A few HELPFUL Resources
During the December Break 2021 - Crisis Options - Mental Health Emergency - Canada
In an emergency, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call Hospital Emergency Services: 9-1-1. Be aware that if you call 9-1-1, police may attend, even if not requested.
In a mental health emergency, whenever there is time to consider your options, consider agencies that can provide direct support and also help you evaluate safer, local next steps.
The three organizations listed below are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I recommend calling one of the 3 agencies below as a first step; A caring person on the other end of a phone line can make a difference. If you need additional options, you can get help with figuring this out.
HELPLINE 24/7 -- Canada
http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca | Toll-free Phone #: 1-833-456-4566 24/7 | TEXT: 45645 Daily 4pm-12 midnight ET
HELPLINE 24/7 -- Ontario
ConnexOntario | www.connexontario.ca | Toll-free Phone #: 1-866-531-2600 | Webchat or Email with a System Navigation Specialist
HELPLINE 24/7/365 -- Greater Toronto
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto | www.dcogt.com/408-help-line | Phone: 416-408-4357 Available: 24/7/365 | TEXT 45645 Available Daily 4pm-12 midnight ET
During the Covid-19 crisis
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
https://www.who.int/
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
WELLNESS TOGETHER CANADA
https://ca.portal.gs/
PUBLIC HEALTH ONTARIO
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/
TORONTO RESPONSE - COVID-19
https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
Other Resources
Please note that downtown Toronto resources are listed below where multiple options exist.
FIRST NATIONS and INUIT HOPE FOR WELLNESS HELP LINE 24/7
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ | 1-855-242-3310 | Webchat
KIDS HELP PHONE 24/7 (up to age 30)
www.kidshelpphone.ca | 1-800-668-6868 | Text #686868 (#CONNECT) | Live Chat Available 7 pm to midnight ET
HELPLINE (Students at Ontario’s publicly-funded colleges & universities) 24/7
Good2Talk--www.good2talk.ca |
In Ontario — Phone: 1-866-925-5454 | Text #GOOD2TALKON to 686868
In Nova Scotia — Phone: 1-833-292-3698 | Text #GOOD2TALKNS to 686868
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE 24/7
Children's Aid Society of Toronto: http://torontocas.ca/ | 416-924-4646
RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS HELPLINE 24/7
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape | | 416-597-8808 | https://trccmwar.ca/ | Email: crisis@trccmwar.ca | Support for Black survivors of sexual and gendered violence: Email: Claudette@trccmwar.ca
ASSAULTED WOMEN’S HELPLINE 24/7 (200 languages)
www.awhl.org | 1-866-863-0511 | TTY: 1-866-863-7868 | Text #7233 (#SAFE–Rogers, Fido, Bell, Telus cellphones)
FEMMES VICTIMES DE VIOLENCE HELPLINE 24/7 (toujours à l’écoute - Français)
www.femaide.ca | 1-877-336-2433
REPORTING NEGLECT OR ABUSE - ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY 24/7
ReportOn | https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/reportON/ | reportONdisability@ontario.ca | 1-800-575-2222
REPORTING ELDER ABUSE
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario | http://www.eapon.ca/ | 1-866-299-1011
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE INFORMATION 24/7
CAMH | www.camh.ca | 416-535-8501
AMBULANCE PARAMEDIC EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES UNIT
Non-emergency 416-392-2000 | Email ems@toronto.ca. | Emergency 9-1-1 (Please be aware that police may attend even if not requested.)
TEXT AND CHAT SERVICE -- Youth
Youthspace.ca (NEED2 Suicide Prevention, Education & Support) | www.youthspace.ca | Youth Chat/Text (6pm-midnight PST): https://www.youthspace.ca/ | E-counselling via email: https://www.youthspace.ca/youthspace-resources/ecounselling/ (responses within 5 days)
TEXT AND CHAT SERVICE -- Distress and Crisis Ontario
ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis Service | Crisis Text: “SUPPORT” to 258258 | Crisis Chat (2pm-2am ET): www.dcontario.org/ontx.html
VANAULEY STREET YMCA CENTRE FOR YOUTH
https://ymcagta.org/about-us/our-new-ys/vanauley-street-ymca | 416-504-9700
HOMELESS HELP
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/homeless-help/ | Call 311 for advice
YOUNG ADULT MENTAL HEALTH
Stella's Place | https://stellasplace.ca/ | 416-461-2345 | BeanBagChat (download app) - Sun - Thur 4 pm - 9 pm
CHILDREN’S SERVICES - CITY OF TORONTO
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/children-parenting/ | Email childcare@toronto.ca | 311 or Subsidy information 416-338-8888 press 2
LGBTTQQ2SI SUPPORT
LGBT youthline | www.youthline.ca | 647-694-4275 | Text #647-694-4275 | Webchat 4 pm - 9:30 pm EST
And
The 519 | https://www.the519.org/ | Email: Info@The519.org | Front desk: 416-392-6874
SEXUAL HEALTH / HIV-AIDS TESTING
www.sexualhealthontario.ca
And
TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH
publichealth@toronto.ca | 416-338-7600
Hassle Free Clinic https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-clinics/sexual-health-clinics/ | 416-922-0566
SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR GAMBLING - ConnexOntario
www.connexontario.ca | Toll Free 1-866-531-2600 | Webchat | Email
NEWCOMER SERVICES
Orientation to Ontario | https://settlement.org/o2o/ | 1-885-626-0002
SENIORS HELP LINE (Toronto)
https://torontoseniorshelpline.ca/ | 416-217-2077 | Toll-free: 1-877-621-2077 (Mondays - Fridays 9am - 8 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays (statutory): 10 am - 6 pm.
INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - Niiwin Wendaanimak (Four Winds) | Queen West Site
https://pqwchc.org/programs-services/niiwin-wendaanimak-four-winds/detail-on-niiwin-wendaanimak-four-winds-indigenous-health-and-wellness-program/ | 416‑703‑8482 ext 2426. Hours of Operation (Parkdale): Mondays - Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm, Fridays 9 am - 5 pm.
VICTIM SUPPORT LINE - Toronto 24/7
http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/ovss/ | 416-314-2447 | Toll-free: 1-888-579-2888
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, COMMUNITY, COURT AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS
For Women: Elizabeth Fry Toronto | https://efrytoronto.org/ | 416-924-3708 | Toll-free: 1-855-924-3708
For Men: John Howard Society (Pardon Program for men/women) | https://johnhoward.on.ca/toronto/ | 416-925-4386 | Toll-free: 1-866-265-4434
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS -- Toronto
www.aatoronto.org | info@aatoronto.org | 416-487-5591 | TTY 416-928-2521
THERAPY EXPLOITATION LINK LINE
www.therapyabuse.org | info@therapyabuse.org
MEDICAL CLINIC / GENERAL PRACTITIONER
https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner
TELEHEALTH ONTARIO: Toll Free 1-866-797-0000
COLLEGE OF REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPISTS OF ONTARIO
www.crpo.ca | info@crpo.ca | 416-479-4330 | Toll-free 1-844-712-1364
Other: www.211.ca
Other: www.eMentalHealth.ca
Please note: This is information is provided as a starting point for finding resources or as an example of resources which may exist for specific communities or within specific areas/regions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of posting but information may be changed by service providers at any time. Where possible, check with sources.
Last edited: December 23, 2021
In an emergency, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call Hospital Emergency Services: 9-1-1. Be aware that if you call 9-1-1, police may attend, even if not requested.
In a mental health emergency, whenever there is time to consider your options, consider agencies that can provide direct support and also help you evaluate safer, local next steps.
The three organizations listed below are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I recommend calling one of the 3 agencies below as a first step; A caring person on the other end of a phone line can make a difference. If you need additional options, you can get help with figuring this out.
HELPLINE 24/7 -- Canada
http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca | Toll-free Phone #: 1-833-456-4566 24/7 | TEXT: 45645 Daily 4pm-12 midnight ET
HELPLINE 24/7 -- Ontario
ConnexOntario | www.connexontario.ca | Toll-free Phone #: 1-866-531-2600 | Webchat or Email with a System Navigation Specialist
HELPLINE 24/7/365 -- Greater Toronto
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto | www.dcogt.com/408-help-line | Phone: 416-408-4357 Available: 24/7/365 | TEXT 45645 Available Daily 4pm-12 midnight ET
During the Covid-19 crisis
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
https://www.who.int/
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
WELLNESS TOGETHER CANADA
https://ca.portal.gs/
PUBLIC HEALTH ONTARIO
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/
TORONTO RESPONSE - COVID-19
https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
Other Resources
Please note that downtown Toronto resources are listed below where multiple options exist.
FIRST NATIONS and INUIT HOPE FOR WELLNESS HELP LINE 24/7
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ | 1-855-242-3310 | Webchat
KIDS HELP PHONE 24/7 (up to age 30)
www.kidshelpphone.ca | 1-800-668-6868 | Text #686868 (#CONNECT) | Live Chat Available 7 pm to midnight ET
HELPLINE (Students at Ontario’s publicly-funded colleges & universities) 24/7
Good2Talk--www.good2talk.ca |
In Ontario — Phone: 1-866-925-5454 | Text #GOOD2TALKON to 686868
In Nova Scotia — Phone: 1-833-292-3698 | Text #GOOD2TALKNS to 686868
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE 24/7
Children's Aid Society of Toronto: http://torontocas.ca/ | 416-924-4646
RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS HELPLINE 24/7
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape | | 416-597-8808 | https://trccmwar.ca/ | Email: crisis@trccmwar.ca | Support for Black survivors of sexual and gendered violence: Email: Claudette@trccmwar.ca
ASSAULTED WOMEN’S HELPLINE 24/7 (200 languages)
www.awhl.org | 1-866-863-0511 | TTY: 1-866-863-7868 | Text #7233 (#SAFE–Rogers, Fido, Bell, Telus cellphones)
FEMMES VICTIMES DE VIOLENCE HELPLINE 24/7 (toujours à l’écoute - Français)
www.femaide.ca | 1-877-336-2433
REPORTING NEGLECT OR ABUSE - ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY 24/7
ReportOn | https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/reportON/ | reportONdisability@ontario.ca | 1-800-575-2222
REPORTING ELDER ABUSE
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario | http://www.eapon.ca/ | 1-866-299-1011
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE INFORMATION 24/7
CAMH | www.camh.ca | 416-535-8501
AMBULANCE PARAMEDIC EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES UNIT
Non-emergency 416-392-2000 | Email ems@toronto.ca. | Emergency 9-1-1 (Please be aware that police may attend even if not requested.)
