DECEMBER 10, 2009 : HELPLINE EXPANDS TO SERVE FAMILIES ACROSS THE PROVINCE

THE PROVINCE

Halifax, NS (December 10, 2009) – Parents and individuals across Nova Scotia now have access to a support system simply by picking up the phone, and soon access will be enhanced further when it expands to 24-hour coverage.

FEED NOVA SCOTIA announced today the launch of a new province-wide parental support service through a pilot project funded by the province’s Child and Youth Strategy.  Helpline, a telephone support service which has been operating in the Halifax area for 35 years and is now run by FEED NOVA SCOTIA, recently expanded to include parental support to assist individuals experiencing parenting challenges and to advance from a regional service to a toll-free provincial one. In the coming months, it will expand to include 24-hour access.

"The expansion of the helpline is another way we are responding to the Nunn Commission's recommendations," said Robert Wright, executive director of the province's Child and Youth Strategy.  "By making the service available province-wide more families and individuals will have access to the resources and information they need to support our children and young people."

Helpline is currently available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Trained staff and volunteers provide non-clinical, empathetic support and connect callers with the services that can best be of help to them. The nature of the calls varies considerably, but often relates to parenting, domestic violence, loneliness and isolation, addictions, mental health issues, and food and housing concerns. Any calls that require emergency intervention are referred to 911.

“People experiencing distress in their lives, no matter what the issue, often feel frustrated trying to connect with the right service or organization. This includes people seeking support for parenting,” said Dianne Swinemar, executive director of FEED NOVA SCOTIA. “Now Helpline can be the starting point for Nova Scotians when they need some assistance.”

Helpline, along with the new parental support focus, can be reached by dialing 421-1188 in the Halifax area and toll free throughout the rest of the province by dialing 1-877-521-1188.