Navigating the System

Ottawa youth have shared that they did not know where to turn for mental health or emotional support when they wanted to talk to someone.

Navigating the mental health and substance use system can be challenging whether you are seeking support for yourself, as a youth, parent, a family member, or a friend.

You are not alone. There are many community-based mental health and substance use services available. A list of mental health, addictions and substance use health resources can be found by downloading our printable version or by visiting OttawaPublicHealth.ca/MentalHealthandWellness.

To help you get started, check out these videos to learn more on some services available, how to access these services, and the process you can expect. 

For anyone 16 years and older:

If you are someone looking for substance use support, Service Access to Recovery can help you navigate the system and help you find the treatment option that is right for you:

For parents: 

If you are a parent or caregiver looking for support, Parents’ Lifelines provides various support programs. They are staffed with experienced parents who have travelled the journey and can provide the information to help you navigate the mental health and substance use system:

For youth: 

If you are a youth looking for support, Youth Net has great programs that are designed for youth, by youth. These programs encourage youth to engage in healthy activities to promote positive coping strategies, reduce stigma, and many more!

For more mental health and substance use information, please contact 211 or visit www.ementalhealth.ca.