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RESOURCES
All listings are fully up-to-date as of March 2024.
FREE, 24/7 CRISIS SUPPORT
Non-coercive, anti-oppressive crisis services for folx 16+ in the GTA. 24/7 telephone support, in-person mobile crisis team for central Toronto, community support referrals, harm reduction-based substance use crisis management, and access to short-term crisis beds. Phone interpretation services are available 24/7 in 180+ languages.
GERSTEIN CRISIS CENTRE
416-929-5200
https://gersteincentre.org
DISTRESS CENTRES OF TORONTO
416-408-4357 (GTA)
905-459-7777 (Peel)
https://www.dcogt.com/408-helpline/
Trained volunteer responders can support you with overwhelming emotional distress, marginalisation and mistreatment, abuse of all forms, crisis de-escalation, thoughts of suicide, and more. 24/7 support is available in English only. See listing below for multilingual support during specific hours.
VICTIM SERVICES TORONTO
416-808-7066 (GTA)
https://www.victimservicestoronto.com/home
VST’s Crisis Response Program provides immediate, trauma-informed, client-centred support to victims of family/community violence (‘crime’) and sudden tragedy. Over the phone or at a location of your choosing (e.g., home, hospital, police station, on-scene), they can offer crisis prevention and de-escalation, immediate safety planning, emotional support, referrals, and advocacy. Clients can access services whether or not they file a report with the police. Services available in 35+ languages.
DISTRESS CENTRE HALTON
905-681-1488 (Burlington)
905-877-1211 (Halton Hills/Milton)
905-561-5800 (Hamilton)
905-849-4541 (Oakville)
https://www.dchalton.ca
Trained volunteer responders can support you with feelings of loneliness, relationship issues, bullying, anger management, thoughts of suicide, school or work issues, substance use, abuse, crisis de-escalation, and much more. No issue is too big or too small. Services are provided in English.
DURHAM MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES’ C.A.L.L. (CRISIS-ACCESS-LINKAGE-LINE) SERVICE
1-800-742-1890 (Toll Free)
905-666-0483 (Local)
https://dmhs.ca/cause/crisis-response/
Depending on your needs, the call centre can provide immediate crisis support, arrange a mobile visit at a preferred location or a bed stay in one of their Crisis Services locations, or help to link you to on-going support. Serving Durham region in English.
Offers immediate crisis support as well as intake, assessment, referrals, and system navigation for mental health and substance use services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo-Wellington. If you need a service outside of what Here 24/7 can offer, they'll do their best to link you directly. Services provided in English.
ADDICTIONS, MENTAL HEALTH & CRISIS SERVICES WATERLOO-WELLINGTON’S HERE 24/7
1-844-437-3247 (Toll Free)
https://here247.ca
ASSAULTED WOMEN’S HELPLINE
416-863-0511 (GTA)
1-866-863-0511 (Toll Free)
1-866-863-7868 (Toll Free TTY)
#SAFE (#7233) on your Bell, Rogers, Fido, or Telus cell phone
Live chat on website
https://www.awhl.org/home
Feminist, Ontario-wide crisis counselling, emotional support, safety planning, and referrals in 200+ languages for all women experiencing any form of abuse. Family, friends, and others with concerns about a survivor are also supported.
SENIORS’ SAFETY LINE
1-866-299-1011 (Toll Free)
1-866-299-0008 (Toll Free TTY)
https://www.awhl.org/seniors
Ontario-wide crisis counselling, emotional support, safety planning, and referrals via telephone in 200+ languages for seniors as well as relatives, friends, neighbours, caregivers, and service professionals with questions or concerns about the safety of an elder.
A trained and experienced peer counsellor is available to speak with any and all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence as well as their supporters. Interpreters provided 24/7 (languages not specified).
TORONTO RAPE CRISIS CENTRE
416-597-8808
https://trccmwar.ca/crisis-line/
HOPE FOR WELLNESS HELPLINE
1-855-242-3310 (Toll Free)
Live chat on website
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
Provides culturally grounded crisis support, counselling, and referrals to all Indigenous people across Canada. Trained counsellors are First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and non-Indigenous, with a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds. Services are available 24/7 in English and French. Support in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut is available upon request.
BEENDIGEN’S TALK4HEALING HELPLINE
1-855-554-4325 (Toll Free, text or call)
807-346-4357 (Thunder Bay, text or call)
Live chat on website
https://www.beendigen.com/programs/talk4healing/
Provides culturally grounded, Ontario-wide counselling, referrals, and resources to Indigenous women and their families. Services are available in Oji-Cree, Potawatomi, Micmac, Black Foot, Anishinaabe, Moose Cree, Swampy Cree, English, Cree, Algonquin, Inuktitut, Mohawk, Oneida, and Odawa.
