Detachment from reality (delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations)
Delusions are false beliefs that involve a misinterpretation of experiences—for example, someone may believe people are trying to harm them.
Paranoia is when someone distrusts others for no perceived reason at all—for example, someone may suspect the motives of those around them.
Hallucinations are false or distorted sensory experiences that seem real—for example, someone may see, hear, or smell something that isn’t actually there.
People often describe delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations as “breaks from reality”. The term doctors and mental health professionals use to summarize these three experiences is “psychosis”. About three out of every 100 people will experience an episode of psychosis in their lifetime. Psychosis can be a part of any number of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, and others.
If you think you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms of psychosis, you should speak with your doctor or mental health professional. Psychosis is treatable, and many people recover well.
Tools
Mental Health 101
The Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthKnowledge is power. This series of free online tutorials is a starting point for learning about mental health. You can come away with a greater understanding of the mental health concern you are interested in knowing more about. The tutorials can...
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44 Program(s)
RASP (Rapid Access and Stabilization Program)
RASP offers patients that live in the Central Zone timely access to psychiatry consultation and the benefit of early input from a psychiatrist for the diagnosis and management of their mental health difficulties.
Referrals from primary care...
The Bloom Program
The Bloom Program is a community pharmacy initiative designed to increase and improve mental health and addictions care for Nova Scotians.
Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone with a Nova Scotia Health Card who has:
- One or more mental health...
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place provides a safe, non-clinical, non-stigma space for clients who are stable in the diagnoses to attend on a weekly basis. The activities planned for each week vary, ranging from cooking low-cost, simple meals; what resources are...
Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Intake
Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Intake is the entry point for all requests for service through the provincial toll free number 1-855-922-1122 Monday to Friday and all week-day holidays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as well as Tuesday and Thursday...
Access Wellness Nova Scotia
Access Wellness is a free single-session supportive counselling service for individuals (18 years and older), couples or families.
Sessions can be held over the phone, online with video, or in-person. People can speak with a qualified professional...
Hope For Mental Health
Hope For Mental Health is profoundly committed to empowering individuals and families affected by mental illness to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Guided by the vision of an inclusive society, Hope For Mental Health works to...
Acadia First Nation Community Health Centres
Mission Statement:
Acadia First Nations Health mission is to provide health programs and services to: "Assist communities and its members to achieve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health through health promotion, traditional teachings...
Glooscap First Nation Health and Healing Centre
Health programs offered include:
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Aboriginal Head-Start, On-Reserve (AHSOR)
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Home and Community Care (HCC)
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Brighter Futures - health promotion
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Community Health Promotion and Injury/Illness Prevention
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Building Healthy...
Annapolis Valley First Nation Health Centre
The Annapolis Valley First Nation Health Centre is made up of a Community Health Nurse, NADACA prevention Counselor, Community Based Water Monitor and a Receptionist.
Mental Health Acute Day Hospital
The Mental Health Acute Day Hospital cares for people with intense mental health issues or concerns. We offer:
- More closely monitored care than what is offered by community MHA clinics
- Support after you are discharged from an inpatient...
Sipekne’katik First Nation
The Sipekne’katik Health Centre has many programs available for its community to benefit from, including:
- Adult primary health care services
- Prenatal classes and services
- Parent programming
- Maternal child health services
- Public health...
Pictou Landing Health Centre
Provides health services to Pictou Landing First Nation community members, including mental health counselling.
Millbrook Health Centre
The Millbrook Health Centre provides health services to Millbrook Band members, First Nations people who reside at Millbrook First nation, and community members.
Services provided include:
- Primary health care
- Nursing services
- Dental services
- M...
Paqtnkek Health Centre
Dedicated and caring staff at the Paqtnkek Health Centre support a variety of community health promotion, education and prevention programs from Monday through Friday.
The centre provides primary health care services for adults and children, such as...
We'koqma'q Health and Wellness Department
The department provides an array of services including:
- Home and community care
- Dietician services
- Clinical therapists
- Addictions services
- Public health
- Primary care
- Palliative care
- Lab services
The department is also actively involved...
Membertou Health and Wellness Home
The Membertou Wellness Home delivers programs in heart disease/hypertension, smoking cessation, healthy weight, crisis prevention/intervention, mental health, pre-natal, diabetes foot care, addictions services, dental therapy, chronic disease, home...
Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq - Mental Wellness Team
The Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Mental Wellness Team provides case management and service navigation for First Nations persons of all ages seeking mental wellness services.
We work in collaboration with relevant community and provincial...
Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call 1-866-925-4419.
There are no fees associated with use and this service is...
IWK Mental Health and Addictions Program
The IWK Mental Health and Addictions Program provides specialized care throughout the province for children and youth up until their 19th birthday within a patient and family...
Canadian Mental Health Association - Colchester East Hants Branch
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Colchester East Hants Branch provides public education, advocacy, and a resource center to support the resiliency and recovery of people...
Canadian Mental Health Association - Halifax-Dartmouth Branch
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Halifax-Dartmouth Branch works at the community level and facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve...
Canadian Mental Health Association - Nova Scotia Division
Canadian Mental Health Associations in Nova Scotia are the oldest community-based mental health and addictions charitable organizations in the province, founded in 1908. The CMHA...
Laing House
Laing House, located in Halifax, is a drop-in centre for youth aged 16 – 29 living with mental health illness and/or challenges. Based on peer support, youth can meet friends who...
Hope for Wellness HelpLine
The Hope for Wellness HelpLine offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent...
Eskasoni Mental Health
Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Tui'kn Residential School Survivor Team...
Caregivers Nova Scotia
Caregivers Nova Scotia provides free programs, services, information, and advocacy for family and friend caregivers. We are dedicated to providing recognition and practical assistance to friends and family giving care.
211
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, 24/7.
Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services - Mental Health Programs and Services
Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) is responsible for administering Non-Public Property (NPP) on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff and for delivering...
Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service
Veterans Affairs provide targeted services and benefits to improve well-being including support and services related to your physical and mental health and wellness.The VAC...
Families Matter in Mental Health
Families Matter in Mental Health is an 11-week education and support program for family or friends who are providing practical and/or emotional support to someone who has a...
Health Psychology
Health Psychology offers psychological interventions for those with chronic and acute health conditions. The main focus is on the patient's mental and emotional reaction to an illness or their recovery from an illness.
Geriatric Psychiatry Acute Inpatient Unit
The Geriatric Psychiatry Acute Inpatient Unit is for individuals over the age of 65 with a new onset of mental illness or for individuals of any age with dementia and complicated medical and/or psychological symptoms.
Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Program
Seniors mental health services provide assessment, consultation and treatments to:
- seniors aged 65 and older for a new onset of mental health challenges
- individuals of any...
Early Psychosis Intervention Nova Scotia

Psychosis Is Treatable, The Sooner The Better
Early Psychosis Intervention Nova Scotia (EPINS) is a provincial service and is a collaboration between Nova Scotia Health and the IWK. The goal of the service is to make sure that people...
Community Transition Program (CTP)
The Community Transition Program (CTP) helps adults who have complex (mental and physical) health and behavioural challenges, and residential/social support needs. The goal is to...
Community Outreach Assessment Support and Treatment Team (COAST) - Dual Diagnosis Program (Intellectual Disability in combination with Mental Illness)
The community outreach assessment support and treatment team provides services for persons with both intellectual disability and also mental illness. These services include:
- A...
School Mental Health (SchoolsPlus)
The school mental health clinicians provide individual and group therapy, mental health and addictions education for school staff and consultation services. Clinicians are on...
Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line
The Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line provides crisis intervention for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis or mental distress.
The...
Inpatient Mental Health Services
Inpatient mental health services are available for those who cannot be safely assessed, diagnosed and stabilized in the community.
First Nations Services
Mental Health clinicians work as part of the first nations health care team in several first nations communities. The Mental Health Clinician provides assessment, diagnosis and...
Crossroads Cape Breton
Located in Sydney, Crossroads Cape Breton offers a variety of outreach, housing and community supports. Through this program, people discover purpose, build skills and improve...
Community Support Service (Adults)
The Community Support Teams for Adults/Community Supports for Adults supports individuals living with persistent mental illness to develop and maintain a safe, satisfying quality...
Adult Community Mental Health and Addictions Services
Community Mental Health and Addictions includes a team of mental health and addictions professionals who provide services on an outpatient basis. The team provides assessment...
Child and Adolescent Services
Child and Adolescent Services/Child Youth and Family/Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinical Services provide mental health and addiction services to children and youth (under...