Searching for Crisis Lines

COVID19 - Remains open * all programs and services operational * staff available to answer crisis help line, 905-728-7311 or toll free 1-800-263-3725, and can provide crisis counselling, support and safety planning

Shelter support and crisis counselling services include:

• secure emergency shelter for women and children fleeing abuse of any kind whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial
• up to 27 crisis beds available
• confidential 24-hour crisis and supportive assistance by telephone or in person at the shelter
• emergency transportation to the shelter
• food, clothing and basic personal necessities
• supportive counselling for women, safety planning
• children's program staff to support your children
• help finding community resources and supports
• legal and court support referrals and information about your rights
• assistance with special priority for rent geared to income housing
• language interpretation can be arranged with notice
• crisis counselling and transitional support
• Community Support Workers provide support to women and their children who are currently involved in an abusive relationship, are planning on leaving or have left a partner and would like further options to move forward
• help establish short and long-term goal planning, based on individual needs

Support and follow-up are provided through telephone support, email, home visits or an alternative safe location to meet

• short-term supportive counselling
• goal planning
• safety planning
• advocacy, resources and referrals
• housing support groups for women and youth/children

Immediate 24-hour telephone assistance

• Christian ministry staffed by trained volunteers that provides support to individuals and families affected by pregnancy
• confidential

COVID19 - remains open * provides counselling by phone


Emergency shelter

• 15 bed shelter
• services include counselling, referrals and advocacy
• transitional support and children's advocate worker
• crisis line

Mental health, substance abuse and problem gambling treatment services

• 24-hour crisis telephone support

Support services to recent as well as historical or childhood survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse and their families

• 24/7 crisis and support line
• free and confidential service
• individual and group counselling - by phone and secure video (Zoom)
• police, legal, and medical accompaniment
• court advocacy
• public education
• volunteer opportunities and crisis line training

Wait time for individual counselling is currently 9-12 months ; once clients have completed an intake, clients are able to join groups via Zoom, including meditation, yoga, youth survivor's circle, and survivor's circle

Police Services are provided by five community police offices located throughout Durham Region

• policing operations are supported by specialized units coordinated through the Regional Support Services Inspector

Special Units

Traffic Management

• investigate motor vehicle accidents involving death or life threatening injury

Tactical Support

• hostage, barricaded persons and high risk incidents * includes Canine, Marine Patrol, Dive Team and Explosive Disposal

Police Services Crime Management Branch

• coordinates the operation of the Major Crime Unit which is responsible to investigate homicides, sexual assaults, robbery and major frauds
• provides crime scene investigation including fingerprinting, photography, blood splatter analysis and evidence collection through the Forensic Identification Unit

Human Trafficking Unit

• investigates and provides education related to human trafficking

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Drug Units

• report to the Superintendent of Crime Management as do the Duty Inspectors

Administration Support Branch

• provision and management of resources which includes Human Resources, Police Learning, Information Services
• Communications 9-1-1 Centre
• Financial
• Facilities and Fleet Management

COVID19 - Telephone support continues * Distress Centre Durham also offering Text and Web Chat services * Text 258258 * Web Chat through website

Telephone helpline

• addresses issues commonly experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) community
• information and referrals to appropriate businesses, services and social service agencies

COVID19 - Phone support continues * Text service available by texting 258258 * Web Chat service available by going to website

Helpline telephone service to those in distress

• volunteers trained in active listening, crisis intervention and suicide prevention techniques
• emotional support, encourage caller initiative and provide referrals to community resources as necessary
• confidential service
• resource and referral information on suicide and related topics

Community Contact Call-Out Program and Seniors' Reassurance Call-Out Program (55 and up)

• ​gives on-going emotional support to callers who have limited support or resources

Suicide Survivor support groups

• for those who have lost a loved one to suicide

Community Education

• workshops on active listening, loss, crisis and suicide prevention and intervention are available to schools, businesses, agencies and groups

Prideline Durham

• emotional support, crisis intervention, and community referral information specific to the concerns and issues of the LGBTQ community in Durham Region

COVID19 - Remains open * outreach workers provide counselling in person and by phone

Emergency shelter

• free and confidential services to women who are or have experienced abuse
• access to resources and support services
• promote public awareness
• 24-hour crisis line

COVID19
Clients must be screened by phone prior to coming to the office

Regular Service
The Youth Crisis Response Program provides rapid response for children and youth up to the age of 18 exhibiting suicidal, self-harm, or violent/destructive behaviour, in addition to general mental health concerns.

