Community Resources

Support, when you need it.

A curated list of Ontario and Canada-wide resources for crisis support, ongoing mental health care, culturally responsive services, and low-cost therapy. Grouped for easier finding. If something feels urgent, start with the crisis numbers just below.

If you are in crisis right now

You don't have to wait. Help is one call away.

If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or danger, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department. The lines below are free, confidential, and available around the clock.

01, Immediate crisis

When right now is the only timeline.

For acute distress, suicidal thoughts, or a mental health emergency. All lines below are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Canada's nationwide crisis line for anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or supporting someone who is. Replaced Talk Suicide Canada in late 2023.

Kids Help Phone

Canada's only 24/7 support for young people. Free, confidential counselling by phone, text, or online chat in English and French.

1-800-668-6868
Text CONNECT to 686868
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto

24/7 emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention for callers in the GTA.

CAMH Crisis Resources

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health hub for urgent support, safety planning, and hospital-based crisis services.

02, General mental health support

For ongoing information and care.

National and provincial hubs for learning about mental health, finding local programs, and navigating Ontario's system of care.

Canadian Mental Health Association

National resource hub covering mental illness, coping strategies, and how to find local help across Canada.

CMHA Mental Health Quick Guide

A printable PDF with mental health information, services, and steps for getting support in the Toronto area.

Wellness Together Canada

Free, government-funded mental health and substance use support. Self-guided tools, confidential counselling, and peer support.

Government of Canada Mental Health Support

Federal hub for mental health and substance use services, Indigenous mental wellness supports, and caregiver information.

Ontario 211

Free phone, text, and web service connecting Ontarians to community, social, health, and government services in their area.

03, Toronto & the GTA

Support close to home.

Directories and programs for those living in or near the Greater Toronto Area, including Vaughan and York Region.

City of Toronto Mental Health Resources

A city-curated list of counselling, crisis support, youth services, addiction care, and culturally specific programs in Toronto.

Community Mental Health Programs, York Region

Central Healthline directory of programs across York Region, including Vaughan. Filterable by service type and location.

CMHA Toronto

Toronto branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Offers community programs, peer support, and BounceBack Ontario referrals.

CMHA York Region

York Region branch. Crisis intervention, adult mental health case management, and community wellness programs across York Region.

Family Service Toronto

One of Toronto's oldest non-profits offering counselling, family support, and developmental services on a sliding-scale basis since 1914.

WoodGreen Community Services

Multi-service Toronto non-profit offering counselling, mental health support, housing, employment, and newcomer settlement programs.

Krasman Centre

Peer-run mental health and addictions support across York Region, with drop-ins, warm line, and family programs led by people with lived experience.

Gerstein Crisis Centre

Toronto-based community crisis service for adults experiencing mental health crises. 24/7 phone line, mobile teams, and short-term residential support.

Catholic Family Services of Toronto

Sliding-scale counselling open to all faiths and backgrounds. Couples, families, individuals; specialised programs in trauma and grief.

Catholic Family Services of York Region

Counselling, family support, and walk-in services across York Region locations including Aurora, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan.

04, Addictions & recovery

For substance use, without judgement.

Low-barrier entry points into Ontario's addiction care system, from rapid-access clinics to provincial helplines.

Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic Finder

RAAM clinics offer walk-in addiction medicine support across Ontario. No referral or appointment needed for most locations.

ConnexOntario, Addictions

Free, confidential 24/7 information and referral line for alcohol, drug, and gambling support services across Ontario.

CAMH Addictions Services

Outpatient and inpatient addiction treatment through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Toronto Intergroup

Free peer-based recovery program with daily meetings across the GTA, both in-person and online.

Renascent

GTA non-profit offering inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment. Bursaries and OHIP-funded beds available for those without coverage.

SMART Recovery Toronto

Free, science-based addiction recovery groups using cognitive-behavioural and motivational tools. Multiple meeting locations and times across the GTA.

Healing does not have to happen alone. Use what serves you. Leave what does not.

05, Culturally responsive & identity-affirming

Rooted in community and context.

Support services specifically for Indigenous, Black, racialised, 2SLGBTQ+, and newcomer communities. Because identity shapes what healing looks like.

Hope for Wellness Helpline

24/7 culturally competent, trauma-informed support for Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut on request.

Black Youth Helpline

A Canadian, Black-led multicultural helpline that prioritises the cultural reality of Black youth, families, and communities.

LGBT Youthline

Peer support by and for 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Ontario. Phone, chat, and text service staffed by trained volunteers.

Trans Lifeline

Peer support hotline run by and for trans and gender-diverse people. Non-carceral, with trained operators who are trans themselves.

