Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Are you feeling unsafe at school?
Are you worried about a friend, classmate or someone else?
Are you unsure about talking to a teacher or going to the principal’s office?

Use the OCDSB Safe Schools Reporting Tool .  It’s a private and anonymous way for
students to share their concerns.


Additional Resources


Below are links to a variety of mental health resources for both urgent and non-urgent care.
If someone is unsafe, or is an imminent risk to themselves or others, please call 911.  

Included are also Identity-Specific resources.; If you would like to also discuss resources with your (or your child's) guidance counselor, and would like help with translation or understanding, please let us know! 

 

Urgent Help


YSB-24/7 Crisis Line & Chat Services available for children and youth ages 18 & under and for parents, guardians and friends concerned about a young person in crisis.  613-260-2360 or online chat.


Distress Centre of Ottawa-Carleton Available to all residents regardless of age.  Crisis Line 613-238-3311 or chat service 


LGBTQ Youthline   Provides confidential, informed, LGBTTQ2SI peer support that affirms and supports the experiences of youth (29 & under) 1-800-268-9688. Text or live chat is also available


Hope for Wellness Helpline - Available for all Indigenous peoples across Canada, offers experienced and culturally competent counsellors 1-855-242-3310 or chat.  Phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.


Métis Nation of Ontario - This is a 24-hour Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line. Call 1-877-767-7572.


Kids Help Phone - Provides non-judgmental, inclusive services available to young people across Canada 24/7. 1-800-668-6868 or chat. Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team - Responds to calls from individuals, family members, and professionals in the community, providing support for mental health crises through assessment, short-term intervention, links to community supports, and liaison with other health and social service providers. 613-722-6914


Interval House of Ottawa Crisis line: 613-234-5181


Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline - Provides confidential, multilingual, support to connect victims and survivors to emergency, transitional and long term services in communities across Canada. 1-833-900-1010 (24/7)


Non-Urgent Mental Health Supports


1Call1Click helps children, youth and families connect with the right mental health and addiction services and care when they need it. Visit


Counselling Connect - Provides free access to a same-day or next day phone or video counselling.


Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Services - Free mental health services for children under age 12.


Youth Services Bureau-Mental Health Services - For youth ages 12-18 yrs & their families 613-562-3004


Parents Lifeline of Eastern Ontario - 9:00am to 7:00pm, 613-321-3211

211 Ontario - Community and social services information.


Walk-In Counselling Clinic - Offers everyone; adults, children, youth and couples, immediate and free counselling with qualified Registered Counsellors in many locations in the Ottawa area.


Family Services Ottawa


Rideauwood Addictions and Family Services 613-724-4881 


YouTurn Youth Support Services


Bereaved Families of Ontario, Ottawa Region - Inspiring hope and healing for people who are grieving.


Unsafe at Home Ottawa - Chat, text or send a WhatsApp message to 613-704-5535. Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre - Offers support, resources and hope to those who are affected by an eating disorder.


Indigenous Services

Non-Insured Health Benefits - This is provided based on Status and N Number. Call General NIHB Inquiries at 1-800-640-0642 (toll free) and ask for the list of practitioners in Ottawa. This service includes 20+ sessions of government paid mental health counselling support per year.

Free mental health counselling for those who have attended residential school, or have a close family member who attended residential school, regardless of status or N number.


National Indian Residential School Crisis Line - This provides support for former students and those affected. Emotional and crisis referral services can be accessed by calling the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.


Inuuqatigiit Center for Children, Youth and Families

Métis Nation of Ontario - Call 1-877-767-7572 for the 24/7 crisis and addictions line, or 613-217-3143 for children and youth looking for non-urgent support services.


Minwaashin Lodge Centre for Indigenous Women

Hope for Wellness - Telephone counselling available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-855-242-3310.


Talk 4 Healing - This is a service for Indigenous women. Call 1-855-554-HEAL.


Odawa Native Friendship Centre


Wabano Centre 613-748-0657



Resources for Black, African and Caribbean Communities

Black Youth Helpline 416-285-9944

Jaku Konbit - Black youth support group - Call 613-567-0600

RiseUp powered by Kids Help Phone  - Text RISE to 686868 or visit their website.

Somali Centre for Family Services 613-526-2075

Black Racialized Individuals Support Channel (BRISC) 613-820-0853 
Available to children, youth and adults the program provides support via telephone for racialized individuals. All Ottawa residents who require support are welcome to access this service. Support is offered in English, French, Somali, Arabic, Swahili and Lingala.

Resources for Muslim Families

Naseeha Mental Health - Call or text 7 days a week for mental health support for Muslim and non-Muslim youth: 1 (866) 627-3342.

These Mosques offer free counselling for children, youth and adults by appointment: 

Muslim Family Services of Ottawa  (613) 562-2273  Non-profit community service and mental health organization. Culturally responsive counseling and psychotherapy center. Sliding scale fee/subsidy. Services are available to all residents.

NISA Helpline1-888-315-NISA (6472) Confidential, anonymous and free 12-hr helpline for Muslim women across North America that offers mental health support and peer counselling. 

Sakeenah Canada1-888-671-3446  email[email protected]
Shelters, financial assistance, counselling, case work, safety and sustainability planning, cultural sensitivity training. 

Resources for the 2SLGBTQ+ Community

Youth Services Bureau: 24/7 Crisis Line can be reached at 613-260-2360. Online crisis chat available.
Spectrum youth group provides an opportunity to connect with peers.

LGBTQ Youthline Provides service for youth, by youth that affirms the experiences and aspirations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, 2-spirited, queer. 1-800-268-9688. Visit
 

Around the Rainbow A community-based program that provides a full range of education, counselling and support services offered by Family Services Ottawa.
Kindspace
Wabano Two Spirit Youth Circle: For youth ages 12-17
Trans Lifeline Peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning peers. 1-877-330-6366

Resources for Families New to Canada

Catholic Centre for Immigrants 613-232-9634


Immigrant Women’s Services 613-729-3145


Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) 613-725-5671 x316


YMCA/YWCA Newcomer Information Centre Provides access to vital information and referral services. There is no cost to participate.


Jewish Family Services Ottawa: Offers multi-lingual Settlement Services to all newcomers, no matter your cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.

Resources for Jewish Families

Jewish Family Services 613-722-2225 JFS offers counselling programs for children, youth and families, settlement support as well as financial assistance for low income Jewish people.


Ten Yad of Ottawa 613-618-0485 A grassroots community organization dedicated to helping individuals and families within the Jewish community during life-altering situations.


Ottawa Kosher Food Bank
A food bank dedicated to providing kosher food to Ottawa families who are in need.

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