FEM’AIDE
1-877-336-2433 (Text or call)
Live chat on website
https://femaide.ca/
Feminist, anti-oppressive support and referrals for French-speaking women who have experienced sexual and/or gender-based violence. Fem’aide can also respond to requests for information made by family and friends of survivors.
Free crisis counselling with a licensed practitioner for domestic and international post-secondary students in Ontario. You can get in touch about things like anxiety, relationships, substance use, discrimination, culture shock, feelings of homesickness and isolation, and much more. Services are available in 100+ languages.
FREE SUPPORT LINES — SPECIFIED HOURS
DISTRESS CENTRES OF TORONTO
MULTILINGUAL SERVICES
Monday to Friday, 10:00am-10:00pm
1-877-298-5444 (Caledon)
905-459-7777 (Brampton & Mississauga)
905-278-4890 (TTY)
https://www.dcogt.com/multilingual-distress-lines/
Trained volunteer responders can support you with overwhelming emotional distress, relationship issues, life transitions, migration stress, marginalisation and mistreatment, abuse of all forms, crisis de-escalation, thoughts of suicide, and much more. Services available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
TRANS LIFELINE
Monday to Friday 1:00-9:00pm (EST)
1-877-330-6366 (Toll Free)
https://translifeline.org/
Canada-wide peer-based support for trans and questioning community that’s been divested from police since day one. Zero non-consensual, coercive intervention (e.g., calling 911 or emergency services). Run by and for trans people. Services in English and Spanish.
LGBT YOUTHLINE
Sunday to Friday 4:00-9:30pm (EST)
647-694-4275 (Text only, phone line has been closed)
Live chat on website
https://www.youthline.ca/get-support/ways-we-support/
Ontario-wide peer-based support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Trained volunteers, 16-29 years old, can support you with exploring your gender identity and/or sexuality; coming outs; relationships with friends, partners, and family; feeling socially isolated; referrals to resources online and in your community; and more. While responders can discuss mental health and chat if you are feeling distressed, they are not trained in crisis support. Services in English.
NISA HELPLINE
7 days a week, 10:00am-10:00pm (EST)
1-888-315-6472 (Toll Free)
https://nisahelpline.com/
North America-wide peer-based counselling, referrals, and emotional and spiritual support for Muslim women.
ISLAMOPHOBIA SUPPORT LINE
416-613-8729
https://riwc.ca/virtual-helpline-for-muslim-women-and-youth
Toronto-based peer counselling for womxn and youth who have experienced anti-Muslim hate. Trained volunteers can help demystify the reporting process, connect you with community resources, and offer culturally grounded support. Call 24/7 – if a responder is not available at that time, your message will be returned within 48 hours.
CHAI LIFELINE’S CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm
Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm
1-800-556-6238
https://chailifelinecanada.org/crisis-intervention/
Trained volunteers from Toronto’s Jewish community provide culturally responsive emotional and practical support in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, tragedy, or local or global traumatic event. Offerings include: providing guidance on how to notify children, family members, and friends about a sudden death or tragic incident; coping skills, validation, and reassurance; navigating difficult questions and dilemmas; assistance in mediating with the press, hospital, police, and other agencies; consultation with schools, organisations, or synagogues; and referrals.
FREE SERVICE ACCESS & RESOURCE REFERRALS
If you call 211, trained Community Navigators can assess your needs and help to connect you to programs and services across all of Ontario. The online database allows you to search by location, need, and community affiliation. Resource topics include: Abuse & Assault, Community Programs, Disabilities, Emergency/Crisis, Employment/Training, Family Services, Financial Assistance, Food, Francophones, Government/Legal, Health Care, Homelessness, Housing, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ+, Mental Health/Addictions, Newcomers, Older Adults, and Youth. Service is available in 150+ languages. Live chat in English and French is available on the website Monday-Friday, 7:00am-9:00pm. A 24/7 chatbot is also available on the website, in English.
211 ONTARIO
211 (Live responders, 24/7)
https://211ontario.ca
ConnexOntario provides program information and services referrals for people experiencing issues with substance use, gambling, or mental health. Family and friends of folx experiencing these issues can also access information and support. Trained system navigation specialists answer all calls, texts, emails, or web chat requests 24/7. Service is available in 170+ languages.
