Sweetgrass & Sage Counselling and Assessment Services

08/02/2025

We received a message from a Nova Scotia Paramedic advising his disability case manager from WCB in Nova Scotia has advised him his therapy will be cut off soon ... and it is time he learned to "self manage" his PTSD symptoms on his own.

We didn't know that the disability case managers at WCB are experts on PTSD and mental health?

A disability case manager who has never seen the inside of a ambulance, police car, fire truck, prison etc. has zero business or credibility telling heroes what they do or don't need to heal from trauma they wouldn't even be able to imagine.

He even shared the message he received from his disability case manager word for word with us.

Little wonder people feel so ashamed when they struggle with mental health issues when they are being told to shake it off .... all so WCB can save money.

Please see below.

"Self manage your PTSD". 😆

Imagine telling someone with a serious physical injury to shake it off and "self manage".

1-2 hours of therapy a week to undo 30 years of being first responder?

4-8 hours of therapy a month ... all year round ... wouldn't even scratch the surface of the chaos any first responder has experienced in their career.

And now WCB wants to cut that as well?

Did WCB find a miracle cure to PTSD and trauma they haven't shared with the rest of the world?

Read any book about PTSD ... It is physical damage to the brain. In less of 4 years of therapy .... he's good to go home and figure it out? All on his own?

These are the same organizations who tell people to reach out for help when they need it. Then shame them into isolation for asking for help.

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Yes, I can confirm after reading through the reports provided to me, that working towards a discharge date is reasonable.

Yes, we do support you going forward with regards to your workplace injury. In supporting you, it is important to provide you with the skill to be able to self-manage your PTSD. Through the reports received I have seen that you and (therapist name has been left out for confidential reasons) have been working of coping skills for your PTSD for some time. I do believe that it is important to be able to use these skills to help manage your day-to-day activities. For these reasons, I believe that transitions off of counselling is our next step.

06/08/2025

Tips to Help Your Child or Youth Transition from School to Summer

As the school year winds down, many families face the challenge of supporting children and youth through the transition to summer. Here are some tips to help your child or teen navigate this important change with confidence and ease.

Create Predictable Routines:
Summer often means less structure, which can be overwhelming for children. Establish a flexible but consistent daily routine to provide a sense of safety and stability, key ingredients in promoting mental wellness.

Celebrate Strengths and Achievements: Recognize your child’s growth this school year. This positive reinforcement builds confidence and resilience for the months ahead.

Keep Social Connections Alive: Encourage your child to maintain friendships and family bonds over the summer. Social support is essential to mental wellness, especially for youth navigating complex challenges.

Plan Meaningful Activities:
Engage your child in activities that spark joy, creativity, and learning—whether it’s nature walks, arts, or community programs. These factors contribute to a balanced and healthy summer experience.

Maintain Open Communication:
Check in regularly with your child about their feelings and experiences. Our commitment to “knowing you and being known by you” reminds us that listening is a powerful tool to foster trust and safety.

Access Support When Needed:
If your child struggles with the transition, remember that there are
professionals who can offer a continuum of evidence-based mental health services, from prevention and early intervention to specialized treatment tailored to the unique needs of children and youth.

(adapted from the George Hull Centre)

05/20/2025

Service providers please join us on May 28th for an overview around family law and family violence in Nova Scotia. Please RSVP as space is limited: 902-640-3044 or email at info@secondstory.ca

05/17/2025

Proud to be an ally and promote a safe place.

05/14/2025

Lack of housing options remains one of the most persistent barriers to Nova Scotians fleeing gender-based violence. We need a housing plan that actually works.

05/05/2025

05/05/2025

https://www.stu.ca/media/stu/site-content/current-students/indigenous-infographics/MMIW-scaled-36-x-48.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6Uxs-MF7TtPoriItVD8rK1HTSDCoOxyTTpsyW-cqxArKI6HJNHDZhfox7Ldw_aem_n--vm2mk1hwqb3H-yFGDlg

04/08/2025

DRUG HARMS ALERT
(See photo)

No photo of the drug was available.


Please share through your communication networks (e.g. posters in your service locations, conversations with individual clients, social media postings, etc.).

Please also include the following harm reduction messages:

Drug Alert: Community Harm – Opioid of unexpected strength

If you use drugs from the unregulated supply (the ‘street supply’), you don’t know what is in them and you don’t know how strong they are. Sometimes, stimulants like crack co***ne are contaminated with an opioid.

Why Is This Dangerous?

🚨 If the stimulant you are using is contaminated with an opioid, you are at high risk of an overdose, which could be fatal.
🚨 There are extremely powerful opioids in the drug supply, and taking even a small amount can be fatal (cause death), especially if you do not have tolerance to opioids.
🚨 Not all opioids can be detected with fentanyl test strips, so people may not know they are taking them.

How to Stay Safe: Let someone know, start low, and go slow

✔ Do NOT use drugs alone – Use with someone you trust or call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS. They will stay on the phone with you while you use, so they can get you help if needed.
✔ Start with a very small amount – These drugs are stronger than what people may expect or be used to.
✔ Have naloxone ready – Naloxone can help with opioid overdoses, but it will NOT work on benzodiazepines like bromazolam. Even if you're unsure what substance caused an overdose, always give naloxone—it won’t harm the person, but it may help if opioids are involved.
✔ Call 911 immediately for any overdose – Even if naloxone is used, emergency help is still needed.
✔ Check your drugs – Pills that look like real medicine could be fake and contain deadly drugs. Always assume street drugs are risky.
✔ Avoid mixing drugs – Combining opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.
✔ Go to an overdose prevention site – If available in your area, these sites provide a safe space with medical staff who can help in case of an emergency.

Where to Get Help:

🏥 Overdose Prevention Sites (Supervised places where people can use drugs safely and get help if needed):

ReFIX Halifax: 2151 Gottingen St. (902-209-9370)

PeerSix Sydney: 75 Prince St. (902-567-1766)

🆘 If someone overdoses:

Call 911 immediately – Tell them someone is unresponsive.

Give naloxone if you have it. More than one dose may be needed if high potency opioids are involved. If there are no opioids, naloxone will be ineffective but will not cause harm – give it anyway.

Stay with them and make sure they can breathe.

If they stop breathing, perform rescue breaths until help arrives.

⚠️ If benzodiazepines are involved, naloxone will NOT work (but will not cause harm if used) —emergency medical care is needed.

Get Free Naloxone Kits:

You can get naloxone for free at most pharmacies and harm reduction programs. To learn more, visit:
🔗 Take Home Naloxone

Know Your Rights:

Under the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, you cannot be charged for drug possession if you call 911 to help someone overdosing. Do not be afraid to call for help.
🔗 Your Rights – Good Samaritan Act

📝 Submit a drug alert
If you come across suspicious drugs or someone has a bad reaction, you can report it to NSDrugAlert@nshealth.ca.

04/08/2025

09/26/2024

https://youtu.be/gRWWnRHcmvQ?si=Do5dXReqIdXZIKfQ

When Jim Davis saw on the news that a Canadian soldier had been killed in Afghanistan, he thought to himself, “My son is serving there… but so are 2,000 othe...

09/10/2024

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