Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis/unsafe and in need of urgent medical assistance, please visit (or advise them/accompany them) to visit the nearest emergency department, CAMH Emergency Services (416-535-8501; 1051 Queen St. W), or call emergency services (911).

If there’s an imminent emergency and you/the person can’t get to the ER. you can call the following teams depending on where you live.

In Toronto:

• Gerstein Centre Crisis Line: 416 929-5200 service borders: south to the lake, north to Eglinton, and then north to Highway 401 (between Bathurst and Bayview), east to Bayview to Danforth and then to Victoria Park, west to Islington Ave.

• St. Mike’s Hospital Mobile Crisis Team via Police Department (911) accessible through police (no direct number). Response team consists of a police officer and a mental health nurse.

• St. Joseph’s Hospital Mobile Crisis Team via Police Department (911) accessible through police (no direct number).

Throughout the GTA:

• Scarborough: 416-289-2434

• Etobicoke, North York and East York: 416-498-0043

• Anishnawbe 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Management Service: 416-891-8606 (for Indigenous/First Nations people)

• Peel Region: 905-278-9036

• York Region: 310-COPE (2673) from 905 area only

If you have a family physician, speak to them first about seeking mental health support to see if they can make a referral to OHIP-covered therapy.

AbiliCBT - free therapy (CBT) for residents of Ontario and Manitoba

Sheena’s Place (counselling and groups for anyone affected by an eating disorder)

Women’s College Trauma Therapy Program (check website for dates waitlists open and referrals needed)

Friends of Ruby (booked & drop-in counselling & case management services for LGBTQ+ youth)

Sherbourne Health Centre (Supporting Our Youth program)

Barbra Schlifer Clinic (counselling, legal support, and interpretive services)

Stella’s Place (counselling, groups, peer support & drop-ins, adults 16-29)

BeanBagChat (chat support with peer supporters for those aged 16-29)

Pieces to Pathways (substance use support drop-ins, counselling, & case management for LGBTQ+ youth; peer-led)

These networks have lower than average (average is about $125-$175 an hour in Toronto) rates for therapy. If you have benefits coverage for psychotherapy/social work services, check with your provider to see which professional titles are included to determine affordability. Others may be considered tax deductible, check the CRA website for more details.

Hard Feelings (intake required; income requirements present; $50-$80 per session)

Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy (provided by students/grads)

OISE Psychology Clinic (provided by students/new grads)

Affordable Therapy Network of Ontario

Project LETS: Google Drive of Resources for Trauma, Anxiety & Self Care

Wellness Together Canada: free, 24/7 mental health and substance use support

So You Feel Like Shit – an interactive self-care question guide

Wysa – your friendly AI penguin life coach (uses DBT/CBT, stress management, mindfulness exercises)

What’s Up? – uses CBT and ACT to help manage anxiety and stress

I Am Sober – for folks with goals of ending or changing substance use

Daylio – quick and simple journalling

Clue – period tracker & ovulation app (hormonal changes monitoring)

DBT & Mental Health Apps: MindShift (anxiety, created by Anxiety Canada); In Flow (mood tracking); Breathe2Relax; Flowy; Start (tracking symptoms of depression and medication effects); DBT Diary Card & Skills Coach; A Simple & Free Skills Diary Card App; DBT Self Help; Impulse DBT; Safety Plan; Virtual Hope Box

Mindfulness Apps: Buddhify; Headspace; Aura; Stop Breathe & Think; Meditation & Relaxation; Calm; Chill; Insight Timer; Simple Habit