If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, are in danger of hurting yourself or others, feeling suicidal, overwhelmed or in crisis, you can access the following resources to find help.

What to do if you are in immediate crisis in Canada:

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  • Call your local law enforcement agency in your Province or dial 911;

  • If you live outside of Canada, please dial your local emergency number;

  • Go to the nearest walk-in clinic or hospital emergency room;

  • If you are already working with a trauma healing practitioner, call their office or their emergency phone number.

National Suicide and Crisis Lines:

  • Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) - (833) 456-4566: The new Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) enables callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support using the technology of their choice (phone, text or chat), in French or English.

  • Kids Help Phone - (800) 668-6868: Kids Help Phone is Canada's only national 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, web counselling and referral service for children and youth. Our service is completely anonymous and confidential.

  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness - (855) 242-3310: 24/7 Help Line for those who are thinking about committing suicide.

  • Canadian Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line - (866) 925-4419: A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former Residential School students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 24-Hour National Crisis Lin

  • Trans LifeLine - (877) 330-6366: Non-profit dedicated to the well being of transgender people. We run a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of our community might have.

  • Ontario Mental Healthline - (866) 531-2600: The Mental Health Helpline provides free information about mental health services in Ontario.

  • Toronto Distress Centres - (416) 408-HELP (4357): Our 408-HELP line has 550+ highly trained Distress Centres’ volunteers that provide telephone support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with the support of professional staff.Many of our callers are individuals experiencing emotional distress, marginalization, social isolation and those who may require crisis intervention and suicide/family violence intervention services.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse:

  • Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) - (833) 456-4566: The new Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) enables callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support using the technology of their choice (phone, text or chat), in French or English.

  • Boys Town National Hotline - (800) 448-3000: Crisis, resource and referral line staffed by counsellors to provide information about a variety of issues, including alcohol abuse.

  • Covenant House Teen Hotline (NineLine) - (800) 999-9999: General hotline for adolescents, teens and their families. Assistance is offered for alcohol related or any other kind of problem. Additionally, Covenant House pays particular attention to runaway and homeless kids.

  • Canadian Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line - (866) 925-4419: A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former Residential School students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 24-Hour National Crisis Line.

  • National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) - (800) NCA-CALL (622-2255): NCADD's HOPE LINE places those struggling with alcohol and other substance abuse issues in touch with helpful local resources.

  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - (800) 662-HELP (4357): National agency dedicated to prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. Their helpline provides 24 hour assistance.

  • Al-Anon/Alateen - (888) 425-2666: Provides phone and counselling services for both teens and adults which are struggling with alcohol and substance abuse.

  • Crisis Call Centre - (800) 273-8255: Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

  • The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center - (800) 784-6776: Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Domestic and Sexual Violence:

  • Toronto Rape Crisis Centre - (416) 597-8808: We understand that sometimes it takes years for survivors to talk about their experiences of both childhood and adult sexual assault. One of your options is to meet with one of our peer support counsellor to talk about whatever makes sense to you.

  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline - (866) 863-0511: Provides anonymous and confidential crisis counseling, informational and emotional support to women. (Toronto, ON)

  • Talk for Healing - (855) 554-4325: Talk4Healing is a helpline available to all Aboriginal women living in urban, rural and remote communities, both on and off reserve, throughout Northern Ontario.

  • Fem’aide - (877) 336-2433: Provincial helpline for francophone women in Ontario dealing with violence.

  • Battered Women's Support Service - (604) 687-1867: Provides education, advocacy and support services to assist women. (Vancouver, BC)

  • Domestic Violence Helpline (Victim Link) - (604) 875-0885: Helpline designed to provide information and support to those experiencing domestic violence.

  • Surrey Women’s Center - (604) 583-1295: Offer a range of crisis services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other forms of family violence. 24/7 helpline services provided. (Surrey, BC)

  • WAVAW - (877) 392-7583: Works to end violence against women through various support programs and services including an emotional and informational support 24-hour crisis line.

  • BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors - (866) 437-1940: Helpline providing emotional and legal information and referral for seniors experiencing abuse. (Vancouver, BC)

  • Family Violence Info Line - (780) 310-1818: 24/7 helpline in over 170 languages to provide support and advice for people experiencing family violence.

  • Edmonton Women’s Shelter Ltd. - (780) 479-0058: A non-profit agency with three shelters for women with or without children leaving domestic violence situations. A 24 hour support and information line is provided. (Edmonton, AB)

  • Camrose Women’s Shelter Society - (877) 672-1010: Women’s shelter proving safe environments for women and children needing protection from family violence. 24 hour crisis line for additional assistance. (Camrose, AB)

  • Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter - (866) 606-7233: Offers support to individuals and families fleeing family violence and abuse. The 24-hour helpline provides support, information and access to programs at the shelter. (Calgary, AB)

  • Sucker Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter - (866) 523-2929: Provides range of services for women and children experiencing abuse and assault including a 24-hour crisis line.(Edmonton, AB)

  • La Ronge 24-Hour Crisis Line - (306) 425-4090: General crisis line for men and women in crisis in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. (La Ronge, SK)

  • Moose Jaw Domestic Violence Crisis Line - (306) 693-6511: Moose Jaw offers a transition house for women and children affected by family violence and abuse. The crisis line offers 24-hour emotional, informational and referral support to women. (Moose Jaw, SK)

  • Prince Albert Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention - (306) 764-1011: General crisis line for those experiencing domestic violence. (Prince Albert, SK)

  • Yorkton Domestic Violence Crisis Line - (888) 783-3111: General crisis line for those experiencing domestic violence in Yorkton. (Yorkton, SK)

  • Toll-Free Province Wide Domestic Abuse Crisis Line (24 hours) - (877) 977-0007: General crisis line for people experiencing domestic violence and abuse in the province of Manitoba.

