If you need support please call the Distress Centre Ottawa and Region 24/7 - 613-238-3311 in English or Tel-Aide Outaouais - 613-741-6433 in French.

Counselling Connect

Counselling Connect provides quick access to  free phone or video counselling session. This service is for children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area.
14 counselling services have joined forces to give you same-day or next-day access to a free counselling session. www.counsellingconnect.org

Information Line for Child and Youth Mental Health and Youth Addictions Services YSB has expanded the role of the crisis line and online chat to provide information about child and youth mental health and youth addiction services in Eastern Ontario.  The information and crisis line can be reached by calling 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 and the online chat at chat.ysb.ca 

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• Wellness together Canada – Mental Health and Substance Use Support
• Resource Hub: Mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic (Mental Health Commission of Canada [MHCC])
• COVID-19 and Your Mental Health (The Royal)
• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
• BounceBack - Mental Health phone line support with a coach and online videos
• Togetherall – 24/7 Peer to Peer online mental health support network
• CAMH COVID-19 Peer Support Discussion Forum
• Walk-in Counselling Clinics - 613-755-2277 - No referral is required for the Walk-In Counselling Clinic. You will be assisted, with no appointment, on a first-come, first-serve basis during our Walk-In Counselling Clinic hours.  The Walk-in Counselling Clinic offers counselling services in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Cantonese and Mandarin at a variety of different locations. 
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – COVID-19 and Mental Health A pandemic is a very stressful event for individuals and communities. It’s normal to feel some stress and anxiety. It’s also very common for people to display great resiliency during times of crisis.

  CMHA has put together some resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty.

• Psychiatric survivors of Ottawa - We have a phone line dedicated to connecting with peers. please check our website for further information www.pso-ottawa.ca or call our main line 613 567-4379 and press 118 to leave a message and we will return your call within one business day.
• Managing Your Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19 mobile App (CAMH)

Services and Resources:

• Rideauwood - Wondering about substance use, behavioural addictions or mental health issues? You're not alone. We're right here.
• Breaking Free Online (BFO) is a confidential online platform to help support wellness around substance use. Present physical (social) distancing measures are affecting the delivery of addiction services and the ability of clients to access treatment and recovery support. Breaking Free Online is offering their services to anyone with a substance use disorder who is not able to access their regular support. BFO will give them continuous access to personalized behavioural support online. To access this service, use the code CAPSA2020 to sign in. 
• LESA (Centretown Community Health Centre) Addictions Treatment for Older Adults: Substance Use and Problem Gambling counselling sessions have been moved to telephone sessions. To book an appointment or learn more about this program please call 613-233-4443 x 2109.
• Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders (The Royal)
• counsellingconnect.org - Adult, older adult, youth young adult and family substance use, gambling and gaming

• Montfort Renaissance’s Service Access to Recovery (SAR) is Ottawa’s bilingual centralized access to all Ontario Health funded agencies providing addiction / concurrent disorder treatment. It is a starting point for people 16 years and older who are concerned about their substance use and want to understand, discuss and access treatment options.  

  To be evaluated and referred directly to treatment, call (613) 241-5202. Due to COVID-19 assessments are temporarily done over the phone and treatment options are more limited than usual, but new virtual support options are available.

• Sandy Hill Community Health Centre provides confidential and supportive counselling services for individuals, families and adolescents seeking help for addictions (including problem gambling), mental health issues, or concurrent disorders.

• Somerset West Community Health Centre provides specialized health services for newcomers, seniors, adolescents, and many more seeking help.
• Find your community health and resource centre by visiting the Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centre for more information.

