Taking care over the winter break
Though the holiday season is often equated with warmth, joy, festivity and happy moments with family and friends, for many this is not the case. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, grief, and anxiety can be magnified against this backdrop.
Here are some resources to have handy if needed:
- Children and teens can speak with a counsellor 24/7 by calling Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868.
- Children’s Mental Health Ontario agencies provide support to children and youth virtually and by phone. No physician referral is required and no OHIP card is necessary to access services. Find a Children’s Mental Health Centre in your community.
- The Black Youth Helpline offers support for all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools. Please call: 1-833-294-8650
- The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Please call 1-855-242-3310
- The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) offers a 24-hour Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line with culturally specific mental health and addiction supports for adults, youth, and families in Ontario in both English and French, please call: 1-877-767-7572.
- Use Ontario 211 to look up the services available in your area.
- Try the Kids’ Help Phone Resources Around Me.
- You may wish to review the Prepare, Prevent; Respond Quick Reference (available in many languages) for more information about suicide prevention.
If you or your child or teen is in crisis, contact your local community crisis team.