CONNEXONTARIO
1-866-531-2600 (Live responders, 24/7)
https://www.connexontario.ca
Use this comprehensive directory to find health, social, and community services in the GTA, including East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, and York. The online database allows you to search by location, language, and keyword. Browsable resource topics include: Older Adults, Caregivers, Mental Health/Addictions, Abuse/Assault, COVID & Flu Season Resources, Community Programs, Disability Service & Support Programs, Emergency/Crisis, Employment/Education, Food, Government/Legal, Health Care, Homelessness, Housing, Income Support, Shelters, Substance Use, Transportation, Serving Black Communities, 2SLGBTQI+, Francophone Services, Indigenous Peoples, Newcomers, and Youth.
TORONTO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTORY
https://torontoservicedirectory.ca
RAINBOW HEALTH ONTARIO DIRECTORY
https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/lgbt2sq-health/service-provider-directory/
Use this directory to find Ontario-wide health, healing, and social service providers who have expressed a commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care. Click the ‘Advanced Search’ button to refine by service provider type and language. The dropdown ‘Expertise With’ menu (also found in the ‘Advanced Search’ area) acknowledges the multiplicity of queer and trans experience and takes into account the intersections of race, disability, age, migration context, and HIV status; the keyword function works well for adding further specificity.
The 519 responds holistically to the evolving needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in the GTA and beyond — from counselling, community-building, and queer parenting resources to coming out groups, newcomer services, trans programming, and youth and seniors’ support. Use this directory to search by community, need, and interest.
Scope (Seamless Care Optimizing the Patient Experience) offers a comprehensive browsable list of service providers and resources in the GTA. Their Patient Resource Guide for Mental Health Support can help you navigate options for therapy/counselling and consider what type of mental health support might best fit your needs.
FREE SINGLE SESSION COUNSELLING
No health card or referral required
FAMILY SERVICE TORONTO
https://familyservicetoronto.org/our-services/programs-and-services/walk-in-clinic/
Service: Single session virtual counselling for clients 18+. Anti-oppressive and 2SLGBTQIA+ positive.
Format & Hours: Telephone sessions available Monday-Friday, 9:00am-6:00pm.
Contact: Call 416-595-9618 to request a same-day appointment (a counsellor will call back between 11:30am and 6:30pm). The earlier you call the better!
Service: Provides same-day, in-person or virtual sessions on a first-come, first-served basis. New clients are prioritised. Individual, couple, and family sessions available. Parental/guardian consent required for clients 12 years and younger.
Format, Hours, & Contact:
In-person sessions are available on Tuesdays at 815 Danforth Ave. Walk in between 4:00pm-6:30pm to book a session (limited spots available). Registration/Intake starts at 4:00pm and ends at 6:30pm (or when spots are filled up). Sessions start between 5:00-7:00pm and end between 6:30-8:30pm based on intake time.
Phone or video sessions are available on Wednesdays. Call 416-645-6000 Ext.1990 between 4:00-6:30pm to book (leave a voicemail if no one answers). Registration/Intake starts at 4:00pm and ends at 6:30pm (or when spots are filled up). Sessions start between 5:00-7:00pm and end between 6:30-8:30pm based on intake time.
WHAT’S UP WALK-IN
https://www.whatsupwalkin.ca/about-whats-up-walk-in/
Service: Single session therapy for children, youth, and young adults up to their 29th birthday. Parents, families, and caregivers may access service along with their child. Services specific to 2SLGBTQIA+ folx up to 26 years old on Mondays between 10:00am-2:00pm as part of their Q.T. Mondays program.
Format, Hours, & Contact: Multiple in-person locations and virtual options, Monday-Saturday, with various hours of service. See the online schedule for day-to-day availability (click on the time slot in the 'WUWI Schedule' calendar for details on how to access that particular appointment).
STELLA’S PLACE
https://stellasplace.ca/programs/
Service: Same-day drop-in or virtual counselling for youth aged 16-29 who live in Toronto (in any postal code beginning with ‘M’).
Format, Hours, & Contact:
In-Person sessions are available Thursdays between 2:00-6:00pm at 54 Wolseley St. The earlier you arrive the better!
Phone or video sessions are available on Tuesdays between 2:00-6:00pm. Participants can book an appointment by phone at 416-461-2345 Ext. 1 or by email at connect@stellasplace.ca. It’s best to reach out prior to 12:00pm on Tuesday to secure your spot.
ANISHNAWBE HEALTH TORONTO
https://aht.ca/service/walk-in-counselling-services/
Service: Single session counselling and referrals for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis Peoples (status or non-status) and their families. Walk in or book ahead of arrival.
Format & Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00am-1:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm, in person.
Contact: Walk in at 179 Gerrard St. E. or call 416-920-2605 for an appointment.