Tip Sheets for Parents and Caregivers:
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Coping with an Emergency or Disaster- IWK Health
Handouts from the Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (PFA)
- Helping infants and toddlers after disasters
- Helping preschool-aged children after disasters
- Helping school-aged children after disasters
- Helping adolescents after disasters
- Helping adults after disasters
Books and Apps:
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A Terrible Thing Happened: A Story for Children Who Have Witnessed Violence or Trauma by Margaret Holmes
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Jenny Is Scared: When Sad Happens in the World by Carol Shuman
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I Am the Storm by Jane Yolen
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Ruby Finds a Worry- Tom Percival
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Help Kids Cope App - NCTSN
Indigenous Health & African Nova Scotian Resources
Indigenous Health
Courtney Pennell RN, BScN, IWK Indigenous Health Consultant
Work Cell: 902-943-6125
Email: Courtney.Pennell@iwk.nshealth.ca
First Nations Health Services Coordinator
Fabian Francis
Cell: (902) 471-2988
Email: fabian.francis@cmmns.com
African Nova Scotian Liaison
Cynthia Jordan
Phone: 902-240-0471
Email: Cynthia.Jordan@iwk.nshealth.ca
Community Resources:
911
If your health, safety, or property is threatened and you need help right away.
If you’re not sure if your situation is an emergency. The 911 call taker will determine if you need immediate help.
There is no charge to call 911 from any phone, including pay phones. Anyone in Nova Scotia can call 911.
When you call 911, it is very important that you stay on the line with the 911 call taker and answer all the questions. Expect to be asked:
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the nature of the emergency
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the complete address of the emergency, including civic address number, street name, and type, community, and county
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to confirm the telephone number you are calling from
811
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Concerned about your health? Wondering if you can care for yourself at home, or need to see a doctor? Call 8-1-1 to talk to a registered nurse around the clock, seven days a week. Our nurses can also provide information about services provided in your area, or general information about your health care concerns.
211
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211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can connect you to thousands of programs and services offered by local community groups, nonprofits, and government departments across Nova Scotia. It is available throughout the province – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – by dialing “2-1-1” to speak to a helpful staff member, by searching the easy-to-use online database at www.ns.211.ca, or texting 21167.
Local Emergency Department
If you feel you are at imminent risk of harm whether due to the actions of another or yourself (e.g., suicide), immediate emergency services, such as the police or emergency medical personnel, should be accessed. In our area, the emergency rooms are:
Cobequid Community Health Centre
40 Freer Lane
Lower Sackville, NS B4C 0A2
Canada
Administrative Switchboard: 902-869-6100
The emergency room at this location is open from 7 am to 12 midnight.
IWK Children’s Emergency Department
Provides care to ill and injured children until the age of 16, and to those with mental health care needs until their 19th birthday. The IWK Emergency Department (ED) provides care to ill and injured children and youth until their 16th birthday and to those with mental health care needs until their 19th birthday.
5980 University Ave Halifax, NS B3K 6R8
The IWK Emergency Department (ED) provides care to ill and injured children and youth until their 16th birthday and to those with mental health care needs until their 19th birthday.
Phone: 902-470-8050
The Halifax Infirmary
1799 Robie Street
4th floor, Halifax Infirmary
Halifax, NS B3H 3G1
Administrative Switchboard: 902-473-2700
Patient Switchboard: 902-473-1510
The Dartmouth General Hospital
325 Pleasant Street
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4G8
Administrative Switchboard: 902-465-8300
The IWK, Halifax Infirmary, and Dartmouth General Hospital operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week emergency room services.
The Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team (MHMCT)
Provides crisis support for children, youth, and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Service offers telephone crisis support 24 hours a day 7 days a week anywhere in Nova Scotia and a Mobile Response from 1 pm to 1 am to most communities in Halifax Regional Municipality. MHMCT is a co-response model with police and has 4 Halifax Regional Police dedicated to the service and all mobile visits include an MHMCT police officer and a mental health clinician. Website
PO Box 1004
Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 3Z6
902-429-8167
1-888-429-8167 (Toll Free)
Talk Suicide Canada
Provides nationwide, 24-hour, bilingual support to anyone who is facing suicide.
1-833-456-4566 (Crisis Line)
Text 45645 (4 pm – 12 am ET)
www.talksuicide.ca
Kids Help Phone
counselling, referral and support services for children and youth under the age of 20 years old. Professional counsellors provide immediate and caring support to young people who are dealing with a problem, making a hard decision, or concerned with feelings or mood. The service is free, confidential, anonymous, and available 24 hours a day.
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Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 provides kids and teens access to a professional counsellor by phone to discuss their issues or concern 24 hours a day.
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The Kids Help Phone website provides online information and services in a format (design and language) aimed at kids. Topics covered include bullying, violence, abuse, feelings, the internet, money, my body, school, friends, dating, emotional health, family, LGBTQ, money, physical health, body image, and indigenous issues.
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Kids Help Phone- Live Chat Counselling provides kids and teens the opportunity to chat online, one-on-one with a professional counsellor. Chat services can be accessed from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Also available using the “Always There” app, available for iOS and Android devices.
Website / Urgent Help Link (option to tap to text, call and more)
Cobequid Youth Health Services
Provides a place for youth and their families to turn for help and support, in an environment of respect and confidentiality. Social workers advocate, navigate, and collaborate with community partners while providing counseling, support, and referrals for young people aged 13 to 25, with or without their families.
The centre is located on the main floor of the Cobequid Community Health Centre
40 Freer Lane, Lower Sackville
Social Work Phone: 902-869-6131 / 902-869-6106
Youthspace
Offers emotional support and crisis intervention to youth (up to 30 years of age) in Canada. Our highly-trained volunteers are online every night (6 PM to 12 AM PST; 10 pm to 4 AM Halifax time) to connect with users in Chat - instant message or text message. Our site also offers a moderated Forum, a Resource database, and a link to E-Counselling.
Victoria, BC
www.youthspace.ca
Private Healthcare Coverage
If you have Private Healthcare coverage. Please contact them or your employer regarding available resources that may be available.