I Am a Parent/Guardian
What do I do if my child is at serious risk of hurting him/herself or someone else?
Call 9-1-1 immediately.
Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) Niagara
COAST Niagara is a 24/7 mobile crisis outreach and intervention service for individuals age 16 years and older offering phone counselling and, if necessary, on-site intervention at home or in the community by mental health professionals with specially trained officers from Niagara Regional Police Service.
Call: 1-866-550-5205 ext. 1
www.niagarapolice.ca/en/whatwedo/coast.asp
What do I do if my child is at risk of hurting him/herself or someone else but does not need an ambulance or police assistance to get to the hospital?
Take your child to the nearest hospital emergency department. Four hospitals in the Niagara Region have emergency departments, open 24/7:
Grimsby – West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, 169 Main Street East
www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/about-us/our-organization/our-locations/west-lincoln-memorial-hospital
Niagara Falls – Niagara Heath Greater Niagara General Site, 5546 Portage Road
www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/niagara-falls-site
St. Catharines – Niagara Health St. Catharines Site, 1200 Fourth Avenue
www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/st-catharines-site
Welland – Niagara Health Welland Site, 65 Third Street
www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/welland-site
The closest children’s hospital emergency department is at McMaster Children’s Hospital, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton.
What do I do if my child needs support now, but it is not a mental health crisis or emergency?
If the situation is urgent, please see the options under “I Am a Student” for telephone hotlines and local mental health walk-in clinics.
If your child is able to wait for a referral and appointment:
Pathstones Mental Health is the first point of contact for mental health services for children (0-18 years). Please contact Pathstones at 905-688-6850 to set up an intake appointment where you can share your concerns You can also visit their website at www.pathstonesmentalhealth.ca
What do I do if I need support now, but it is not a mental health crisis or emergency?
If the situation is urgent, please see the options under “I Am a Student” for telephone hotlines and local mental health walk-in clinics. Many of the resources are for parents/adults, too!
If you are able to wait for a referral and appointment:
Mental Health and Addictions Access Line
Mental Health and Addictions Access Line can be the first point of access to adult (age 16 and older) mental health and addiction services in the Niagara Region. Trained volunteers provide confidential 24/7 phone support and connections to appropriate local mental health and addictions services.
Call: 1-866-550-5205
accesslineniagara.com
I Am a Student
I feel unsafe, what should I do?
If you are under the age of 16 years and it is an emergency, find an adult and ask him/her to call 9-1-1. If you are age 16 years or older and it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 yourself.
I feel safe, but I need to talk to someone now, what should I do?
I prefer to talk with someone over the phone, by text, or by live chat:
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone provides confidential, 24/7 professional counselling, information, and resources over the phone, text, or live chat.
Call: 1-800-668-6868
Text: HOME to 686868
Live chat: www.kidshelpphone.ca
LGBT Youth Line
LGBT Youth Line is a confidential, safe, and judgment-free place to talk for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning youth.
Call: 1-800-268-9688
Text: 647-694-4275
Live chat: www.youthline.ca
Pathstone Crisis Support Line
Pathstone Mental Health provides 24/7 support, information, and professional counselling over the phone.
Call: 1-800-263-4944
Distress Centre Niagara
A 24/7 confidential phone support service for all ages. Highly skilled volunteers listen to concerns, help solve problems, and provide information and referrals.
Call: Fort Erie and area 905-382-0689
Grimsby and West Lincoln 905-563-6674
Port Colborne, Wainfleet, and area 905-734-1212
St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and area 905-688-3711
Victim Services Niagara Emergency Referral Line
A 24/7 phone service for individuals impacted by criminal, violent, or aggressive acts, or trauma, tragedy, or disaster. A Crisis Responder will offer support and information about services.
Call: 905-682-2626
CARSA Crisis and Information Line
A 24/7 confidential phone support service for individuals affected by sexual violence. A counsellor will offer non-judgmental support, understanding, information, and specific options.
Call: 905-682-4584
One Stop Talk
One Stop Talk is a free service that offers children and youth (aged 0-17 years) immediate access to mental health support. Provides single session counselling support and ensures direct referral to additional services when needed.
Monday to Friday 12pm-8pm and Saturdays from 12pm-4pm
Call: 855-416-8255
Visit: https://onestoptalk.ca/
Indigenous Hope for Wellness Line
The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are reachable by telephone and online 'chat' 24/7
Call: 1-855-242-3310
Live Chat: www.hopeforwellness.ca
Naseeha
This all ages Muslim support line provides culturally competent online therapy and mental health support 7 days a week from 12pm-3am.
Call: 1-866-627-3342
Text: 1-866-627-3342
Live Chat: www.naseeha.org
I prefer to talk with someone in person:
Pathstone Mental Health Hear & Now Walk-In Clinics
Pathstone’s Hear & Now Walk-In Clinics provide no cost, drop-in, single-session individual counselling to parents or children ages 6 to 17 years. No OHIP card required. Locations in Beamsville, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, St. Catharines, Thorold, and Welland. Prior to visiting, phone 1-800-263-4944 or check the website for more information. Phone and video counselling may be offered.
pathstonementalhealth.ca/walk-in-clinic
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Niagara Walk-In Clinics
CMHA’s Walk-In Clinics provide no cost, drop-in, single-session counselling to individuals age 16 years and older. No OHIP card required. During COVID-19, access this service by calling 905-641-5222 on weekdays between 8:30am and 5:30pm. Phone and video counselling are available.
niagara.cmha.ca/programs-services/someone-to-talk-to/
Family Counselling Centre (FCC) Niagara Walk-In Clinic
FCC Niagara’s Walk-In Clinic provides no cost, drop-in, single-session counselling for individuals of all ages. No OHIP card required. To access a phone or virtual session, call 905-937-7731 ext. 3345 on weekdays between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
www.fccniagara.on.ca/?page_id=3879