PARI-MP, the Dalhousie Medical School, the Professionals' Support Program of the Medical Society of Nova Scotia and the New Brunswick Medical Society have banded together and created the Residents PIETA Program to provide confidential helpers across the Maritime Provinces for residents. Strict confidentiality is essential to the PIETA Program.

These helpers, be they psychologists, counsellors, financial advisors or psychiatrists, are not affiliated with the Medical School or any hospital program. The Coordinator of the PIETA Program and the PIETA physicians, Dr. Robert Frederickson and Dr. Janice Goodwin, family physicians, will discuss with you your concerns and help you choose the most appropriate helper for your specific problem. Services are also available for spouses, partners and family. All discussions are strictly confidential.

PIETA means compassion. These individual physicians have been chosen and have agreed to work with the PIETA Program because they care.

Prevent drug, alcohol or emotional disease.

Identify with you the nature and degree of you or a colleague's problem.

Educate and counsel as to how to solve or stop progression of the problem.

Treat or refer to treatment confidentially should disease be present.

Acceptance of the problems and the need for treatment.

If a resident recognizes that he or she has a drug/alcohol or psychiatric problem, they may contact PIETA. However, many residents with such problems would not voluntarily seek help. Potential problems may be identified by peers, faculty, friends or family. In this event, a concerned individual can approach the PIETA program.

If you are concerned about yourself or one of your peers, CALL THE CONFIDENTIAL HELP LINE at (902) 468-8215 (All calls returned within 24 hours).

Please also visit the Resident Support Services page of this web site for additional information.

OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES:

Residents can also call PARI-MP directly for physician-at-risk matters, (902) 473-4091 or 473-7861.
Dalhousie Counseling and Psychological Services , 494-2081, Room 409 (4th floor) Student Union Building, Professional and confidential counseling free of charge. Appointments required, some same-day appointments available.
Dalhousie Office of Human Rights, Equity & Harassment Prevention, 494-1137, Room 2, Henry Hicks Administration Building, Education, resources, prevention, to provide fair procedures for handling complaints. http://hrehp.dal.ca/
Dalhousie Chaplains , 494 2287, Room 437 (4th floor) Student Union Building, Confidential counseling on personal and spiritual issues. Available and receptive to all students regardless of religious background.
Alcoholics Anonymous , 461-1119, Self-help group for those with a drinking problem who want to do something about it.
Avalon Centre , 425-0122, 5670 Spring Garden Rd., 24 hour sexual assault crisis line, counseling and support groups for survivors of sexual abuse.
B-Glad (Bisexuals, Gays, and Lesbians at Dalhousie), 494 1256, Operates out of the Student Union Building, regular meetings and social events.
Canadian Mental Health Association , 455-5445, 2786 Agricola Street, Rm. 216, Education, referral systems, social support systems.
Eating Disorders Clinic , 473-6288, Dedicated to helping individuals overcome anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, provides education and skill development, family support groups.
Family Services Association , 420-1980, Counseling for individuals, couples, and families.
Gambling Awareness , 1-888-347-8888, Help line, counseling for gamblers or those living with a gambler.
Home of the Guardian Angel , 422-7964, 6345 Coburg Rd., Adoption and pregnancy counseling, single parent centre, prenatal classes.
Narcotics Anonymous , 454-2913, Self-help group for those with a drug problem who want to do something about it.
Halifax Sexual Health Centre, 6009 Quinpool Rd., 455-9656, Free pregnancy testing, unintended pregnancy options counseling, morning after pills, STI testing, anonymous HIV testing.
Public Legal Education Society of Nova Scotia, 454-2198, Legal information line with a counselor, referral services to a lawyer.
The Self Help Connection , 466-2011, 63 King St., Dartmouth, Province-wide directory of self-help groups.