Finding the Right Support: Printable guides and services

Print and share helpful posters and guides. These resources can be given directly to clients, customers, or staff, or posted in common areas such as lunchrooms, washrooms, or anywhere people might benefit from them. Having resources available in common areas helps make sure people can access important information, even if they don’t feel comfortable asking directly.

Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Resource List

Download our Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Resource List for a list of local services and resources. This is a simple one-page guide to help people find crisis supports, system navigation, mental health, addictions and substance use health service providers and more.

Workplace Mental Health & Safety: Creating safe and supportive workplaces

Your workplace’s mental health and safety are just as important as physical health and safety. In this section, you’ll find tools and resources to help you make mental wellness a priority. Discover practical strategies to create a healthier, safer, and more supportive workplace.

Working Through Change: Workplace health and wellness guide

This guide was created to support mental health and wellness at work, especially during times of change. While promoting mental health and safety is always important, workplace transitions can bring added stress that requires extra attention. Use this guide for practical tips and guidance to help both employees and employers navigate change with resourcefulness.

haveTHATtalk for workplaces

The National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace offers guidance and best practices for all organizations. It outlines 13 key factors that support a mentally healthy workplace. On our haveTHATtalk for Workplaces webpage, these factors are explained through easy-to-understand information and short videos. We encourage both employers and employees to explore these resources to strengthen workplace health and safety while fostering psychological wellness. Use the videos and guides in team meetings, onboarding, or any time you want to learn together and find new ways to improve mental health and safety in your workplace.

Supports to haveTHATtalk about Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health

HaveTHATtalk was developed to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in all areas of our lives. Everyone can take action to promote mental health where we live, work and play. Check out these videos, activity guides, and supports to learn how you can take action to reduce stigma, increase support, and encourage people to get help sooner.

Many people use substances. Most Canadians will use some kind of substance in their lifetime. Just like Physical or Mental Health, our Substance Use Health can vary from one day to the next as we are faced with different circumstances. Visit our web page to learn tips on how to talk specifically about substance use health and available resources.

As an employer or colleague, you may need to have discussions with someone about their substance use. This resource can help guide you through that process.

Be Prepared: Health and safety tools and trainings

In this section, you’ll find information on naloxone, including what it is, where to get kits, guidance for pharmacists, and details on workplaces required to have it on site. You’ll also learn about safe handling and disposal of needles.

Finally, this section provides you with access to free online trainings on topics such as understanding stigma, preventing and responding to overdoses, and hosting safer community events. These trainings are a great learning tool for any workplace.

Naloxone information for Pharmacists 

Pharmacists are highly respected as the medication management experts of the health care team. By becoming a participant in the Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies (ONPP), your pharmacy can increase access to naloxone and be part of the enhanced response to overdose prevention in our community.

For more information about opioids, naloxone and the ONPP visit the links below:

• Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long Term Care (Eng) (Fr)
• Ontario Pharmacists Association
  • Opioids (English only) 
  • Naloxone (English only) 
• Ontario College of Pharmacists
  • Opioids (English only)
  • Dispensing or selling naloxone (English only)
• University of Waterloo – School of Pharmacy- naloxone and opioid crisis resources (English only)

Naloxone in the workplace

Since June 1, 2023, employers must provide naloxone in the workplace if certain circumstances described in the Occupational Health and Safety Act apply. To learn more, visit the Province of Ontario’s webpage.

Subscribe to receive Stop Overdose Ottawa email alerts

Stop Overdose Ottawa Alerts are issued when Ottawa’s Overdose Prevention and Response Task Force becomes aware of issues related to toxic drugs circulating in the community. Examples include:

• Increased risk of overdose
• New drug toxicity risk, contaminates, etc.
• Other new or noteworthy drug trends presenting in the local unregulated drug supply

Safe handling and disposal of needles

Keeping Ottawa neighbourhoods safe is our collective responsibility. In an effort to promote community safety, OPH works along with numerous City and community partners, on a variety of measures to provide safer options for disposing of discarded needles and drug paraphernalia : 

1. City of Ottawa Staff: With the coordinated support of several City departments, City staff respond to requests for needle retrieval anywhere in the city with a priority response. 
2. Needle drop boxes With over 80 24/7 publicly accessible locations across the city, needle drop boxes make disposing of needles easy and safe.
3. Harm Reduction Services and Partner Agencies: Approximately 30 agencies across the city are available to collect needles and other drug paraphernalia. 
4. Household Hazardous Waste Depots: These depots host multiple events throughout the year to collect all kinds of waste that cannot be collected in the regular waste stream, including medical sharps, and drug paraphernalia. 
5. Sharps kits are available to equip those individuals with the appropriate tools and training to reinforce personal safety while retrieving needles and drug paraphernalia.

This fact sheet can be shared with your team to raise awareness on how to dispose of needles and drug paraphernalia.

For more information, visit: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Needles

Online trainings

Build knowledge and confidence in your workplace with our free online trainings. These courses cover topics like stigma, overdose prevention and response, and safer events. They a’re practical, easy to access, and designed so you can learn at your own pace. Many come with certificates of completion, helping staff, volunteers, and leaders feel more prepared to support colleagues, clients, and the community.