• The service provides an initial risk assessment, arranges for immediate supports and services as part of a safety plan that reduces risk, and develops an individualized plan that addresses treatment issues and accesses community supports.

COVID19 Programs suspended until further notice. Responding to phone and email inquiries.

Regular Service
Kinark is an Accredited Children's Mental Health Centre offering a range of services for children and youth and families of Northumberland County. A variety of programs are offered to support parents and provide counselling for children and youth with behavioural, social and emotional problems.

Services include:

• family, individual, and group counselling (office in Cobourg; satellite office in Campbellford and Brighton)
• community Triple P parent education groups;
• Youth Crisis Response for children/youth who are suicidal or severely aggressive;
• Kawartha Pine Ridge Supervised Access Centre (Cobourg Site) Tel: 1-800-386-6561 ext.345; 705-742-3803 offers separated parents a safe, neutral, child friendly location for visits and exchanges with their children under the supervision of specially trained staff.

Skilled professionals, Social Workers and Child and Youth Workers provide the above services in consultation with a multi-disciplinary team including psychology and psychiatry. Depending on the program, services are offered at Kinark offices, in schools, family homes, and the community. For referrals call Intake

The shelter offers temporary accommodations for women and their children who are seeking shelter from abusive relationships.

• Various forms of abuse are acknowledged (ie: physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, etc)
• Counselling is available to both women and children throughout their stay. Counsellors assist women to build connections with a variety of community services and resources
• Shelter services are available 24 hours a day
• A barrier free room is available to support women with physical challenges
• 24 hours crisis and support counselling is available to women in the community through the support line
• Cornerstone Connect: Text & Chat support for violence and abuse. Text (289) 210-4774 or Chat online at rc.chat/cornerstonefvpc. Mon-Sun 6 pm to 6 am
  • Visit cornerstonenorthumberland.ca/connect for more information

Registered Charitable, Non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse and neglect of older adults, under the Ontario Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse

Seniors Safety Line - Free confidential 365/24/7 support line for seniors experiencing or at-risk of abuse including physical, mental, sexual, neglect, and financial * partnered with Assaulted Women's Helpline (AWHL)

Benefits Navigator online questionnaire to help determine eligibility for services and benefits

Financial assistance

• income support
• death benefit
• disability benefits
• health care benefits
• caregiver benefit
• prisoner of war compensation
• War Veterans Allowance

Veterans Independence Program
Assistance with the cost of home care services

Last Post Fund
Funeral and burial program, see separate listing

Health, Mental Health and Transition services
Medical, psychosocial, vocational rehabilitation, case management, career counselling and job search assistance, and long term care

VAC Assistance Service
24 hour crisis line and short-term problem solving with mental health professionals

Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program (OSISS)
Peer support for those affected by Operational Stress Injury and for their families

Veterans Housing Navigation Team, 416-869-3619 ext 276
Case management for homeless veterans, partnership with Good Shepherd Ministries (see separate listing)

Helmets to Hardhats
Apprenticeship opportunities in the building and construction trades

Crisis response in the home or other community setting

• telephone crisis line
• crisis de-escalation and support
• safety and crisis planning
• mental health assessments
• brief psychotherapy
• referrals to community resources

COVID-19 Offices not open to the public. Contact by phone. Visit website for more information.


Provides services and benefits to meet the health, social and economic needs of veterans, Canadian Forces members, retired members and their dependents. Services include:

• Health services - hearing loss, physical injuries, mental health counselling
• Training, education and job search
• Income support and emergency funding
• Help at home, assistance with at-risk housing situations, death and bereavement
• Benefits for family and caregivers
• Other veterans' groups such as Canadian War Veterans, Allied Veterans, Canadian Merchant Marine, RCMP and Regular Force Veterans may qualify for all or some of the services and benefits

Provides crime prevention services, education and interventions through a variety of programs and services.

