Mental Health Resources

Remember!

If you are in crisis or have suicidal thoughts, you can:

• Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room.
• Call the suicide prevention line at 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553).
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service 24-Hour Crisis Line: Available 24/7 at 1-833-456-456, or text 45645 (4PM – 12AM EST)
• Call Info-Social at 811, press option 2 to speak with a social worker 24/7.
• Call the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region 24/7 at 613-238-3311.
• Call Tel-Aide Outaouais at 819-775 – 3223 or toll-free: at 1-800-567-9699.

Non-Crisis Helplines – If you need emotional support, or are feeling low or sad:

• Talk to someone you trust, like a family member, friend or a guidance counsellor, or see your doctor to discuss your options for support.
• Caregivers:
  • Call L’Appui pour les proches aidants for caregiver support at 1-855-852-7784, Monday to Sunday, between 8 am and 8 pm
• Parents:
  • Call the LigneParents helpline at 1-800-361-5085
  • You can request help from Priorité Parents.
• Youth:
  • Call the Tel-jeunes Helpline at 1-800-263-2266 or text 514-600-1002.
  • Call, text or live chat with Kid’s Help Phone (ages 5-20) at 1-800-668-6868, or download the Always There app.
  • Young people text TALK to 686868 and adults text WELLNESS to 741741 to receive support 24/7 from the Kids Help Phone.
• Veterans:
  • Veterans experiencing distress should call the VAC Assistance Service at 1-800-268-7708 to speak to a mental health professional.  It’s free and available 24/7.
  • Veterans and their family can also access useful resources through the Veterans Affairs Canada PTSD Coach Canada app.  Additional mental health resources on the Veterans Affairs Canada Website.
• Agricultural Listening Line (MRC Pontiac, Collines-de-l’Outaouais & Gatineau)
  • Call: 873 – 455 – 5707
• All Ages:
  • Connect for free 24/7 support through the Wellness Together Canada portal
  • Ami-Quebec: Free bilingual services including one-on-one counselling for caregivers, tele-workshops and interactive session by teleconference.

Connexions’ Mental Health First-Aid Kit Cards & Tools:

• Connexions’ Youth Magnet: Who to call for Crisis Situations or for Emotional Supports
• Connexions’ Youth Postcard: Tips to communicate with someone in distress and tips to better mental health
• Mental Health Activity Cards with bubble, pinwheel and star breathing strategies
• Paper Fidget Toys that help children Cope with stressful situations: Instructions to make fidget tools with your child, Spinning Fidget Template, Fidget Copter Template, as well as our I Can Cool Off Flower, Fortune-Teller Finger Game and I am Grateful for… Activity Page to write down what you are grateful for.  All great activities to share with your child or to ease your stress and anxiety.
• List of Different Coping Strategies to give you inspiration and to help fill-out some of the Templates above.
• Mental Health Activity Cards for Children (child can also colour these- great for quiet time!).
• A list of What to Include in a Calm Down Kit for Kids.
• A Mood Tracker.
• Words of empowerment mental health cards for parents, List A and List B.
• A list of signs of caregiver burnout, as well as contact information on where to find legal, health and mental health supports in the Outaouais.
• A List of what to Include in your Individual Mental Health First-Aid Kit.

Connexions’ Community Online Chat/Support Groups:

• Itsy Bitsy Tots Playgroup (Families with children 0-4)
• Baby Chat (Families with babies up to one years old and parents-to-be)
• Parent Chat (Parents with children, youth and adults with special needs)
• 50+ Chat (also great for caregivers!)

Community & Online Resources:

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