Searching for Crisis Lines

Provides shelter and services for women and children experiencing abuse. Services include:

• 24-hour support line (call or text - 905-356-5800)
• Counselling and emotional support for women and children/youth who are being or who have been abused
• Development of safety plans
• Transitional and housing support
• Public education programs
• Referrals

Family Court Support Worker Program -- information on the family court process * assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid) * referral to specialized services and supports in the community * safety planning * court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Services are available on an in-shelter or office visit basis.

Provides a free, confidential, 24-hour distress line.

• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

ONTX provides emotional support, crisis and suicide intervention through text or instant message for those individual who many not want to receive support face to face or speak over the phone. Text 258258 or visit website to connect by instant message.

Provides support, individual and group counselling to women, men, victims/survivors of human trafficking and others who have experienced rape, sexual assault, incest and childhood sexual abuse * 24 hour crisis support line - offering support/information for recent or past rape, sexual assault and abuse

Individual/group counselling and theme-based workshops for survivors * Support also available for family and friends * Outreach counselling available at several locations throughout Niagara region including Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Welland and West Lincoln

Hospital Response Workers provide accompaniment, emotional support and advocacy for victims attending the St Catharines hospital for medical care and/or Sexual Assault Evidence Kit collection (up to 7 day post assault) * Information, accompaniment and referrals to other agencies also available during police investigation and court proceedings

Volunteer Program: Contact office for more information

Public speakers available for community groups and high schools on various topics including: Sexual assault awareness and prevention * Date rape * Sexual harassment * Childhood sexual abuse prevention * Self defence

Ongoing education program: * Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program for grades 1-6 * Youth Issues Prevention Program for grades 7-8 * Film, handouts and interactive discussions

Workshops available for professionals who come into contact with survivors of sexual assault and/or their families

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (west region)

COVID-19: Continuing to use methods other than face to face sessions to provide mental health services to children, youth and their families. Crisis and Support Line remains open 24/7.

A mobile crisis intervention service providing immediate telephone counselling and, if necessary, on-site crisis intervention in the home, school, or other community location. Counsellors have access to psychiatric and psychologist consultation.

Crisis staff are able to go out to a crisis situation after information is collected over the phone and an on-site intervention is assessed as appropriate. For safety reasons, Crisis services will not go into violent situations where there is risk of client or staff harm. These situations require police involvement. If appropriate, intervention can occur after the violence has de-escalated in order to prevent an intensification of the crisis.

Services include: Crisis counselling, family support, referrals to resources, advocacy, community information, workshops (see Coping With Stress in the Family), access to psychiatric consultation, and crisis bed.

Network made up of volunteers from many community groups that work toward the prevention of elder abuse

Emergency Response Team - committee meets within 24 hours of a potentially abusive situation being identified to create a strategy to address the abuse

Education and Awareness - trained presenters provide workshops to community groups

• sessions include identifying and defining abuse and neglect, prevention, intervention, and support for older adults who have been abused

Provides telephone support and mobile intervention to persons who are in crisis and have a mental health concern

• mobile team of mental health professionals and specially trained, plain-clothed police officers may also visit to help those in crisis remain safe in their own environment and connect with ongoing care
• help is available Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day
• not an emergency response unit
• if your situation is a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1
• COAST is provided through a partnership of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region Branch and the Halton Regional Police Service

Provides a range of free mental health services for children and youth from birth to 17, as well as their families

• Crisis Line provides immediate support for children and youth, their parents/caregivers, and community members

Programs and services include:

• Aberdeen House: co-ed live-in treatment program for youth ages 12 to 15
• Access and System Navigation: one point of access for those who require information or services from a community-based mental health agency in Halton
• Autism and Behavioural Services: delivered by therapists with experience providing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) services to children and youth
• Coordinated Service Planning: supports families who are involved with multiple services
• Danielle's Place: offers groups that promote body confidence for female-identifying and non-binary youth ages 8 to 16 (and their siblings)
• EarlyON Child and Family Centres: programs encourage children's social, emotional and developmental milestones and opportunities for growth
• Nelson Youth Centres: group treatment and counselling for children in grades 1 to 8
• Queer@ROCK: prevention-based programming and supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ children, youth, and families
• ROCK Hubs: integrated virtual and in-person services and supports, increased access to mental health, and early intervention and prevention services
• Virtual Walk-in Clinic: provides quick access to a single-session therapeutic conversation that focuses on immediate issues

Other ROCK offices in Halton include: Acton, Georgetown, Milton and Oakville

Regular group meetings of a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The regular meeting list is available online.

Working in partnership with community service agencies, the HRPS' Elder Services Unit responds and assists seniors and their families in a number of key areas, including:

• issues of neglect
• financial abuse
• physical and/or psychological mistreatment

To deter and prevent the perpetuation of crime against seniors living and working in the community, the Halton Regional Police Service Elder Services Unit offers a series of topical presentations to older adults, their families and service providers.

HRPS' Elder Services Unit consists of three Seniors Crime Investigators, an Elder Services Coordinator, District Community Response Officers and the Victim Services Unit.

