If you are feeling suicidal… tell someone.
You are not alone. Talk to a trusted friend, a parent, a coach, a counselor.
I Need to Talk to Someone
That’s great that you have taken this first step and want to talk to someone. There are many different types of services and resources available to you. These include community resources, helplines and virtual services, as well as apps and websites. Some of the services are available in-person, by phone, by text, or online. You can use as many of these services as you want.
Community Resources for Youth in Waterloo Region
Front Door Access to Child and Youth Mental Health Services
Serving the community for more than 20 years, Front Door is a great first step for families and young people who have concerns that relate to behavioural or emotional mental health. Front Door supports youth and parents of children and youth (up to their 18th birthday) who are struggling with life’s challenges such as emotions, behaviours, relationships and mental health.
Call 519-749-2932 or visit online for more information. You can also visit their Facebook page.
Child/Youth Quick Response Service
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health offers fully funded and confidential single-session counselling and therapeutic conversations in person, virtually or by phone. Currently all of the Quick Response sessions are available by appointment only. This service is available to:
- Parents/caregivers of a child or youth under 18 years old
- Young people under the age of 12 with their parents/caregivers
- Young people between 12 years old and their 18th birthday- they can attend on their own or with a parent/caregiver/support person.
To book an appointment, please reach out to Front Door at 519-749-2932.
Ok2BMe
OK2BME is a set of supportive services for 2SLGBTQIA+ identified children, teens, adults and their families in Waterloo Region. The OK2BME program consists of three unique areas including confidential counselling services (in person or online), OK2BME Youth Groups for individuals 12-18, as well as public education, consulting and training around 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.
Call 519-884-0000 or visit online for more information. You can also check out their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Kind Minds Family Wellness
Kind Minds Family Wellness provides culturally grounded counselling for youth aged 11 to 29. Counselling is provided by licensed and trauma-informed professionals, and participants are eligible for up to 8 free counselling sessions. Self-referrals are accepted as well. To learn more about their counselling services, visit their website or call 226-336-1988.
Helplines and Virtual Services for Youth
Kids Help Phone
- Phone (24/7)- 1-800-668-6868
- Text (24/7)- Text CONNECT (English) or PARLER (French) to 686868
- Online (24/7)- https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/
LGBT Youthline
- Text (Sunday to Friday, 4pm to 9:30 pm)- 647-694-4275
- Online (Sunday to Friday, 4pm to 9:30pm)- Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line
One Stop Talk
- Available for youth aged 17 and under in Ontario, to connect with a therapist.
- Call 1-855-416-8255 or visit their website to use the online chat (Monday-Friday 12pm -8pm EST and Saturday 12pm -4pm EST).
WES for Youth
- Virtual Counselling (sign-up is required): Virtual Counselling – WES For Youth Online
988 Canada Suicide Crisis HelpLine (24/7)
- Phone (24/7): 9-8-8
- Text (24/7): 9-8-8
Apps & Websites
Mind Your Mind – https://mindyourmind.ca/
mindyourmind exists in the space where mental health, wellness, engagement, and technology meet. We work with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
We Matter- wemattercampaign.org
We Matter is an Indigenous youth-led and nationally registered organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion. Our work started with the We Matter Campaign – a national multi-media campaign in which Indigenous role models, youth, and community members from across Canada submit short videos, written and artistic messages sharing their own experiences of overcoming hardships, and communicating with Indigenous youth that no matter how hopeless life can feel, there is always a way forward.
Is anxiety getting in the way of your life? MindShift CBT uses scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.
Catch It is an app to help users better understand their moods through the use of an ongoing diary. The app was designed to illustrate some of the key principles of psychological approaches to mental health and well-being, and specifically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