  • Domestic Violence Hotline (Quebec) - (800) 363-9010: Provides anonymous and confidential domestic violence services via telephone or email. (Montreal, QC)

Eating Disorders:

Gay and Lesbian:

  • Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line - (800) 268-9688: 24/7/ helpline for the youth who are coming out or experiencing difficulties.

  • Trans Lifeline Canada - (877) 330-6366: Trans Lifeline is primarily for transgender people in a crisis, from struggling with gender identity to thoughts of self-harm. Provides 24/7 hotline.

  • LGBT National Help Center - (888) 843-4564: LGBT National Hotline, the LGBT National Youth Talkline, and the SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline as well as private, volunteer one-to-one online chat, that helps both youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems and a lot more.

  • LGBT National Youth Talkline - (800) 246-PRIDE (7743): We speak with teens and young adults up to age 25 about coming-out issues, gender identity, relationship concerns, parent issues, school problems, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information, and lots more!

  • SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline - (888) 234-SAGE (7243): Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the world’s largest organization devoted to improving the lives of LGBT older people.

  • PFLAG - Toronto - (416) 406-6378: Toronto PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, queer and questioning persons, their families and friends through:Support, to cope with an adverse society, and Education, to enlighten an ill-informed public in order to end discrimination and secure equal rights.

Specific Disorders, Other:

Sexual Health/Pregnancy:

  • Exercise and Pregnancy Helpline - (866) 937-7678: The Exercise & Pregnancy Helpline is a free service offering information to any pregnant or pre-pregnant woman who has questions related to exercise during pregnancy. This includes athletes, active women and those who want to begin an exercise routine during pregnancy.It is serviced by Sport CARE physicians, physiotherapists and athletic therapists and affiliated with Motherisk at the Hospital for Sick Children.

  • La Leche League Canada - (800) 665-4324: La Leche League Canada encourages, promotes and provides mother-to-mother breastfeeding support and educational opportunities as an important contribution to the health of children, families and society. They run local information and support groups in many communities throughout Canada.

  • MOTHERRISK - (877) 439-2744: This program and website, run through Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, is an excellent resource for information on what is safe when you are pregnant and breastfeeding.

  • CAPPS Canadian Association of Pregnancy Support Services - (866) 845-2151: As CAPSS partners with local centres, we provide leadership development, operational standards, staff and volunteer training, and ongoing encouragement and support.

  • Emergency Contraception Hotline - 888-NOT 2 LATE -(668-5283): Emergency Contraception Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Youth and Parenting:

  • Parentline - (778) 782-3548: The Parent Helpline is a free telephone service to parents and others experiencing family life or parenting challenges. This nonjudgmental service provides a listening ear, support and guidance to parents and caregivers who are upset or troubled about a family issue, have parenting-related questions or just need someone to speak to.

  • APSGO Association of Parents Support Groups in Ontario - (800) 488-5666: APSGO is an organization of parents of disruptive youth.We have joined together to provide support and empower parents to deal with their situation.The organization provides weekly meetings, workshops and other resources to assist parents in acquiring the skills to help themselves and their children.

  • Manitoba Parent Zone - (877) 945-4777: The Manitoba Parent Line (formerly known as the Triple P Parent Line) connects callers to trained parent counsellors who provide confidential assistance, information & support for child development issues and many common parenting concerns (tantrums, bedtime problems etc.). The parent counsellors also provide Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) consultation which is based on a set of easy, proven solutions and strategies to manage parenting challenges in a positive way.

  • Breakaway Youth & Family Services - (416) 234-1942: It is a counselling agency that helps youth 13 to 25 and their families who are concerned about the use of drugs or alcohol.

  • Families In Transition (416) 585-9151: Counselling services for families coping with separation, divorce and remarriage; primary focus is on child adjustment.

  • Parents for Youth - (416) 921-8092: Parents for Youth has acquired and developed an effective method for dealing with children with severe behaviour problems. It will help you regain lost authority in your home.

Click HERE for a helpful article on First Aid for Suicidal Thoughts.

NOTE: OAHJ does not endorse any organization, nor can we vouch for their authenticity or integrity. Please always do your research before soliciting help from any organization, no matter how "well known” or “recognized” they may be.

In the U.S.A.: What to do if you are in crisis;

  • Call your local law enforcement agency (USA): dial 911;

  • If you live outside the USA please dial your local emergency number;

  • Go to the nearest walk-in clinic or hospital emergency room;

  • If you are already working with a trauma healing practitioner, call their office or their emergency phone number;

  • If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call your local hotline or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA) at 1 (800) 799-7233;

  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA) at 1 (800) 273-8255 or visit their live online chat here: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/;

  • Call the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline at 1 (800) 662-HELP (4357);

  • Call the NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Helpline at 1 (800) 950-NAMI (6264);

  • Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255);

  • Call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1 (800) 985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746;

  • Call the Trevor Project Helpline at 1 (800) 488-7386.

Click HERE for a helpful article on First Aid for Suicidal Thoughts.

Click HERE for additional resources for - Dealing With Depression: A Resource Guide

NOTE: OAHJ does not endorse any organization, nor can we vouch for their authenticity or integrity. Please always do your research before soliciting help from any organization, no matter how "well known” or “recognized” they may be.