Help Lines in Canada

If you are at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital emergency department for urgent support.

All services listed below are confidential and judgment-free.
Your safety, privacy, and dignity are prioritized.

  1. Language support is available.
    Many services offer multilingual responders to help reduce communication barriers.

  2. You deserve a good fit.
    If you don’t feel emotionally connected to a crisis responder, it’s okay to exit and rejoin the queue for a better match. Trust your instincts — your comfort matters.

  3. Support is available 24/7.
    Whether you prefer to call, text, or email, you can reach out anytime — support is here when you need it most.

Emergency Numbers by Region:

  • Canada: 911

  • United States: 911

  • Mexico: 911

  • United Kingdom: 999 or 112

  • European Union (EU countries): 112

  • Australia: 000

  • New Zealand: 111

  • India: 112

  • Japan: 110 (police) / 119 (fire and ambulance)

  • South Africa: 10111 (police) / 112 (mobile phones)

  • China: 110 (police) / 120 (ambulance) / 119 (fire)

National Crisis and Mental Health Support Services

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline

  • Call or Text: 9-8-8

  • Availability: 24/7, nationwide

  • Languages: English and French

  • Description: Provides immediate, confidential support for individuals in distress or those concerned about someone else. Trained responders offer compassionate, culturally sensitive assistance.

  • Website: 988.ca

Talk Suicide Canada

  • Call: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)

  • Text: 45645 (Available 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM EST)

  • Description: Offers nationwide support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or concerned about someone else. Texting service provides anonymous crisis support.

  • Website: talksuicide.ca

Kids Help Phone

  • Call: 1-800-668-6868 (24/7)

  • Text: Text CONNECT to 686868

  • Live Chat: Available via kidshelpphone.ca

  • Description: Free, confidential support for youth and young adults across Canada, offering counseling and information on a wide range of issues.

Hope for Wellness Help Line

  • Call: 1-855-242-3310 (24/7)

  • Chat: Available at hopeforwellness.ca

  • Languages: English, French, and upon request, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut

  • Description: Provides immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Trans Lifeline

  • Call: 1-877-330-6366

  • Availability: 24/7

  • Description: Peer support service run by trans people for trans and questioning individuals. Offers confidential and non-judgmental support.

Provincial and Specialized Support Services

British Columbia

  • 310-Mental Health Support

    • Call: 310-6789 (no area code needed)

    • Availability: 24/7

    • Description: Provides emotional support, information, and resources for mental health concerns.

  • VictimLinkBC

    • Call/Text: 1-800-563-0808

    • Email: VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca

    • Availability: 24/7

    • Languages: Multiple languages available

    • Description: Offers support for victims of crime, including sexual assault and domestic violence.

  • WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre

    • Local (Vancouver): 604-255-6344

    • Toll-Free: 1-877-392-7583

    • Description: Provides support services to survivors of sexualized violence, including a 24-hour crisis line.

Ontario

  • Toronto Distress Centre

    • Call: 416-408-4357

    • Text: 45645 (Available 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM EST)

    • Description: Offers 24/7 support for individuals in distress, crisis, or suicidal situations.

  • Gerstein Crisis Centre

    • Call: 416-929-5200

    • Description: Provides community-based crisis support for adults experiencing mental health issues.

  • Progress Place Warm Line

    • Call: 416-960-9276 or 416-323-3721

    • Availability: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM and 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM

    • Description: Offers peer support for individuals feeling lonely, isolated, or in need of someone to talk to.

  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline

    • Call: 1-866-863-0511 or 416-863-0511 (GTA)

    • Availability: 24/7

    • Languages: Support available in up to 154 languages

    • Description: Provides crisis counseling, safety planning, and support for women experiencing abuse.

Youth and Student Support

  • Good2Talk (Post-Secondary Students in Ontario)

    • Call: 1-866-925-5454

    • Availability: 24/7

    • Description: Offers free, confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario.

  • LGBT Youth Line

    • Call: 1-800-268-9688

    • Text: 647-694-4275

    • Availability: Sunday to Friday, 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM

    • Description: Peer support service for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Ontario.

Seniors Support

  • Seniors Safety Line

    • Call: 1-866-299-1011

    • Availability: 24/7

    • Description: Provides support for seniors experiencing abuse, neglect, or isolation.

  • Toronto Seniors Helpline

    • Call: 416-217-2077

    • Description: Offers access to services and supports for seniors in Toronto.

Substance Use and Harm Reduction

  • National Overdose Response Service (NORS)

    • Call: 1-888-688-6677

    • Availability: 24/7

    • Description: Provides supervised support for individuals using substances alone to prevent overdose deaths.

  • Toronto Withdrawal Management Services

    • Call: 1-866-366-9513

    • Description: Offers support and referrals for individuals seeking withdrawal management or detox services.

Previous
Previous

How To Reduce Waste

Next
Next

To Print and Practice: A List of Tools