TEXT AND CHAT SERVICE -- Youth
Youthspace.ca (NEED2 Suicide Prevention, Education & Support) | www.youthspace.ca | Youth Chat/Text (6pm-midnight PST): https://www.youthspace.ca/ | E-counselling via email: https://www.youthspace.ca/youthspace-resources/ecounselling/ (responses within 5 days)
TEXT AND CHAT SERVICE -- Distress and Crisis Ontario
ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis Service | Crisis Text: “SUPPORT” to 258258 | Crisis Chat (2pm-2am ET): www.dcontario.org/ontx.html
VANAULEY STREET YMCA CENTRE FOR YOUTH
https://ymcagta.org/about-us/our-new-ys/vanauley-street-ymca | 416-504-9700
HOMELESS HELP
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/homeless-help/ | Call 311 for advice
YOUNG ADULT MENTAL HEALTH
Stella's Place | https://stellasplace.ca/ | 416-461-2345 | BeanBagChat (download app) - Sun - Thur 4 pm - 9 pm
CHILDREN’S SERVICES - CITY OF TORONTO
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/children-parenting/ | Email childcare@toronto.ca | 311 or Subsidy information 416-338-8888 press 2
LGBTTQQ2SI SUPPORT
LGBT youthline | www.youthline.ca | 647-694-4275 | Text #647-694-4275 | Webchat 4 pm - 9:30 pm EST
And
The 519 | https://www.the519.org/ | Email: Info@The519.org | Front desk: 416-392-6874
SEXUAL HEALTH / HIV-AIDS TESTING
www.sexualhealthontario.ca
And
TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH
publichealth@toronto.ca | 416-338-7600
Hassle Free Clinic https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-clinics/sexual-health-clinics/ | 416-922-0566
SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR GAMBLING - ConnexOntario
www.connexontario.ca | Toll Free 1-866-531-2600 | Webchat | Email
NEWCOMER SERVICES
Orientation to Ontario | https://settlement.org/o2o/ | 1-885-626-0002
SENIORS HELP LINE (Toronto)
https://torontoseniorshelpline.ca/ | 416-217-2077 | Toll-free: 1-877-621-2077 (Mondays - Fridays 9am - 8 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays (statutory): 10 am - 6 pm.
INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - Niiwin Wendaanimak (Four Winds) | Queen West Site
https://pqwchc.org/programs-services/niiwin-wendaanimak-four-winds/detail-on-niiwin-wendaanimak-four-winds-indigenous-health-and-wellness-program/ | 416‑703‑8482 ext 2426. Hours of Operation (Parkdale): Mondays - Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm, Fridays 9 am - 5 pm.
VICTIM SUPPORT LINE - Toronto 24/7
http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/ovss/ | 416-314-2447 | Toll-free: 1-888-579-2888
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, COMMUNITY, COURT AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS
For Women: Elizabeth Fry Toronto | https://efrytoronto.org/ | 416-924-3708 | Toll-free: 1-855-924-3708
For Men: John Howard Society (Pardon Program for men/women) | https://johnhoward.on.ca/toronto/ | 416-925-4386 | Toll-free: 1-866-265-4434
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS -- Toronto
www.aatoronto.org | info@aatoronto.org | 416-487-5591 | TTY 416-928-2521
THERAPY EXPLOITATION LINK LINE
www.therapyabuse.org | info@therapyabuse.org
MEDICAL CLINIC / GENERAL PRACTITIONER
https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner
TELEHEALTH ONTARIO: Toll Free 1-866-797-0000
COLLEGE OF REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPISTS OF ONTARIO
www.crpo.ca | info@crpo.ca | 416-479-4330 | Toll-free 1-844-712-1364
Other: www.211.ca
Other: www.eMentalHealth.ca
Please note: This is information is provided as a starting point for finding resources or as an example of resources which may exist for specific communities or within specific areas/regions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of posting but information may be changed by service providers at any time. Where possible, check with sources.
Last edited: December 23, 2021