How to Access Sexual Health Services in Halifax: A Brief Primer
No one wants to talk about it, but there are times when some — if not most — of us might need a bit of help, down there.
Here’s where to access sexual health services in Halifax:
The Halifax Sexual Health Clinic
The HSHC provides a wide range of clinical services by appointment including:
The Compassionate Contraceptives program
STI testing
HIV testing
Transgender and gender-affirming health
They also offer free safer sex supplies and a variety of workshops.
Clinical services are free with a health card and they are totally confidential and youth friendly, which means they do not require parental consent.
Appointments can be booked by calling in. The average wait time, while not exactly ideal, is about 4-6 weeks from the day you call according to their website.
Find more here:
The Dickson Building, part of the QEII Health Sciences Centre
The Dickson Building offers STI testing with and without symptoms via appointments that are available 48 hours in advance. This could be a good option if it’s a time-sensitive issue.
Appointments can be booked online through the following link:
https://www.nshealth.ca/clinics-programs-and-services/sti-and-std-clinic#cps
Well Woman Clinics
The Well Woman Clinics offer various health-related services and health education across the province of Nova Scotia, all of them delivered by a female doctor or nurse.
Service vary by location but can include:
STI testing
Pap testing
Contraceptive care
Except for the Halifax Sexual Health Centre, these clinics are located outside of Halifax, but they could work well if you have access to a car.
The STI Care Now Initiative
This new initiative is designed to help people over 15 get tested through free, at-home testing kits and virtual care.
To check out if this option is right for you, fill out the online form available here:
https://ocean.cognisantmd.com/intake/IntakePortal.html?eReqRef=902eedc2-795a-4eb4-81f0-027eb32924af
The Wije’winen Health Centre
This health center is delivered through the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society and provides relevant care to members of the Urban Indigenous community in the HRM.
Appointments are available to Indigenous peoples only and can be made by calling.
Find out more about their services here:
https://mymnfc.com/programs-home/
Avalon
Avalon provides support for individuals affected by sexualized violence, including a nurse examiner program for those who have experienced sexualized violence in the past seven days. They also offer a community-based trauma therapy program.
Both programs are available across Nova Scotia and can be accessed by calling.
Learn more about their services here:
Sugar Health
While not an actual location, per say, Sugar Health is Nova Scotia’s sexual, gender, and reproductive health registry and warmline. It aims to connect community members to essential SGRH care and helps forge links between health care providers and clients.
Their website is an excellent resource for finding out where to access the sexual health services you need. You can search for what service you need along with your location to find a provider close to you.
You can also call or text for additional support.
Check it out here:
Dalhousie University’s Health & Wellness
Dal provides sexual health resources to its students through its Health & Wellness division.
Students can book an appointment online to access many services including:
Birth control education
STI screening
Pregnancy tests
Abortion care
2SLGBTQ+ services
Prescriptions
Find out more here:
https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/health-and-wellness/my-health/sexual-health.html
St. Mary’s University’s Student Health Clinic
Similar to Dal, St. Mary’s offers sexual health services to its students through its Student Health Clinic. These include:
Birth control
Emergency contraception
LGBTQSIA+ health
Pap smears
Pregnancy testing
STI testing
https://www.smu.ca/healthclinic/index.html
Dealing with sexual health might not be fun, but it is important. Hopefully, these resources are there to help when it counts.
All Photos: Deon Black