Resources for Mental Health

Free/Low Cost Therapy and Groups

Free Counselling Society Canada
Provides free counselling (and psychotherapy) services across Canada.
Website: https://www.freecounsellingcanada.ca/

Affordable Therapy Network
Provides psychotherapy services in Ontario that are “low cost” (up to $65+hst) and “sliding scale” ($70 to $120+hst).
Website: https://affordabletherapynetwork.com/

Blue Sky Learning
Blue Sky Learning provides free recurring virtual Zoom groups for the neurodivergent community: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/blue-sky-learning-41793902653?fbclid=IwAR0eAE5XhK7qvx6ze-DW1KO_F1EilKYp-jprTIR2l5ujWAHJcrQWfs5J9kY

Free Tools for Well-Being

Somatic self-care practices
by John Hopkins: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/office-of-well-being/connection-support/somatic-self-care

How We Feel app: https://howwefeel.org/
Studies have shown that labelling emotions in high intensity conditions can help with emotion regulation and reducing distress. This is an app that improves emotional awareness by expanding your emotional vocabulary and having you practice labelling your emotions. The app provides mental health tips and tools to help improve emotion regulation. It is also free and no sign-ups are required.

Psychoeducation: educational materials about different psychology and mental health concepts

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheets
Fact sheets about various psychology and mental health concepts: https://cpa.ca/psychologyfactsheets/

Help Lines

9-8-8
Available 24/7/365. Call or text 9-8-8 for trauma-informed support across Canada. This helpline is for people who have suicidal thoughts or are at risk of suicide, and helps people who are concerned about someone who is at risk of suicide.

Mental Health Crisis Line
Provides service to people living in the City of Ottawa, Renfrew County, the United Counties of Prescott & Russell, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, and Akwesasne. Bilingual and answers calls for peoples ages 16 or older, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 613-722-6914 (within Ottawa)
toll-free 1-866-996-0991 (outside of Ottawa)
Website: www.crisisline.ca

Distress Centre for Ottawa
Phone: 613-238-3311 (Distress)
613-722-6914 (Crisis)
Toll-free: 1-866-996-0991

Text: 343-306-5550
Website: https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/

You can now text and chat with the Distress Centre between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week — text 343-306-5550 or chat www.dcottawa.on.ca

Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre:
The ORCC supports and empowers trans and cis women, trans men, two-spirit, gender-fluid, and non-binary survivors. The crisis line provides service 7 days a week to survivors of sexual violence, supporters, family and friends of survivors. Accompaniment can be arranged through the Crisis Line to hospital and police. Reach someone now by calling 613-562-2333.

Chat & Text Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence: 613-544-6424, available 12pm to 12am, 7 days a week.

Website: https://orcc.net/

Good2Talk:
For post-secondary students, available 24/7. Provides free, confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario & Nova Scotia.

Phone: 1-866-925-5454

Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868

Crisis Text Line – Canada
For youth and adults, text CONNECT to 686868.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders.

**For life-threatening emergency, call 911