Halifax launches new civilian mental health crisis team – CBC
Pilot program will serve Dartmouth area on weekdays in first phase
Oct 07, 2025
Halifax has launched a new civilian team to help people in distress in the Dartmouth area as an alternative to calling police.
The two-year pilot project called CARE — Crisis Assistance and Response — began Monday, according to a release from Halifax Regional Municipality.
The program is delivered by Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, supporting anyone 16 years and older dealing with non-emergency, non-violent crises related to mental health, personal well-being or substance use.
The team members will be mobile and can offer help such as de-escalating a crisis, making a safety plan, helping someone get to a safe place and connecting people to community support.
CARE staff are trained in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid and suicide prevention, the release said. They are prepared to respond “respectfully and effectively” to people from diverse communities, including those who are African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+ and neurodivergent.
