Mental health services for children and youth

Find mental health support

There are hundreds of programs and services across Ontario that offer help to children and youth with mental health and addiction concerns up to 18 years of age.

How to find support

To find mental health services for children and youth in your community:

• visit Kids Help Phone Resources Around Me
• type in your location
• select the topic “Counselling and Mental Health Support”
• select “Find Resources”
• choose from the counselling and mental health support services from the drop-down list or interactive map to select the resources that are right for you

When to ask for support

Contact a mental health agency if you need help for a child or youth with behavioural, emotional and/or mental health and addiction issues. This includes:

• anxiety
• attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD)
• depression and other mood disorders
• schizophrenia
• eating disorders

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of children and youth mental health issues

Types of services

What services are available for you may vary by your location:

• crisis support services
• targeted prevention
• brief services
• counselling and therapy services
• family capacity building and support
• specialized consultation and assessments
• crisis support services
• intensive treatment services
• culturally sensitive mental health and addictions services

Fees

There is no fee to access these programs and services.

Helplines

In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital or emergency department.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact:

Kids Help Phone

• For children and youth
• Provides professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being
• Phone and online via web post or live chat
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Free, anonymous and confidential
• Call: 1-800-668-6868 to speak with a professional counsellor
• Text: CONNECT to 686868 to connect with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder

Good2Talk

• For people between the ages of 17-25
• For post-secondary students in Ontario
• Provides professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being
• Free, confidential and anonymous helpline
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Call: 1-866-925-5454 to speak with a professional counsellor
• Text: GOOD2TALKON to 686868 with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder

Mental Health Helpline

• All ages
• Provides information about counselling services and supports in your community
• Listens, offers support and provide strategies to help you meet your goals
• Provides basic education about mental illness
• Call: 1-866-531-2600

Ontario Distress Centres

• All ages
• A free telephone help-line for people experiencing emotional distress (including suicide)
• Provide listening and referral services primarily through highly trained volunteers
• Most centres are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Call a distress centre in your area

Resources

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

• A pediatric health and research center providing family-centred patient care for children and youth aged 18 and under
• Runs specialized programs for eating disorders, autism, psychiatric mental health, sexual assault, telepsychiatry and early language development

Children’s Mental Health Ontario

• Represents and supports the providers of child and youth mental health treatment services
• Includes 85 accredited children’s mental health centres that provide support to families and treatment to young people facing mental health problems
• Services are provided at no cost to clients
• Find a children’s mental health centre in your community

Mindyourmind

• A space where youth can get information, resources and tools to manage stress, crisis and mental health related problems
• Inspires youth to reach out, to get help for themselves or to give help to their friends who may be experiencing tough times