A regional enforcement unit, supervised by a Detective Sergeant, divided into three teams of specially trained investigators, two drug teams and one human trafficking team, who investigate all major drug and Human Trafficking matters in the Region of Halton

• teams work in conjunction with all three districts in the Halton Region

The unit is responsible for:

• human trafficking investigations (both domestic and international - including but not limited to the sex trade, forced labour or domestic servitude)
• prostitution investigation (including street prostitution, escort services and disorderly houses - common bawdy houses)
• adult entertainment premises investigations (including commercial massage parlours)
• gaming-related investigations
• liquor licence premises investigations

Human trafficking is the exploitation, manipulation or control of a person by violence, or threats of violence, to provide a sexual service or forced labour.

To provide confidential information or tips related to human trafficking contact:

• HRPS Drug and Human Trafficking Unit, 905-825-4747 ext 5331 or email HTVICE@haltonpolice.ca

For more information about the Halton Regional Police Service Drug and Human Trafficking Unit, contact:

• 905-825-4747 ext. 5331, or email Drugs@haltonpolice.ca

Confidential telephone support and crisis intervention. Provides referrals to local community supports and inpatient programs including the Good Shepherd Barrett Centre for Crisis Support.

A free and confidential hotline that people with addictions can call to hear messages to help with cravings for alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

Offers family support and education to families and friends of those living with complex mental health needs in the community

Services include:

• free virtual workshops * Go to www.iamentalhealth.ca/media-events/events
• IDEAS family support group: confidential small group meetings held monthly offering support for families who are caring for a loved one who has a serious mental illness or lives with a substance use problem * held at Joseph Brant Wellness House, Board Room, 2160 Itabashi way, Burlington
• Support line - staffed by a team of mental health counsellors who provide individualized supportive counseling, system navigation, and customized information and education to caregivers, individuals living with chronic mental illness, contact: 1-855-449-9949 or www.iamentalhealth.ca/Find-Support/Individuals
• 4-week course called Strengthening Families Together for families of individuals with a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia
• Justice and Mental Health (JAMH): for families needing support when a loved one living with mental illness comes into contact with the law
• discusses clinical treatment, provides information about the illness, and teaches skills that family members need to cope more effectively
• public forums with guest speakers providing support and education for families of those with schizophrenia
• advocacy in the community for services required by people with schizophrenia to live in the community
• public awareness and education
• raising funds for research into a cause and cure for schizophrenia
• holds the annual Peace of Minds Walk in May and an annual Peace of Minds Yogathon in February

The Salvation Army Crisis / Hope Line providing telephone and intervention to individuals experiencing crisis.

Peer-run and peer-driven remote safe consumption line

• provides support to clients and mitigate risk of overdose fatalities
• provides stigma-free space
• dispatches emergency resources where required
• provides links to additional care, services and resources as required

Volunteer opportunities are available

Emergency shelter, capacity 32

• counselling and referrals
• advocacy and follow up
• court and immigration escort
• children's program and counselling
• legal and housing assistance

Transitional Housing and Outreach Support Program (TH&O)
Community-based support in obtaining affordable housing, including counselling, assistance accessing food supports, outreach, workshops and speakers bureau

COVID19 Call crisis line 416-724-1316 for intake, assessment and COVID19 procedures

Emergency short term shelter, capacity 35

• crisis intervention and counselling
• information and referral
• advocacy, awareness and education
• supportive groups for women and children
• children's programs
• average stay 6-8 weeks
• public education

Information and referral to community support services to meet long term needs including crisis and follow-up services



Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario

Crisis intervention and culturally sensitive counselling, support and referral * support for families and friends of survivors * support groups * information on alternatives to legal justice system * court support, accompaniment and advocacy program * research, public education, workshops * comprehensive volunteer training * all services confidential * trans-positive environment

Services for seniors 65 years and older

• supportive and crisis counseling
• emotional support for loneliness and isolation
• short-term crisis management and referral
• service in-person (through COSS) if necessary
• supportive counselling over the phone, risk assessments, crisis de-escalation and triage to COSS (Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors) and behaviour supports

Information and referral for support services including:

• adult day programs for frail seniors or those with dementias, case management, congregate dining, crisis support, foot care, home assistance, hospice care, meals on wheels, medical escort, nursing, respite care for caregiver relief, security checks, shopping assistance, social contact, transportation
• intensive case management
• mental health and addictions support

A partnership between Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), WoodGreen Community Services and Les Centres d'Accueil Heritage

Francophone helpline for women

• crisis intervention
• support and referral to community agencies
• confidential calls

24-hour telephone crisis and support line, includes emotional support, safety planning and information and referrals; live chat includes confidential and anonymous online counselling

Telephone and online (chat) crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for abused women

• liaison with diverse communities
• confidential and anonymous

Toronto only: initial assessment and intake for assaulted women's shelters, call 416-863-0511 or toll free 1-866-863-0511

COVID19 Telephone support line 1-833-900-1010 and online chat available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; for local services, visit website for Referral Directory; in an emergency call 911

Confidential, victim-centered phone line and online chat connecting victims and survivors with social services, local emergency services including law enforcement, and transition and long-term supports/services (also receives tips from the public)

Referral directory

• online directory of services
• online library of resources

COVID19 For support call Crisis Line 416-408-4357 (Mon-Sun 24 hours), or send text to 45645 (Mon-Sun 4 pm-12 midnight)

Telephone assistance to persons in need of immediate emotional support and reassurance, and crisis intervention or suicide prevention, including links to other emergency services or professional help as appropriate; support available on a variety of issues

• emotional distress
• marginalization and/or social isolation
• family violence
• mental health crisis
• risk of suicide
• addictions
• mental and physical health concerns

For Survivor Support and Telecheck Seniors programs, see separate listings