Mental health support is now available to volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of ground search and rescue teams and their families.

The province says it’s free and available 24/7 in person, by phone or online.

It includes counselling, financial and nutrition advice, stress management and more.

It’s part of a two-year pilot program to help the government better understand the mental health needs of people in these positions.

Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health says it’s “to help the helpers who do so much for us.”

There are about 6,000 volunteer firefighters and 1,200 ground search and rescue volunteers in Nova Scotia.