 boundary), Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour. The service provides in-person support for people experiencing non-emergency, non-violent crises related to mental health, substance use, and personal well-being.
The program offers psychosocial support specifically for individuals aged 16 and older through specially trained mobile response teams. Staff members are trained in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid, suicide prevention, and cultural humility. This approach aims to provide more residents with access to a trauma-informed alternative response when police, fire, or Emergency Health Services may not be the most appropriate resource.
To access the service, residents can call 211. A navigator will assess the situation and may dispatch a mobile team for in-person support if necessary. The CARE pilot program is delivered through partnerships with 211 Nova Scotia, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, and the Halifax Regional Municipality's Community Safety team.
During crises, the mobile teams offer calming techniques, de-escalation strategies, safety planning, and connections to community supports. It is important to note that CARE is a consent-based service and does not respond to emergencies involving violence or weapons; residents should continue to call 911 for those specific situations.