HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is not the only one grappling with a shortage of mental health professionals, Premier Stephen McNeil said Thursday.
Earlier this month, the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow announced it would temporarily close its eight-bed mental health unit in August because of a staffing shortage.
The closure could last several months.
Opposition parties have called on the Liberals to intervene, with Progressive Conservative critic Chris d'Entremont saying the province's mental health system is in crisis.
McNeil said the staffing shortage at the Aberdeen Hospital is an ongoing issue.
"There's obviously an HR problem," he said. "At various times, it's been nurses that's been a shortage or psychiatrists. In this case, it's both."
McNeil said efforts are underway to recruit new psychiatrists and nurses as quickly as possible. However, he said the search for new nurses in particular is difficult given a shortage in other jurisdictions.
He stressed the government takes mental health issues seriously despite the impending unit closure in New Glasgow.
"Any time when you hear that there's a Nova Scotian who's requiring mental health services and not getting it, that's a concern."
