Mental Health Resources
Free and low-cost mental health support, crisis lines, and counselling services across Canada. Everything here is available to newcomers regardless of immigration status.
Crisis Support Lines
These services are free, confidential, and available to everyone in Canada regardless of immigration status.
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Canada's national suicide crisis helpline launched November 30, 2023. Call or text 9-8-8, available 24/7, free, and confidential. Trained crisis responders are available in English and French, with interpretation available in over 100 languages. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Kids Help Phone
Canada's only 24/7 national service for young people ages 5 to 29. Available by phone, text, and live chat at kidshelpphone.ca. Professional counsellors provide support in English and French. Crisis responders are also available. No problem is too small to call about.
Crisis Services Canada
National suicide prevention and crisis line available 24/7. Provides immediate support and referrals to local crisis services. Available in English and French.
Talk Suicide Canada
National suicide prevention service available 24/7. Offers support in English and French with interpretation available in over 100 languages. If you prefer to chat, visit talksuicide.ca.
Hope for Wellness Help Line (Indigenous Peoples)
Mental health counselling and crisis intervention specifically for Indigenous peoples across Canada. Available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. Culturally sensitive counsellors who understand Indigenous experiences.
Trans Lifeline
Crisis hotline staffed by trans people for trans and questioning callers. Peer support from people who understand the trans experience. Completely confidential and operated by trans volunteers and staff.
Black Youth Helpline
Culturally responsive crisis line for Black children, youth, and families. Provides counselling and referrals that are sensitive to the unique experiences of the Black community, including systemic racism and anti-Black discrimination.
South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency (SAHARA)
Free and confidential support services for South Asian communities in BC and across Canada. Provides crisis counselling, referrals, and support in multiple South Asian languages. Understands cultural context, family pressures, and immigration challenges.
Distress Centre Calgary
24/7 crisis line for Calgary and surrounding areas. Trained volunteers provide immediate emotional support, crisis intervention, and referrals to local services.
Distress Centre Ottawa
24/7 crisis and emotional support for people in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Also operates a Seniors Help Line and a Telephone Support Program.
Vancouver Crisis Centre
Crisis intervention and emotional support for people in Metro Vancouver. Trained counsellors available by phone and chat. Also provides the BC-wide 1-800-SUICIDE line (1-800-784-2433).
Distress Centre Toronto
24/7 telephone crisis support for Toronto residents. Confidential and staffed by trained volunteers. Also operates a seniors line and a line specifically for people 25 and under.
Distress Centre Montreal
Centre de prevention du suicide Montreal. Provides crisis support and suicide prevention services for Montreal and surrounding region.
Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line
24/7 crisis support for Manitobans. Connects callers to trained crisis counsellors and can arrange mobile crisis response if needed.
Gerstein Crisis Centre (Toronto)
24/7 mobile crisis team and crisis phone line for Toronto. Specializes in mental health crises and can dispatch mobile teams to provide in-person support in the community.
Chinese Distress Line (Across Canada)
Kids Help Phone serves callers who speak Mandarin and Cantonese. For adult crisis support in Chinese languages, contact local distress centres or multilingual crisis services through 211 in your city. Hong Fook Mental Health (416-493-3242) in Toronto provides Chinese-language mental health support.
Arab Community Centre of Toronto (ACCT)
Mental health and counselling support for Arabic-speaking newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area. Provides culturally sensitive counselling, crisis support referrals, and settlement services.
Your privacy is protected
Crisis lines are confidential. Counsellors will not contact immigration authorities, your employer, or anyone else without your consent. These services exist to help you, no matter your immigration status.