Rainbow Health Ontario

Province-wide program promoting the health of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Maintains a searchable directory of affirming providers.

TAIBU Community Health Centre

GTA-based community health centre serving the Black community across Ontario. Mental health, primary care, and wellness programs.

Across Boundaries

Toronto-based mental health centre offering holistic, anti-racist, anti-oppression services for racialised people experiencing mental health challenges.

Sherbourne Health

Toronto community health centre with specialised mental health programs for 2SLGBTQ+ communities, newcomers, and people who are homeless or under-housed.

Anishnawbe Health Toronto

Indigenous-led community health centre offering holistic care that combines traditional healing with mainstream healthcare for Indigenous Peoples in the GTA.

The 519

Toronto's leading 2SLGBTQ+ community centre. Counselling, peer support, refugee programs, and trans-specific health services in Church-Wellesley village.

Women's Health in Women's Hands

Toronto community health centre by and for racialised women. Counselling, sexual health, and trauma-informed care from an anti-racist framework.

06, Youth & students

For the younger folks in our lives.

Free, confidential support specifically designed for children, teens, and post-secondary students.

Good2Talk

Free, confidential support for Ontario post-secondary students. 24/7 by phone or text message.

Jack.org

Youth-led mental health organisation with peer-to-peer programs, speaker networks, and campus chapters across Canada.

What's Up Walk-In Clinics

Free, single-session walk-in counselling for children, youth, young adults, and families across the GTA. No appointment needed.

Stella's Place

Free mental health services for young adults aged 16 to 29 in Toronto. Counselling, peer support, DBT skills groups, and drop-in programs.

Strides Toronto

Children's mental health agency serving Toronto's east end. Counselling, family services, intensive support, and crisis response for ages 0 to 21.

Skylark Children, Youth & Families

Toronto's children's mental health agency for ages 0 to 21. Walk-in clinics, intensive treatment programs, and family-centred therapy.

Yorktown Family Services

Multi-service agency in Toronto's west end. Children's mental health, youth shelters, and family counselling on a low-barrier basis.

07, Women & gender-based support

Safety, first and foremost.

Province-wide and Canada-wide lines for women and gender-diverse people experiencing violence, abuse, or crisis.

Assaulted Women's Helpline

Free 24/7 crisis counselling, safety planning, and referrals for women who have experienced abuse. Multilingual support available.

Talk4Healing

Free, confidential, culturally grounded helpline for Indigenous women. Available in 14 languages, 24/7 across Ontario.

Victim Services Toronto

24/7 crisis response, advocacy, and practical support for victims of crime and sudden tragedies across Toronto.

Women's Shelters Canada

Searchable directory of emergency shelters and transition houses for women and children fleeing violence.

Yellow Brick House

York Region non-profit serving women and children experiencing domestic violence since 1978. 24-hour crisis line, two emergency shelters, and counselling.

Ernestine's Women's Shelter

Toronto-based shelter and outreach services for women and children escaping abuse. Multilingual programs and trauma-informed support.

Nellie's Shelter

Toronto emergency shelter and supportive services for women and children. Anti-oppression framework and feminist programming.

METRAC Action on Violence

Toronto-based organisation working to prevent violence against women and youth. Community education, safety audits, and survivor support.

08, Free & low-cost therapy

Because cost should not be the barrier.

Publicly funded, sliding-scale, and short-term therapy options across Ontario. These complement, rather than replace, longer-term private care.

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program

Free, publicly funded, short-term CBT-informed therapy for adults with depression, anxiety, and related conditions. Self-referral available.

BounceBack Ontario

Free, CBT-based coaching program delivered by phone for adults and youth 15+ managing low mood, mild-to-moderate depression, and anxiety.

Wellness Together Canada

Government-funded, free mental health and substance use platform. Self-guided wellness tools plus free counselling sessions.

Affordable Therapy Network

Directory of therapists across Canada offering reduced-fee and sliding-scale sessions. Useful for comparing rates and finding fits.

Balens Low-Cost Therapy Program

Our own sliding-scale program, with sessions starting from $60 for those whose circumstances make the standard fee a barrier.

Toronto Therapy Network

Local network of independent therapists offering reduced-fee sessions across Toronto. Searchable by specialty and approach.

Hard Feelings Mental Health

Toronto non-profit offering low-cost therapy ($50 to $80 per session) and a community space with mental health books, resources, and events.

University Training Clinics

U of T, York, OISE, and Adler offer reduced-cost therapy from supervised graduate students. Often $20 to $60 per session, sliding scale.

You are not alone

If none of these feel right, let's talk.

Finding the right support can take more than one try. If you want help thinking through which option might fit your circumstances, a free 20-minute consult is a good place to start. No commitment, no pressure.

Book a free consult