Mental Health Resources & #RCOServiceChallenge: Mental Health Matters!
It is no surprise that this year has caused a lot of stress for all. Especially now, between the pandemic, the winter months, and the stress of finals season for students, struggles with mental health are expected and completely understandable.
Mental health is an important part of our overall health that needs to be looked after! Unfortunately, it is still a heavily stigmatized aspect of life. Even so, you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about and/or seek help for your mental health.
It is okay not to be okay, and you are not alone. 1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental health struggles at some point in their lives. Below is a list of resources and information for anyone looking for immediate support, counselling, or therapy for their mental health.
Remember: if you are in immediate danger, either to yourself or others, any hospital emergency room will provide you with help and set you up with resources for the future. In the event of an emergency, please do not hesitate to call 911 for help.
Resource List
Within Ottawa:
Distress Centre Ottawa (Available in EN/FR)
Call @ 613-238-3311 – 24/7
Text @ 343-306-5550 from 10am-11pm
https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/i-need-help
Crisis Line (Available in EN/FR)
Call within Ottawa @ 613-722-6914
Call outside Ottawa @1-866-996-0991
https://crisisline.ca/
Offering help with situational crisis, psychosis or suicidal behaviour, and severe depression, anxiety, or suicidal behaviour.
Support Line for African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) Communities (Available in EN)
Call @ 343-571-0097
Monday-Friday, 1-4pm by phone
http://www.swchc.on.ca/programs/support-line-for-african%2C-caribbean%2C-and-black-%28acb%29-communities
Offering emotional support, help with resource navigation, health coaching, and promoting advocacy.
Youth Services Board (Available in EN/FR) – includes Eastern Ontario
Call @ 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 – 24/7 crisis line
Chat online @ chat.ysb.ca – 24/7
Call 613-562-3004 to connect with intake counsellors – available 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
https://www.ysb.ca/services/ysb-mental-health/24-7-crisis-line/
Offering supportive listening, immediate crisis counselling, information and resources, referrals to child and youth service provides in the area, home-based intervention (in Ottawa only, Covid-19 permitting), and short-term follow-up services for those 18 and under.
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy at The Royal Ottawa
https://www.theroyal.ca/osp
**Referral required**
Offering free, short-term, face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults, and counselling and help for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Walk-In/Talk-In Counselling Clinic Ottawa (Available in EN/FR, Arabic, Somali, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin)
Call @ 613-755-2277
Tuesday: Located at the Somerset West Community Health Centre, 12:00pm-6:30pm
Wednesday: Located at the Jewish Family Services, 12:00-8:00pm
Thursday & Friday: Located at Counselling & Family Service Ottawa, 12:00pm-8:00pm (Thursday), 12:00-5:00pm (Friday)
Sunday: Located at Jewish Family Services, 12:00pm-5:00pm
No appointment necessary!
https:// https://walkincounselling.com
https://familyservicesottawa.org/adults/the-walk-in-counselling-clinic-ottawa/
Offering help for depression, anxiety, relationship issues, mental health concerns, alcohol and drug use, personal/work-related stress, trauma, loss, sexuality/intimacy, gender identity/expression, abuse, self-esteem, etc.
Ontario-wide:
BounceBack Ontario: provided by Canadian Mental Health Association for youth and adults 15+
https://bouncebackontario.ca/
Available over the phone or through online video chat
Offering help managing low moods, mild to moderate depression/anxiety, stress and/or worry.
AbilitiCBT: free in Ontario and Manitoba!
https://myicbt.com/home
Offering help for anxiety, Covid-19 related anxiety and stress.
BeaconCBT Digital Therapy: free in Ontario
https://info.mindbeacon.com/btn542?hsCtaTracking=e00dbcef-e033-42fd-b5b3-b46291f2962d%7C93e4ec19-cd71-49a3-96bc-4c33baf7afed
Offering personalized programs, digital messaging services, and tailored readings and activities while working 1-to-1 with a registered therapist.
Path Found: Voicefound. (Available in EN/FR; other languages available upon request)
Call @ 613-763-5332 in Ottawa
Toll-free @ 1-866-239-0558
https://voicefound.ca/our-work/path-found/
For survivors of human trafficking; provides skills, knowledge, and confidence to become meaningfully engaged with community, reduce isolation, and give a sense of belonging.
Strength Found: Voicefound. (Available in EN/FR; other languages available upon request)
Call @ 613-763-5332 in Ottawa
Toll-free @ 1-866-239-0558
https://voicefound.ca/our-work/strength-found/
For adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; provides peer support groups, workshops, and social activities with both virtual and in-person options.
Togetherall: free for Ontarians 16+
https://otn.ca/patients/togetherall
Offering peer support networks to anonymously share feelings, talk and connect with others, take assessments for self-understanding, and join guided support courses on anxiety, depression, quitting smoking, etc.
Canada-wide:
Hope for Wellness – Indigenous Peoples’ Crisis and Counselling (Available in EN/FR; Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut available by request)
Call @ 1-855-242-3310, or use chat box on website
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
Offering 24/7 culturally competent help, mental health counselling, crisis intervention, supportive talking and listening, distress and emotional support.
Kids Help Phone (Available in EN/FR)
Call @ 1-800-668-6868
Text @ 686868
Adults: text WELLNESS to 741741
Connect via Facebook Messenger
https://www.kidshelpphone.ca/
Offering 24/7 help, supportive listening, connecting to resources around your area, and information on various topics (i.e. Covid-19, emotional wellbeing, identity struggles, etc.).