Nova Scotia will cover online mental health coaching for all residents

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia will fund an online mental health coaching program aimed at supporting people experiencing mild or moderate depression and anxiety.

The online program, called Tranquility, offers weekly one-on-one virtual coaching alongside cognitive behavioural therapy resources.

Brian Comer, minister responsible for the province's Office of Addictions and Mental Health, said in a statement today that the program is unique because it offers individualized mental health support in a convenient way.

“Having resources at our fingertips to help us manage (depression or anxiety) in the early stages will help promote mental wellness and keep people healthy,” Comer said.

Nova Scotia first partnered with the Halifax-based firm Tranquility in March, when it made services available to about 150 residents who first had to be referred through a primary care provider.

The program is now funded for use by all residents over the age of 16 without a referral.

A spokesperson for the Office of Mental Health and Addiction said in an email that it expects 1,000 to 2,000 Nova Scotians to use the program annually, and it does not foresee any issues with the service's capacity

The province estimates it will pay between $340,000 and $510,000 per year for the service.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2022.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press