National Directory for Canadian Families

Support Groups

Online information, resources and educational webinars for caregivers supporting family members, friends, and neighbours online caregiver support groups for all ages, including young caregiver online support group for ages 15-25 yearsHelpline for caregiver information, assessment and referral to connect people to community servicesSCALE Program (Supporting Caregiver Awareness Learning and Empowerment) information sessions online group coaching and one-on-one telephone counselling1:1 Peer Mentor Program registered caregiver participants connect by phone or online/virtual discussion with an assigned mentor, the Peer Mentors share their experience and knowledge

Youth Mental Health

If you are a child or youth with a concern about your experiences with a service provider or feel that your rights may have been violated, or you need information on how to access a service in the province’s care systems, please call the Advocate’s Office at 416-325-5669 or 1-800-263-2814 (toll-free). The Ontario Child Advocate (the Advocate"s Office) is an independent voice for Ontario"s children and youth who are either “in care” or on the margins of government care in the following areas of its mandate: -Child welfare -Youth in custody or detention in the youth justice system -Children"s mental health services -Students of provincial and demonstration schools -First Nations children and youth -Children and youth with special needs -Youth in police or court holding cells or being transported to and - from court holding cells

Youth Mental Health

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is the regulatory body for social workers and social service workers in Ontario.   College membership is required for any person in Ontario who wishes to use the title social worker or social service worker and/or registered social worker or registered social service worker.   Members of the public can contact the college to ensure that a social worker is indeed registered as a "registered social worker" (RSW).

Youth Mental Health

The Ontario government created Ontario Early Years Centres to be a place where parents and caregivers can get answers to questions, information about programs and services that are available for young children, and an opportunity to talk to early years professionals, as well as other parents and caregivers in the community. You and your child can visit an Ontario Early Years Centre for a range of free services whic may include: Early learning and literacy programs for parents and their children; Parenting programs that support parents and caregivers of young children in all aspects of early child development; Information and training for new parents about pregnancy and parenting. There are 103 Ontario Early Years Centres in communities across the province.   To find the one nearest you, call the Ontario Early Years Centres INFOlinetoll-free at 1-866-821-7770, TTY 1-800-387-5559.

Crisis lines

Provides a volunteer suicide prevention network which supports Ontario"s farming community Guardians are over the age of 18 and have completed The Guardian Network training program Can identify the signs of mental distress, react to farmers at risk, and connect individuals with appropriate mental health and crisis ressourcesMore information can be found at the Agriculture Wellness Ontario website

Youth Mental Health

The Ontario Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS) (i.e. private schools) is a legally incorporated, duly constituted coalition of non-sectarian schools, religious schools and home-schoolers, established in 1974. "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their child." Their website has listings of local area independent schools throughout Ontario.

Youth Mental Health & Youth Addictions & Mental Health

The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) represents the collective interests of 29 Friendship Centres in cities and towns across the province. Friendship Centres are places for community members and Indigenous people living in urban spaces to gather, connect with one another and receive culturally based services. Friendship Centres improve the lives of urban Indigenous people by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access to, and participation in, Canadian society while respecting Indigenous cultural distinctiveness.

Youth Mental Health

Support group for Fragile X.

Addiction Treatment & Addiction Counselling

Program partnered with Cancer Care Ontario designed to enhance knowledge, build capacity and empower Indigenous communities with the skills and tools needed to address tobacco cessation, protection and prevention

Community Mental Health Centers

Therapeutic services -- counselling for adults, parents, adolescents and children * individual psychotherapy -- relationship problems, depression, anxiety, sexual abuse, eating disorders * assessment services -- psychological, educational, learning disabilities for adults, adolescents and children * literacy centre for children -- remedial and corrective reading, and academic intervention * clients are seen by supervised graduate students

In person crisis services

Provides support services to Indigenous women and their families who are experiencing violence and are involved in the child welfare system Works to meet the needs of women involved with both the Child Welfare Systems (CAS) and Violence Against Women Sectors (VAW)Aims to create a safe and supportive means of living through collaboration with other community services and the provision of culturally based services including: Advocacy support Crisis management Cultural and traditional supports such as holistic teachings, sharing circles, ceremonies and guidance from Elders Information and education provision for mothers on their rights and responsibilities Systems navigation Work with families and Children"s Aid Society (CAS) to resolve conflict

In person crisis services

COVID-19 (30 April 2020): Offices across Ontario are closed and all programming suspended until further notice. Staff will continue to work remotely. Community members are encouraged to check the social media pages for updates, and health and safety tips.This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.Support services for families in crisis and aid in creating safe and supportive means of living through support of culturally safe systems through: crisis management services traditional supports systems navigation advocacy support holistic teachings partnerships with other service providers

In person crisis services & Community Mental Health Centers

Provides supports for Indigenous women, youth and girls affected by sexual exploitationCrisis services include: Immediate response to women at risk of human trafficking or leaving a situation of trafficking Stabilization with transportation to safe housing Collaboration with police services as required Access to ongoing trauma-informed, culturally-based crisis care and supports as neededLong-term supports and services include: Case management Developing safety plans Short and long-term planning One on one supportive counselling Referrals and transportation/accompaniment to community resources Follow-up services as required

Community Mental Health Centers

Provides support services to Indigenous women and their families who are struggling with mental health issues Aims to help improve Indigenous health and reduce family violenceServices offered include: Access to elders and healers Addictions Aftercare support Land-based therapy Mental health Traditional counselling Referrals to other programs or agencies Sharing/healing circles

Community Mental Health Centers

Provides support services to Indigenous women and their families who are struggling with mental health issues Aims to help improve Indigenous health and reduce family violenceServices offered include: Access to elders and healers Addictions Aftercare support Land-based therapy Mental health Traditional counselling Referrals to other programs or agencies Sharing/healing circles