Adult Programs

• Pre-Charge Diversion
• Community Service Order
• Direct Accountability Program
• Skills Development Department - Outreach Literacy and Pre Employment
• Institutional Services Program
• Men's Transitional Housing
• Phoenix House Residence
• Partner Assault Response (PAR)
• Anger Management
• Caring Dads

Youth Programs

• Attendance Centre
• EJM/EJS - Extrajudicial Measures/Extrajudicial Sanctions
• Parental Support and Information
• Reintegration
• Towards a Healthy Future
• Youth in Transition
• Breaking the Cycle
• Maple Keys - Section 23 classroom

Crisis and Harm Reduction Programs

• Crisis Program
• Mapping a Plan (MAP) - Harm Reduction Counselling

COVID-19 -- maintain all essential services including supportive housing, assisted living, home care, transportation for essential visits, providing hot meals, frozen meals and food hampers to seniors and people needing isolation

• Transitional Care Centre -- regular service, visits (in person for family and caregiver with appointment)
• also available via phone/virtually telephone reassurance, supportive counselling and service coordination
• Family Health Organization, GAIN Community Team
• Adult Day Program -- in person and virtual care
• Diabetes Education Program -- assessment, consultation, group education
• Wellness and Community Development Program -- in person and virtual platform
• Vocational Training Centre -- in person and virtual platform

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Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm, weekday extended hours, Saturday 10 am-3 pm, available in Scarborough and Richmond Hill

• for persons 55 years and older with special needs, such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack
• personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy
• transportation available

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services, individual support and self help group

• public education, seminars, workshops, information and referral

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars
• caregiver education and support
• information and referral
• workshop licensed by Self-Management Resource Centre

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas, retirement groups,seniors self help groups

• community, wellness and health education
• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- escort to medical appointments, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting, grocery shopping, client intervention and assistance -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling

Geriatric Assessment & Intervention Network (GAIN) Community Team -- wrap around supported care and services with individualized comprehensive geriatric assessment

• intensive case management, personalized care plan
• service navigation

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care, care coordination, scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Transitional Care Respite Stay Program -- short stay transitional care for individuals recuperating from illness/hospitalization and respite (caregiver relief) -- fee

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home

• health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Supportive housing services -- for seniors requiring higher level of care, 24 hour on site services at Alexandra Park Apartments and Tam O'Shanter Towers, emergency response services

Wellness and Social Program -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 50 years and older, drop-in centre, friendship groups, interest classes, outings

Provides a listening ear to anyone in distress, crisis, despair, or is lonely

• provides empathy, non-judgmental listening and where possible, resources to help
• offers reassurance calls
• accepts collect calls
• Staffing: Volunteers

Community mental health crisis response provides support and assistance to individuals 16 years and up. Offers initial support through local and toll-free phone lines.

Services include:

• telephone and/or mobile crisis intervention
• short-term case management
• short-term crisis/safe beds
• emotional support, information and referrals to other appropriate resources

Provides safe, secure shelter for women, with or without children, who are fleeing abuse in their lives.
Services include:

• 24 hour support by phone and in the shelter
• transportation to the shelter (dependant on situation)
• food and emergency clothing while at the shelter
• all meals included
• community referrals
• court and housing support

Family Court Support Worker Program provides information on the family court process and assistance with:

• documenting the history of abuse for family court proceedings
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Mental health, psychological and spiritual wellness centre with traditional Muslim spiritual and faith-based approaches * individual, couple, youth, family and group counselling * in-person and web-based therapy * crisis helpline * support groups and psycho-educational presentations, seminars and workshops * internship placement opportunities for social work and counselling students

COVID-19 -- maintain all essential services including supportive housing, assisted living, home care

• transportation for essential visits
• providing hot meals, frozen meals and food hampers to seniors and people needing isolation
• Transitional Care Centre -- regular service, visits (in person for family and caregiver with appointment)
• also available via phone/virtually telephone reassurance, supportive counselling and service coordination
• Family Health Organization, GAIN Community Team
• Adult Day Program -- in person and virtual care
• Diabetes Education Program -- assessment, consultation, group education
• Wellness and Community Development Program -- in person and virtual platform
• Vocational Training Centre -- in person and virtual platform

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Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3 pm, weekday and weekend extended hours

• for persons 55 years and older with special needs such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack
• personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, massage therapy
• transportation available
• fee

Overnight Stay Program -- respite care (caregiver relief) program for persons with cognitive impairment or dementia and seniors in need of services, stays up to three months, meals, snacks, showering services *

• laundry -- fee
• personal care and health related services provided by personal support workers including medication reminders, personal hygiene, feeding

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services, individual support and self help group

• public education, seminars, workshops
• information and referral

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars, caregiver education and support
• information and referral
• workshop licensed by Stanford University

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas, retirement groups, seniors self help groups

• community, wellness and health education
• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- escort to medical appointments, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting, grocery shopping, client intervention and assistance -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care

• care coordination
• scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home, health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Wellness and Social Program -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 50 years and older, drop-in centre, friendship groups, interest classes, outings