Support for First Responders

Share it. Don't wear it. It's time to speak up about mental health.
Close-up photograph of a Firefighter with text over the image mentioning "Share It. Don't Wear It.

For immediate assistance, call 911. Find more 24/7 Emergency Services Contacts.

An average day for a first responder is anything but average.

Firefighters, paramedics, police officers, correctional officers, 911 dispatchers and other frontline workers help Nova Scotians on their worst days and can be exposed to difficult and traumatic events. 

Whether you are a first responder, family member, employer or colleague, find tools and resources here to help you understand and respond to mental health issues and traumatic stress injuries.

Psychological injuries

Photograph of a paramedic looking tense. White text covers his face, listing frustrations about work, marriage, children, exhaustion, and feeling overwhelmed, conveying stress reaching a breaking point

Learn more about psychological injury in the workplace and what is covered if you have experienced a work-related injury. Psychological injuries can take different forms, including:

Close-up photograph of a Firefighter with text over the image mentioning "Share It. Don't Wear It.

Posters for your workspace

Use these posters to help your own workplace mental health resources, events, and activities to support first responders. They were designed with a white space on the bottom so you have the option to add information. 

Download posters.

 

 

 

Help in a crisis

Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line

Call 1-888-429-8167 or 1-902-429-8167 toll-free.

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are worried about someone else, support is available 24/7 in English and French.

Call or text 9-8-8.

 
Last updated: 2026-10-13
first responders psychological injuries safety and prevention