Mental Health Services and Resources: 

• Crossroads Children Mental Health Centre - COVID-19 Crossroads is here to help
• We’re here for you during COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) (Kids Help Phone)
• counsellingconnect.org - Child and family mental health

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• Youth Services Bureau - We are not here to judge, we are here to understand and to help you work through any issues or difficulties you are experiencing that may be affecting your life and your emotional well-being. Our team of experienced mental health experts provide a range of welcoming, non-judgmental services for you and your family.
  • Here is an overview of how we’ve adapted our service model during COVID-19, including details on our information line for mental health and addictions services during COVID-19

• counsellingconnect.org - Youth and young adult mental health

• The Inquiring Mind COVID-19 Self-care & Resilience Guide for The Inquiring Mind Post Secondary (MHCC)
• COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub (Jack.org)
• Campus Mental Health - COVID-19 Resources (Centre for Innovation Campus Mental Health [CICMH])

• Dave Smith Centre (DSYTC) is a non-profit, community-based agency that is dedicated to helping youth (13-21) and families across Ontario overcome substance use, mental health and related issues. 

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• Crossroads Children Mental Health Centre - COVID-19 Crossroads is here to help
• Youth Services Bureau - We are not here to judge, we are here to understand and to help you work through any issues or difficulties you are experiencing that may be affecting your life and your emotional well-being. Our team of experienced mental health experts provide a range of welcoming, non-judgmental services for you and your family.
  • Here is an overview of how we’ve adapted our service model during COVID-19, including details on our information line for mental health and addictions services during COVID-19

• PLEO - We are here to help, in communities across Eastern Ontario.

  • We provide Family Peer Support for parents through our:

    Parents’ Helpline for support and guidance navigating the mental health system, finding resources in your community, and for when you just need someone to talk to.

    Parent Support Groups for parents to share information and learn form one another, and come together as a community.

    Mobile One-on-One Support for more intensive support and guidance through particularly challenging times, in-person and in your community.

• Helping Your Children and Teens During a Pandemic: Pandemic Parenting Playbook

  Presented by ECHO Ontario Child and Youth Mental Health in Partnership with PLEO.

  Learn practical strategies to support your child and youth’s mental health needs through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Suicide Prevention Guide for Parents and Families During COVID-19 and Return to School (SMHO)
• Reaching IN... Reaching OUT
  • This is a series of resources for parents to teach their children resilience and is available in multiple languages

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• Seniors Centres Without Walls (The Good Companions)
• A Friendly Voice (Rural Ottawa South Support Services)
• COVID-19 Support Services (Champlain Community Support Network)
• LESA (CCHC) Addictions Treatment for Older Adults: Substance Use and Problem Gambling counselling sessions have been moved to telephone sessions. To book an appointment or learn more about this program please call 613-233-4443 x 2109.
• counsellingconnect.org
• Montfort Renaissance provides individual support and contacts by phone for Francophone Seniors and Caregivers and social and recreational online activities through Mon Centre à distance.  Phone: 613-241-1266

Mental Health Services and Resources: 

• Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization Counselling Services (OCISO)
  • OCISO Clinical Counselling
• Reaching IN... Reaching OUT

  This is a series of resources for parents to teach their children resilience and is available in multiple languages.

• Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre
• counsellingconnect.org
• Bounce Back - Coaching + workbooks are available in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Traditional Chinese and Spanish. Smaller format booklets are available in English, French, Punjabi, Traditional and Simplified Chinese. Coaching is also available in many other languages, but you will need to have a basic English reading level to work through the workbooks.
  • Videos are available in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Punjabi.
• Walk-in Counselling Clinics -  613-755-2277 - No referral is required for the Walk-In Counselling Clinic. You will be assisted, with no appointment, on a first-come, first-serve basis during our Walk-In Counselling Clinic hours.  
  • The Walk-in Counselling Clinic offers counselling services in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Cantonese and Mandarin at a variety of different locations. 

