The pandemic has highlighted the importance of our mental health. Struggling with mental health is nothing new, many of us have been struggling with depression, loneliness, and anxiety for years. Thankfully working on your mental health is becoming less stigmatized, however, many people don’t know of or have the resources available to actively combat or improve their situation.
Here is a great list of different resources to help you and your loved ones boost their mental health!
1. Wellness Together Canada is a free mental health and substance abuse website to support people across Canada and Canadians living abroad. They offer:
- Immediate text support
- Information & videos on common mental health issues
- Mental wellness programs you can do on your own and with coaching
- Monitored communities of support
- Individual phone, video, and text counseling
Call: 1-866-585-0445
Learn more at: https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA
2. Good2Talk provides confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Students can receive information and referrals about services and support for mental health, addictions, and well-being on and off campus and speak anonymously with a professional counselor.
Call: 1-866-925-5454
Text: GOOD2TALKON to 686868
Learn more at: https://good2talk.ca/
3. LGBT Youthline Ontario is an Ontario-wide peer-support for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer, and questioning young people through text and live chat with peer support volunteers. Their services are available from Sunday to Friday from 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM.
Text: 647-694-4275
Live Chat: www.youthline.ca
Email: askus@youthline.ca
4. The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) is a resource center to support Ontario’s 3.3 million caregivers; ordinary people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend, or neighbor. If you're a caregiver that's overwhelmed or not sure where to turn, they have what you need to be successful in your role.
Text: 1-833-416-2273
Live Chat: www.ontariocaregiver.ca
5. Resources for Victims of Human Trafficking:
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: Hotline Response Advocates will connect callers to support and services. They will also take tips, answer questions, and forward information to law enforcement when appropriate.
Call: 1-833-900-1010
Chrysalis Network: A Canada-Wide, toll-free, 24/7 counseling line. The Chrysalis Network offers a free, confidential telephone counseling service to women, men, and youth who have been trafficked for the purposes of forced commercial sex or labor.
Call: 1-866-528-7109
Learn more at: http://www.chrysalisnetwork.org/
For more resources visit: http://www.endhumantrafficking.ca/important-numbers/
6. Crisis Services Canada is a 24/7 national network of distress, crisis, and suicide prevention line services. This service is available across Canada via toll-free phone or text in English. Their toll-free phone service is also available in French. This means anyone in Canada that is thinking about, is, or has been affected by suicide, can reach out across a variety of media, and feel supported 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. '
Call: 1-833-456-4566
Text: 45645
