Professional Support Program

Doctor thinking at his desk

Professional Support Program

Doctors Nova Scotia’s Professional Support Program (PSP) provides confidential peer-to-peer support for members and their families who are dealing with personal or professional problems. Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association and Nova Scotia Dental Association members and their families may also access support, as well as dental and veterinary students, and veterinary assistants.

The PSP program responds to the mental health and wellness needs of members and also supports initiatives, workshops and other resources that promote wellness, resiliency and balanced living. Based across Nova Scotia, PSP counsellors have no affiliation with licensing and regulatory bodies or related university training programs of the professions they serve. 

CMA Wellness Support Line

The Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) Wellness Support Line, is tailored for physicians, learners and their families to manage the stressors they face. The support line provides short-term, solution focused support, 24-7. You do not need to be a member of the CMA to access the service.

Calls are handled by a team trained to address the unique needs and challenges faced by medical learners and physicians. The Wellness Support Line provides immediate, urgent crisis support, as well as help with everyday wellness issues. The team offers counselling and mental health supports, matching callers to appropriate services.

The service is tied to the PSP through a dedicated toll-free line – the same phone number you would use to access the PSP.

Funded by the Scotiabank and MD Financial Management, this CMA offering enhances the current PSP offering provided to DNS members, by including counselling and other services that are often recommended as part of the PSP experience. Callers will be provided with links to provincial health programs to augment support, and referrals to other services when appropriate.

Help is a call away

You can access these services by calling 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free) or by emailing professionalsupport@doctorsns.com.

COVID-19 resources

Who we help

The PSP supports a variety of health professionals and their families, including practising and retired physicians, dentists, and veterinarians; medical students, residents and fellows; veterinary students and assistants; dental students; and the partners and dependent children of those professionals.

Confidential support

All information physicians share with the PSP counsellors is confidential, including personal and health information, and the fact that they have contacted the PSP for help. Counsellors do not collect, use or disclose information without consent or as required by law.