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team

  • For more information, please call: 613-740-999 or generalinfo@aifht.ca
  • Mental health support available in Inuktitut and English for Inuit of all ages.
• Counselling Connect 
  • includes Indigenous in-person,video or phone counselling using Indigenous and Western approaches to healing. This service is for children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area.
  • www.counsellingconnect.org
• Distress Centre Ottawa and Region 24/7 (English)
  • Call: 613-238-3311
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 24/7 (Services & resources available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut)
  • Call: 1-855-242-3310, Live Chat,Posters
• Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week)
  • Call: 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991

• Native Women's Association of Canada
  • COVID-19 Information
  • COVID-19 Elder Support - For First Nations, Inuit and Métis women, girls, and gender-diverse peoples
• Talk4Healing - For Indigenous women
  • Call or text: 1-855-554-HEAL / Live Chat
  • Services offered in English, Oji-Cree, Cree, Algonquin, Inuktitut, Mohawk, Oneida, Odawa, Potawatomi, Micmac, Black Foot, Anishinaabe, Moose Cree, Swampy Cree

• Wabano 
  • Wabano Mental Wellness Team provides holistic and culturally relevant services to Indigenous individuals and families. 

• AFN Mental Wellness Resources - Assembly of First Nations (English only)

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• LGBTQ+ & Trans Health Program (CCHC)
• LGBTTQ+ Around the Rainbow (Family Services Ottawa)
• MAX Ottawa COVID-19
• CHEO Gender Diversity Clinic
• YSB - Spectrum LGBTQ Community Youth Group
• LGBT Well-Being Check-in Program - (Good Companions Seniors Centre)
  • Eligibility: Seniors 55+, Adults (18+) with a disability, Living within the Champlain region, Identify as being a member of the LGBT Community
• Youthline.ca
  • Text- 647-694-4275
  • Chat 4 pm to 9:30 pm
• Trans lifeline.org - 1-877-565-8860 

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• Services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 pandemic (Ottawa Centre To End Violence Against Women)
• Unsafe at Home Ottawa

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• If you need support please call the Distress Centre Ottawa and Region 24/7 - 613-238-3311 in English or Tel-Aide Outaouais - 613-741-6433 in French.
• Counselling Connect Counselling Connect provides quick access to free phone or video counselling session. This service is for children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area. 14 counselling services have joined forces to give you same-day or next-day access to a free counselling session. www.counsellingconnect.org
• Loss, grief and healing (CAMH)
• Grief & Bereavement Support (Champlain Hospice Palliative Care Program [CHPCP])
• Grief and Emotional Health (Canadian Virtual Hospice)
• Kidsgrief.ca: Talking with kids and teens about illness, dying and death (Canadian Virtual Hospice) 

Mental Health Services and Resources:

If you are in crisis, please contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991.

• Canadian Association For Suicide Prevention (CASP) The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is aware that the physical and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic may impact your mental health and emotional state of well-being. Please reach out to connect with others and to keep yourself informed from reliable sources.
• Suicide Prevention Ottawa (SPO) Working together towards a community without suicide.
  • Crisis and Resources
• safeTALK follow-up Interview (OPH and CMHA) 
• Suicide Prevention Guide for Parents and Families During COVID-19 and Return to School (SMHO)
• PLEO - Supporting Parents of Suicidal Youth

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• COVID Frontline Wellness (The Royal) - 

  Health care workers are at the front lines of the COVID pandemic. Increased feelings of stress, worry and anxiety are normal under these conditions. It is important to recognize the impact of COVID-related stress on your wellbeing and build coping skills that can help you get and stay healthy. 

  We can help.

• Mental health and COVID-19 - Resources for health care workers (CAMH)
• Webinar - Best Practices for Supporting the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers During Covid-19 (MHCC)

• Psychological First Aid for Frontline Health Care Providers: 
  A QUICK GUIDE TO WELLNESS [PDF 5MB]

For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

Mental Health Services and Resources:

• Watch our video Take Care of Your Mental Health interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes du Québec (LSQ). 
• The Canadian Hearing Society also provides a list of mental health resources.

How to Access the Distress Centre of Ottawa

Canada VRS is a telecommunication service that allows Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired Canadians to make telephone calls using internet and cell phone-based technologies. VRS callers are connected with a sign language interpreter, over video, who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. An individual could use VRS to place a call to the Distress Centre simply by using their VRS application and dialing the Distress Centre’s phone number.

The Distress Centre of Ottawa can be reached at the following:

Distress: 613-238-3311

Crisis: 613-722-6914 or 1-866-996-0991