Mental Health Services

Core Programs and Standards

This set of system-level standards for mental health services in Nova Scotia has been drafted by the Core Programs Standards Working Group of the Mental Health Steering Committee. Numerous system stakeholders were involved in reaching consensus on standards based on the best available information regarding effectiveness and/or best practice, balanced by the perspective of consumers, expert practitioners and educators. Input will continue to be sought and revisions will take place every five years to keep pace with best practice evidence.

Generic and core program standards form the foundation for long-term improvement in mental health services. An overarching set of generic standards represent the preferred conditions relevant to all mental health service delivery. The core program standards define the key service components to be achieved within each of the core programs.

Program planning reflects developmental differences across the age span. Program components are provided within each health district, through partnerships/service agreements among/between districts or through designated sites which serve the entire population. Ultimately, location of services must be determined both by need and by quality considerations associated with community characteristics, capacity and critical mass required to maintain provider skill base.

The standards are intended to provide guidance for quality service delivery and reduce variations across the province, while maintaining flexibility to adapt approaches to unique district, community and organization conditions.

Read the full Standards for Mental Health Services in Nova Scotia document (PDF- 225p)

• Generic Mental Health Standards
• Core Mental Health Program Standards
  • Mental Health Promotion, Advocacy, Prevention and Education
  • Outpatient and Outreach Mental Health Program
  • Community Mental Health Supports
  • Inpatient Services
  • Speciality Services:
    • Eating Disorders
    • Sexually Aggressive Youth
    • Forensic Mental Health Assessment for Youth
    • Early Psychosis
    • Seniors Mental Health
    • Concurrent Disorders
    • Neurodevelopmental Disorders Children and Youth
    • Neurodevelopmental Disorders Adults
    • Forensic Services