Here are a few reputable provincial and national mental health resources that you can access virtually as a young person in Ontario.
First and foremost, to uncover signs and symptoms of a child’s or a young person’s mental health issues, consult https://www.ontario.ca/page/children-and-youth-mental-health-signs-and-symptoms
In case of an emergency, please call 911 or head to your closest emergency or hospital.
Youth Mental Health Canada
Phone Number: 647-952-9642
Fill an online contact form here https://ymhc.ngo/contact/
Address: 51 Stuart St. Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 1B5
Office Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Drop-in Hours: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Make an appointment here https://ymhc.ngo/contact/drop-in/
Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YMHECanada , Twitter: https://twitter.com/YMHCanada , YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4DmXoL0nA83nFWBfZg1t-A , Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youth_mental_health/
Ontario Mental Health Services for Children and Youth
Toll-free: 1-866-821-7770
For folks with hearing disabilities:
TTY: 1-800-387-559
Fax: 416-212-1977
Email: https://www.ontario.ca/feedback/contact-us?id=39472&nid=53392
Address: (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services) – 77 Wellesley Street West, PO Box 156, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2S9
Youth Assisting Youth
Website: https://youthassistingyouth.com/
Phone Number: 416-932-1919
Fax: 416-932-1934
Toll Free: 1-877-932-1919
Email: mail@yay.org
Address: 5734 Yonge Street, #401, Toronto, Ontario, M2M 4E7
Helplines
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
- Children and youth
- Professional counselling, information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being
- Via web post, and live chat
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Free, anonymous and confidential
- Call 1-800-668-6868 (professional counsellor)
- Text: CONNECT to 686868 (trained volunteer Crisis Responder)
Good2Talk
Website: https://good2talk.ca/
- Youth between 17-25
- Post-secondary Ontario students
- Professional counselling, information and referrals, well-being, and addictions
- Free, confidential and anonymous helpline
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Call 1-866-925-5454 (professional counsellor)
- Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868 (trained volunteer Crisis Responder)
Photo by Ava Sol via Unsplash
Mental Health Helpline
Website: http://www.mentalhealthhelpline.ca/
- All ages
- Information about counselling services and support in your community
- Listens, provide strategies, and offers support to help you meet your goals
- Basic education about mental illness
- Call 1-866-531-2600
Ontario Distress Centres
Website: http://www.dcontario.org/
- All ages
- A free telephone help-line for folk experiencing emotional distress (suicide included)
- Listening and referral services mainly through highly trained volunteers
- Most centres: open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Photo by Dan Meyers via Unsplash
- Call a distress centre in your area here http://www.dcontario.org/centres.html
Resources
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Website: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/index.aspx
- Pediatric health and research center: family-centred patient care for children and youth 18 and under
- Specialized programs for eating disorders, early language development, autism, psychiatric mental health, telepsychiatry, and sexual assault
Children’s Mental Health Ontario
Website: http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/
- Represents and supports providers of child and youth mental health treatment services
- Includes 85 accredited children’s mental health centres providing support to families and treatment to young people with mental health conditions
- No cost services
- Find a children’s mental health centre in your community here http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/
Mindyourmind
Website: https://mindyourmind.ca/
- Resources, information, and tools to manage crisis, stress, and mental health-related problems for youth
- Inspires youth to reach out, get help, or help struggling friends
You are worth taking care of. And if the burden gets too heavy on your own, it’s important to know where to turn.
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