A Capital Health pilot project aims to help clients of the Metro Turning Point shelter deal with addiction issues.
The health authority's addiction prevention and treatment services will partner with Shelter Nova Scotia in the project, which will begin in the new year.
People who have alcohol, drug, or gambling problems or mental health challenges will get counselling at the shelter and improved access to Capital Health programs.
As well, shelter staff will get advanced training so they can better support their clients.
"A lot of is is around how to approach clients who are having trouble with addictions, how to start a conversation with them, how to assess addiction," said Rachel Boehm, spokeswoman for Capital Health’s addictions program, in an interview Tuesday.
"There might be a set of questions you might go through with a client to see if they need professional treatment and what kind of treatment they need."
The program would reach clients who might not otherwise seek help from addictions services, she said.
"So people would, for instance, be able to access our counsellors right there at the shelter rather than having to take the bus across town, which might be difficult if you don’t have pocket money."
About 80 per cent of people who stay in local shelters suffer from addiction and mental health issues.
"Many feel lost or hopeless when it comes to finding help," said Bill Pratt, executive director of Shelter Nova Scotia, in a news release Tuesday.
"With a stronger and more visible shelter-based presence, (addictions counsellors) can build relationships with the most vulnerable people in our communities."
A Capital Health team also is planning a holiday meal for shelter clients, while staff from across the district are collecting new socks to help shelter clients stay warm and dry this winter.
