Pandemic pressures: Nova Scotia offers pioneering helpline exclusively for men
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia has established what is believed to be Canada’s first 24-hour helpline exclusively for men in response to an urgent need that arose as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.
Soon after the province was locked down in March 2020, officials noticed an increasing number of men were calling the province’s 211 service, which offers information about government and community services.
“The service providers were saying, ‘Something is happening here,'” says Nancy MacDonald, executive director of the Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia.
It soon became clear that more men were actively seeking helpas they struggled with job losses, relationship breakdowns, loneliness, anger and the added stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic.