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Supports for Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health. It is an important part of our overall well-being that helps each of us reach our potential and deal with the regular stresses of life.

Throughout life, most people will experience times of both good mental health and poorer mental health. Challenges such as loss, trauma, or stress can lead to poorer mental health.

People can also start to develop symptoms of a mental illness. Mental illnesses can include things like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-partum depression among others.

You are not alone! Whether you’re experiencing poor mental health or symptoms of a mental illness, there are resources in our community where you can get help. Here are some links and information that may help:


If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a psychiatric crisis, call 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency department.

9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgement. Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English or French. For more information, visit https://988.ca.

For more information on mental illnesses generally, visit the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

There are free and credible resources available 24/7 to help support the mental health of people in Canada – Get Help Here. More local and broader supports are listed below.

Click to learn more about…

 

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Local Mental Health Supports for Adults

  • Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge
    705-748-6711
    Offers a broad range of mental health services and programs for those living with serious mental illness.  The office remains open and is providing programs, services and information over the phone or virtually at this time.
  • Talk-Now – Mental health and Addictions Virtual Clinic
    705-876-5826
    All ages clinic. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30am-noon
  • CCRC (Community Counselling and Resource Centre)
    705-742-4258
    Professional and confidential counselling services, for people of all ages who are experiencing problems.  Fees are geared to income.  Offices are closed, but the agency is meeting clients’ needs via phone, e-mail and other methods.
  • Mental Health Services, Adult Outpatient ProgramPeterborough Regional Health Centre
    705-876-5028
    Offers assessment and treatment to those coping with a mental illness and where appropriate, to their families.  Offering telephone and tele-video appointments at this time.
  • Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT)
    (Referral from a PFHT family doctor/Nurse Practitioner is required)
    Mental Health
     Clinicians work together with your doctor and/or Nurse Practitioner to help you learn new skills for managing stress, anxiety, depression and other life changes.  We offer short-term counselling of 1-6 sessions.  Offering telephone appointments at this time.
  • Telecare Distress Centre
    705-745-2273 (24 hours)
    Telephone support line, for people who are feeling lonely, troubled, or confused.  A free, confidential and anonymous service.
  • Your Primary Health Care Provider
    May be able to provide treatment and support or provide a referral to local mental health and addictions supports over the phone.

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Broader Support for Mental Health

  • Togetherall (Formerly Big White Wall) | Togetherall
    24/7 Peer to Peer online mental health support network.
  • BounceBack
    A free skill-building program offered by CMHA.  One version for adults and one for youth 15 – 18 years. To manage low mood, mild depression, anxiety, stress and worry.  Over the phone with a coach and through on-line videos.
  • Breaking Free Online (BFO)
    A confidential online platform to help support wellness around substance use. Present physical (social) distancing measures are affecting the delivery of addiction services and the ability of clients to access treatment and recovery support. Breaking Free Online is offering their services to anyone with a substance use disorder who is not able to access their regular support. BFO will give them continuous access to personalized behavioural support online. To access this service, use the code CAPSA2020 to sign in.
  • ConnexOntario
    Ontario’s mental health, addictions and problem gambling help line, which can provide contact information for local mental health and addictions services and supports, including crisis lines.
  • Mental Health: 1-866-531-2600
  • Addictions: 1-800-565-8603
  • Problem Gambling: 1-888-230-3505
  • Institute for Advancements in Mental Health
    Reach out to a counsellor at 1-855-449-9949 or email at support@iamentalhealth.ca
    Offers a support line for individuals and caregivers, which is staffed by mental health counsellors. Topics that can be supported are listed on their website here. This is a continuation of the former service offered to those previously using Ask the Expert (ATE), the former The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario’s specific service that assisted people living with schizophrenia and psychosis and their families across Ontario through telephone, online and in-person support.
  • Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT)
    Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) is a practical, short-term program delivered online.  It helps people develop skills and strategies to address symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression.  It can also help people cope with situations related to COVID-19, such as isolation, pressure caring for family and community members, information overload and stress.
    If iCBT is right for you, you will be supported by a therapist online to:

  • Wellness Together Canada
    Provides free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed.
  • Mental Health Support for Indigenous People
    Indigenous people can contact Hope for Wellness for immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention across Canada.  To get help:

    • call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free)
    • use the live web chat
      Services are available in some Indigenous languages.
  • Mindful Moments Sessions
    A virtual 15-minute mindfulness + yoga session offered twice daily from Monday to Friday by the Centre for Innovation in Peer Support and everyone is welcome!  The morning session is from 8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. and the afternoon session is from 4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.  Click the link for information about how to connect.DepressionHurts.ca

 

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Local Mental Health Supports for Children, Youth and Young Adults

  • Kinark Child and Family Services
    705-742-3803
    A children’s mental health centre offering free services to children and youth with mental health issues, as well as support to their families/caregivers.  Staff are currently providing telephone support and advice to clients for critical issues.
  • Mental Health Services, Family and Youth ClinicPeterborough Regional Health Centre
    705-876-5114
    Offers outpatient programs for children/adolescents (0-18 years) and their families, including an Urgent Care Clinic, Family and Youth Clinic and Eating Disorders Clinic.  Services are currently being provided through telephone and video conferencing.
  • Peterborough Youth Services
    705-743-1681
    Provides counselling and support to young people aged 10-18 years and their families at no cost.  The organization is currently providing services and supports by phone.

 

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Broader Mental Health Supports for Children, Youth and Young Adults

  • One Stop Talk
    Offers an online opportunity to connect 1 to 1 with a counsellor through online chat, video and voice no matter where you live in Ontario.
  • Good2Talk
    1-866-925-5454
    Provides confidential mental health counselling and referrals for post-secondary students in Ontario.
    Dial 1-866-925-5454 to talk.
    Text “GOOD2TALKON” to 686868.
  • Kids Help Phone
    1-800-668-6868 (24 hours)
    Provides confidential toll-free phone, text or chat counselling to children and teenagers experiencing a wide variety of problems, issues and concerns.

 

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Local Mental Health Supports for Older Adults

  • PRHC, Psychogeriatric Assessment Service for the Elderly (PASE)
    A program that offers geriatric mental health assessment, consultation and education services. They provide treatment for people 65 and older. You must be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner. For more information, visit their website.
  • PRHC, Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN)
    An inter-professional team of healthcare professionals who are available to strengthen supports and capacity for older adults whose health concerns threaten their ability to live independently at home (including retirement residences). One of the areas they can support includes teaching about dementia and behavioural care. Patients and families can self-refer, by completing a referral form and either returning by fax to 705-876-5058 or mailing it to PRHC addressed to the GAIN clinic. For questions, call the clinic at 705-876-5021.
  • To learn more about specific mental well-being challenges later in life and broader options for where to find support, check out this series of CAHM handouts:  Access the Multilingual Handouts here.

 

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Resources for Domestic Abuse

 

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Other Community Services Information and Support

  • Health Connect Ontario
    A free, secure and confidential service you can call or access online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or find health services or information.

  • 211 Ontario
    Dial 2-1-1
    211 Ontario provides information on government and community-based social services that can help you through this pandemic.
    Support is available phone (dial 211) where Community Navigators can take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in 150 languages, through their website and search tool at 211ontario.ca, and through a ‘Live Chat’, on-line Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

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COVID-19 Mental Health Resources

For a listing of Substance Use and Harm Reduction related resources and supports, please visit our Substance Use and Harm Reduction webpage.